Chelated Iron EDTA Fertilizer
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Water-soluble iron micronutrient · 13.2% Fe · EDTA chelated
About Chelated Iron EDTA 13.2% Fe
Chelated Iron EDTA is a fully chelated, water-soluble powdered iron fertilizer with a guaranteed 13.2% iron, all of it chelated by EDTA. Use it to prevent or correct a confirmed iron deficiency through the soil, through drip, sprinkler, or furrow irrigation, or as a buffered foliar spray when soil application is impractical, or as the weighed iron ingredient in a hydroponic or fertigation recipe. It supplies iron only; it is not a complete fertilizer.
Its defining limitation is pH. Of the three chelates compared on this page it carries the most iron per pound, but it holds that iron only in acid to mildly alkaline conditions: University of Florida IFAS reports EDTA-chelated iron fully chelated at pH 6.0 and only about 2.5% chelated at pH 7.5. Measure root-zone or solution pH before you buy, and confirm that the yellowing is iron deficiency.
- pH 7.0 and below The buying test for soil. Above about pH 7.0, Chelated Iron DTPA is the step up; hold nutrient solutions at pH 5–6
- 4–12 lb / acre Manufacturer soil rate for vegetable and field crops by product weight (4–15 lb for tree and vine crops, ¾ lb per 1,000 sq ft for turf). Individual-tree, foliar, and reservoir directions are in Application rates
- 1–25 lb bags Four sizes; the size calculator below weighs the dose for your area, trees, spray, or reservoir and recommends a bag
Product facts & composition
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 13.20% |
| Chelated iron (Fe) | 13.20%. The label declares all of the iron as chelated. |
| Derived from | Iron monosodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (FeNaEDTA). The safety data sheet identifies the material as ferric EDTA, sodium salt, CAS 15708-41-5, at 90–100% of the product. |
| Nitrogen, phosphate, potash | None declared. This is a micronutrient source, not an N–P₂O₅–K₂O fertilizer. |
| Physical form | Fully chelated, water-soluble powder |
| Solubility | Dissolves in water or fluid fertilizer and can be dry-blended with water-soluble fertilizers (manufacturer’s label). Light degrades Fe-EDTA in solution; see How it works. |
| Hazard classification (SDS, June 2023) | Not classified as a physical or health hazard under OSHA HazCom 2012; no signal word. Classified hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute and long-term category 3 (harmful to aquatic life, with long-lasting effects). The package label directs: keep out of reach of children, harmful if swallowed, avoid eye contact and dust. |
| Package sizes | 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, and 25 lb |
| Name and address on the label | Greenway Biotech, Inc., 17861 Road 24, Madera, California 93638 |
Percentages are by weight of product: 1 oz of product contains 0.13 oz (3.7 g) of iron, a 1 lb bag contains 2.11 oz (59.9 g) of iron, and a 25 lb bag contains 3.3 lb of iron. Every rate on this page is stated as product weight; the elemental iron it delivers is shown beside it. In solution, 1 gram of product dissolved in 1 liter of final solution supplies 132 mg/L of iron.
Best uses & benefits
Choose this product when the diagnosis, and a pH reading, point to one of these situations. Yellow leaves have many causes, and iron chlorosis in particular is usually a symptom of soil conditions rather than of a soil that lacks iron.
Preventing or correcting iron deficiency in acid to mildly alkaline soil
The manufacturer’s label recommends this chelate for acid and mildly alkaline soils and states that soil application is the preferred use. Vegetable, field, tree, vine, and ornamental crops are listed, applied broadcast, under the drip line, or through irrigation. Colorado State University Extension suggests EDTA and DTPA chelates for acid to slightly alkaline soils and reserves special high-pH chelates for soils above pH 7.5.
The highest-analysis iron chelate for soil at or below about pH 7.0
At 13.2% iron, this product carries more iron per pound than Chelated Iron DTPA 11% Fe and roughly twice as much as the 6% Fe-EDDHA product UMass Extension describes. Where the root zone is acid to mildly alkaline, that analysis is the reason to choose EDTA; as pH rises the advantage is lost to chelate breakdown, and DTPA or EDDHA becomes the sound choice.
The iron line in a hydroponic or fertigation recipe held at pH 5–6
A single-nutrient, water-soluble iron source for a complete nutrient program, dosed by weight to the iron concentration your recipe specifies. Account for the chelated iron your base fertilizer already supplies, keep the solution out of light, and choose DTPA instead if your system routinely drifts above pH 6.5.
Foliar correction when soil treatment is impractical
The manufacturer’s label gives buffered foliar sprays for vegetable, field, tree, vine, citrus, and turf uses with per-acre rates, minimum spray volumes, and timing. A foliar spray reaches the leaf regardless of soil pH, but it treats only the leaves it covers and does not change the soil condition that caused the deficiency.
Where it is a poor fit
- Yellowing that has not been diagnosed. Overwatering, compaction, and girdling roots predispose plants to the same chlorosis by limiting soil air and root function. Manganese and zinc deficiencies look similar but usually appear first on older leaves; iron chlorosis appears first on the youngest. Yellowing that starts on older, lower leaves more often points to nitrogen or magnesium, where Epsom salt supplies magnesium and sulfur.
- Root zones above about pH 7.0. As pH rises, EDTA gives up its iron: IFAS puts it at about 2.5% still chelated at pH 7.5. Chelated Iron DTPA is the practical step up to about pH 7.5, and calcareous soils above that call for an Fe-EDDHA product, which Greenway does not currently sell. The comparison below explains the choice.
- Crops sensitive to excess iron. UMass and UConn Extension list marigolds and zonal and seed geraniums as prone to iron toxicity, and warn that concentrated iron left on foliage and flowers can cause brown or black spots. Start at the low end of any range on ornamental and bedding crops, rinse excess solution off foliage and flowers immediately, and do not stack a soil application and a foliar spray in the same week.
- A pH or water-alkalinity problem you expect the chelate to fix. Fe-EDTA supplies available iron. It does not lower pH or neutralize bicarbonate; manage those separately, for example with the amendments in our acid-loving plant fertilizer guide.
- Concentrated spot or band applications made at a broadcast rate. The manufacturer warns that using broadcast rates for spot or banded applications may cause phytotoxicity.
- Home lawns treated by the label’s turf directions. The manufacturer’s turf rates are marked for professional use only and carry water-protection restrictions; they are shown under Application rates & directions for professional applicators, not as a homeowner lawn program.
- A complete fertilizer. This product supplies iron only. A crop short of nitrogen, phosphate, or potash will not respond to it.
Application rates & directions
Every rate below is product weight unless the label prints a volume. The complete direction set comes from the manufacturer’s label for this 13.2% iron EDTA — the manufacturer’s specimen label for this exact analysis, held on file by Greenway Biotech. It carries soil and fertigation rates per acre with the label’s crop lists, a turf rate per 1,000 sq ft, an individual-tree rate per inch of trunk diameter, ornamental directions as printed, and foliar and aerial rates with spray volumes, timing, and pH buffering. The directions printed on your Greenway package are described separately below. University Extension context has its own headings, and every source is listed under Product documents & sources. Confirm iron deficiency and measure root-zone pH before applying any of these; the manufacturer recommends this chelate for acid and mildly alkaline soils.
Weigh it. This product’s density has not been measured, so no gram equivalent is given for the tablespoon measures the manufacturer prints for ornamental shrubs and trees; use those measures as printed. Everything else is weighed: a scale reading to 0.1 g for garden, tree, and reservoir amounts, and pounds on a larger scale for field, orchard, and turf blocks.
Manufacturer directions: soil and fertigation
| Crop group (as listed on the label) | Label rate | Per 1,000 sq ft | Elemental iron per acre | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable crops: beans, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes | 4–12 lb per acre | 1.47–4.41 oz (41.7–125 g) | 0.53–1.58 lb Fe | Dissolve in water or fluid fertilizer, or dry-blend with water-soluble fertilizers, for uniform coverage; or dissolve and meter into drip, sprinkler, or furrow irrigation |
| Field crops: alfalfa, corn, dry beans, peas, forage grasses, rice, safflower, sorghum, sugar beets, sugarcane | 4–12 lb per acre | 1.47–4.41 oz (41.7–125 g) | 0.53–1.58 lb Fe | Same |
| Tree and vine crops: almond, apple, apricot, avocado, berry, cherry, citrus, grape, mango, olive, pear, peach, pistachio, plum, walnut | 4–15 lb per acre, or 1–4 oz per inch of tree diameter for individual trees | 1.47–5.51 oz (41.7–156 g) | 0.53–1.98 lb Fe | Per acre for a planted block. For individual trees, blend the weighed amount with an inert such as soil or sand, or sprinkle it directly and uniformly on the soil under the drip line, then water in |
| Ornamental shrubs and trees: azaleas, gardenias, junipers, pines, roses | 2 tbsp for small shrubs, up to 2 tbsp per inch of tree diameter for large trees and shrubs (volume as printed; no gram equivalent) | — | — | Apply as for individual trees, under the drip line, then water in; the label prints the tablespoon amounts for these species |
| Turf (professional use only) | ¾ lb per 1,000 sq ft, or 33 lb per acre | 12 oz (340 g) | 4.31 lb Fe (4.36 lb at the label’s rounded 33 lb per acre) | Dissolve and apply uniformly, or meter into irrigation. Do not apply near water, storm drains, or drainage ditches, or if heavy rain is expected; sweep product off pavement back onto the turf |
The manufacturer’s rates are for broadcast application; its label warns that using them for spot or banded applications may cause phytotoxicity. Greenway’s own condition on every rate here: start at the low end unless a soil or tissue interpretation for the crop supports more, measure the area actually treated, spread or meter the weighed amount uniformly, water it in, and make one application per confirmed need rather than a standing schedule — then reassess the crop and the pH before treating again. Colorado State University Extension advises treating the soil in spring for best results, notes that iron treatments made mid-season may not produce satisfactory results, and reports that a soil chelate application may last anywhere from less than a season to two years depending on conditions.
Individual trees and vines: the per-inch direction
For a single tree or vine, the manufacturer’s label gives 1–4 oz of product per inch of trunk diameter (28–113 g per inch). Measure the trunk diameter, multiply, and start at 1 oz per inch unless the diagnosis supports more. Worked example: a 4-inch-diameter apple tree has a range of 4–16 oz (113–454 g) of product, delivering 15–60 g of iron; begin at 4 oz. Sprinkle it uniformly on the soil under the drip line, or blend it with soil or sand first, keep it off the trunk, and water it in.
Which direction applies to which plant. The label prints two different directions that can both seem to fit a woody plant. Use the tablespoon direction for the ornamental species the label names — azaleas, gardenias, junipers, pines, roses. Use the 1–4 oz per inch direction for the fruit, nut, and vine species in the tree and vine list. For a planted orchard or vineyard block, use the per-acre rate instead of the per-inch rate. Do not add two directions together.
Manufacturer directions: foliar and aerial application
| Crop group | Label rate | Spray volume | Timing and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable and field crops, ground equipment | ⅓–1⅓ lb per acre (151–605 g) | Sufficient for thorough coverage, 25 gal per acre minimum | When iron deficiency is confirmed and soil application is impractical |
| Tree and vine crops, excluding citrus | 1–2 lb per acre (454–907 g) | Sufficient for thorough coverage, 25 gal per acre minimum | Dormant or delayed dormant before bloom (a dormant-season application, before leaves emerge), then after full bloom at 2–3 week intervals as needed |
| Deciduous crops with fruit present | 1 lb per acre (454 g) | 50–100 gal per acre | Reduced rate and higher spray volume while fruit is on the tree |
| Citrus | 1–2 lb per 100 gal of cover spray (4.5–9.1 g per gallon) | Full cover spray | Any time except during bloom |
| Turf (professional use only) | 1–4 oz per 1,000 sq ft (28–113 g); 1–3 oz per 1,000 sq ft when a growth regulator is in the same spray | Sufficient for thorough coverage | Water-protection restrictions as for soil use; sweep product off pavement back onto the turf |
| Aerial application | ⅓ lb per acre (151 g) | At least 10 gal per acre | Aerial application as directed on the manufacturer’s label; follow the applicable foliar timing |
For every foliar use: buffer the spray solution to pH 6–6.5 after diluting, apply enough volume for thorough coverage (the label notes that coverage and wetting agents often enhance uptake), and do not spray plants that are suffering from moisture stress. The manufacturer permits application in water or in combination with most pesticides; when there is any doubt, apply the spray to a small test area of the crop first to check for phytotoxicity. Start at the low end of a range. The citrus figure is a cover-spray concentration for citrus only — every other foliar direction here is a weight per acre or per 1,000 sq ft, and none of them should be converted into a general per-gallon mixing rate for another crop. Colorado State University Extension adds that leaves not covered by the spray stay chlorotic and that complete coverage of a large tree is impractical, which is why soil application is the preferred route for trees. These are the manufacturer’s directions for this exact analysis; they do not transfer to ferrous sulfate, Fe-DTPA, or any other iron product.
Container and houseplants
No weighed container rate has been verified for this product. The direction printed on the Greenway package for pots is a volume measure with no measured density behind it, and the manufacturer’s label covers field, orchard, turf, and landscape uses only. If you are treating containers, dose by solution instead: use the reservoir method below at the iron concentration your feeding program specifies, and apply enough solution to wet the whole root ball. Email questions@greenwaybiotech.com with your plant, pot size, and current feeding program and we will work it out with you.
If the directions on your bag differ
Your Greenway package carries the same guaranteed analysis and prints its own directions in household measures (teaspoons or tablespoons per gallon, teaspoons per pot). This page states weighed rates only, because no bulk density has been measured for this powder and a spoonful is not a reliable weight of it. Read the label on your package before you apply, and if you want the two reconciled for your situation first, email questions@greenwaybiotech.com with a photo of the panel.
Hydroponic and fertigation solutions
The manufacturer’s label covers fertigation as a way to deliver the soil rates above through irrigation. It gives no target concentration for a recirculating hydroponic reservoir, and no single iron concentration fits every crop and recipe, so this page does not pick one for you. University of Florida IFAS, for example, formulates hydroponic tomato solutions at 2.8 mg/L iron from a chelated iron source across all growth stages; your recipe may differ. Take the iron target from your complete recipe, subtract only the chelated iron your base fertilizer or another chelated source already supplies, and dose the difference. Iron in raw source water is usually not in a plant-available chelated form: it oxidizes and precipitates at the pH your solution runs at, and it fouls emitters rather than feeding the crop, so have the water analyzed and treat that iron as a water-quality question rather than counting it toward the recipe target. Hold the nutrient solution at pH 5–6, the range Oklahoma State University Extension recommends for soilless culture so that the root zone stays at 6–6.5; a system that routinely runs above pH 6.5 is better served by Chelated Iron DTPA. An EC or TDS meter measures total dissolved salts and cannot tell you the iron concentration.
Dosing by weight. Product (g) = additional iron needed (mg/L) × final solution volume (L) ÷ 132. One gram of product in one liter supplies 132 mg/L of iron, so 2.87 g raises 100 US gal (378.5 L) by 1 mg/L. Dissolve the weighed amount in water first and add it to a dilute, compatible solution, never to a concentrated phosphate stock tank. No maximum stock concentration has been verified for this product: mix injector stocks well below saturation, stir until the solution is completely clear with no undissolved particles, and screen the stock before it reaches the injector. Shade or cover the reservoir and any stock container: Fe-EDTA breaks down in light.
Worked example: a 100 US gal reservoir (378.5 L), recipe target 2.8 mg/L Fe, with 0.3 mg/L already supplied by the base fertilizer. Additional iron = 2.5 mg/L × 378.5 L = 946 mg, which is 946 ÷ 132 = 7.2 g of product. Small doses: when the calculated amount is under 1 g, make a 10.0 g/L measuring stock (weigh 10.0 g, dissolve, make up to exactly 1,000 mL; each mL holds 1.32 mg of iron) and measure mL of stock = mg of iron ÷ 1.32 with graduated equipment, not spoons. Label the stock, keep it out of light, and keep it secured.
How to use Chelated Iron EDTA
- Diagnose first. Iron deficiency shows as yellow tissue between green veins on the youngest leaves, because iron moves poorly within the plant. Check drainage, compaction, root health, and the complete nutrient program, then determine root-zone pH by a soil test. Use EDTA where soil pH is at or below about 7.0; above that, Chelated Iron DTPA is the step up, and above about pH 7.5 an EDDHA chelate is the reliable route.
- Choose the exact crop and method. Pick the manufacturer’s row for your crop group and method: broadcast or fertigation by acre, turf by 1,000 sq ft, individual trees by trunk diameter, ornamentals by the printed tablespoon direction, or a foliar spray by acre or by gallons of cover spray. Do not transfer a broadcast rate to a spot, band, or foliar application.
- Measure, then weigh. Record the area actually treated, the trunk diameter of each tree, the spray volume, or the reservoir volume and the chelated iron already in it. The calculator applies the documented rate; weigh the result on a scale.
- Apply uniformly. Soil: dissolve in water or fluid fertilizer, or dry-blend with a water-soluble fertilizer, spread or meter it evenly over the measured area, and water in; individual trees under the drip line. On a small bed, do not try to broadcast a few grams of dry powder — dissolve the weighed amount completely in enough water to wet the measured area evenly, apply that solution, then water in with plain water. Foliar: dissolve in the full spray volume, buffer to pH 6–6.5, and cover thoroughly; do not spray moisture-stressed plants. Reservoirs: dissolve first, add to the dilute solution, shade the tank.
- Monitor before repeating. Colorado State University Extension reports that foliar sprays of iron chelates on woody plants may give a quick response, often in a matter of days, while improvement from a soil treatment may be noticed over a period of months to years. Watch the newly expanding leaves, reassess the crop and the pH before any second soil application, and repeat foliar sprays only at the label interval as needed.
Calculator & choosing a size
Formulas. Square feet ÷ 43,560 = acres; multiply pounds by 453.6 for grams.
- Soil by area: product (lb) = acres × 4–12 lb for vegetable and field crops, or 4–15 lb for tree and vine blocks.
- Turf (professional use only): product (lb) = square feet ÷ 1,000 × ¾.
- Individual trees or vines: product (oz) = trunk diameter (inches) × 1 to 4, per tree.
- Foliar by area: product (lb) = acres × ⅓–1⅓ lb for vegetable and field crops, 1–2 lb for trees and vines, 1 lb with fruit present, or ⅓ lb aerial — in at least 25 gal per acre (50–100 gal with fruit present; 10 gal aerial).
- Citrus cover spray: product (lb) = gallons of spray ÷ 100 × 1 to 2.
- Turf spray: product (oz) = square feet ÷ 1,000 × 1 to 4 (1 to 3 with a growth regulator).
- Reservoir: product (g) = (recipe target − chelated iron already present, in mg/L) × final liters ÷ 132.
Worked examples. A 2,000 sq ft vegetable bed with confirmed iron chlorosis: 2,000 ÷ 43,560 × 4–12 lb = 0.18–0.55 lb, which is 83–250 g; start at 83 g, and a 1 lb bag covers it. One 4-inch apple tree: 4 × 1 to 4 oz = 4–16 oz (113–454 g), start at 4 oz; a 1 lb bag. A 100 gal reservoir at a 2.8 mg/L target with 0.3 mg/L already present: 2.5 × 378.5 ÷ 132 = 7.2 g.
The calculator below applies these directions, shows the full range with the conservative end as the starting amount, states the iron delivered and, for sprays, the minimum spray volume, and recommends the lowest-price bag combination that covers the starting amount for one application (and the least-leftover combination when that differs). Prices, tax, and shipping are confirmed at checkout, and availability is confirmed when you add to cart.
The calculator needs JavaScript. If it does not appear, use the formulas and worked examples above to choose a size.
How iron EDTA works
Iron is abundant in most soils but becomes unavailable as pH rises: University of Florida IFAS notes that ferrous iron oxidizes to the plant-unavailable ferric form above about pH 5.3, that several factors reduce iron availability including high soil pH and high bicarbonate content, and that iron deficiency often occurs once soil pH exceeds 7.4. A chelating agent wraps the iron ion in a soluble complex that resists that precipitation and immobilization on its way to the root. How long the complex holds depends on the agent and the pH. IFAS reports that at pH 6.0 all three common iron chelates are fully stable, while at pH 7.5 only EDDHA-iron remains fully chelated, DTPA-iron is about half chelated, and EDTA-iron is about 2.5% chelated. Read that as a trend rather than a cutoff: the further above pH 6.0 your root zone or solution measures, the less of the applied iron the EDTA chelate holds. Near pH 6 it is the highest-analysis choice on this page; approaching pH 7.5 it is a poor one.
Crop trials point the same way. In a 2025 Utah State University study of basil and soybean grown in soilless media from pH 6.0 to 7.8, the EDTA and EDDHA chelates produced no significant biomass difference in either crop at pH 6.0. In basil, biomass fell steadily as pH rose, and above pH 7.0 the EDDHA chelate produced significantly more growth. In soybean the two chelates did not differ until pH 7.8. Crop sensitivity, not pH alone, decides how much ground EDTA loses.
Inside the plant, iron is needed for chlorophyll synthesis and for the electron-transport proteins of photosynthesis and respiration. It is barely mobile once in the tissue, so a shortage shows first as interveinal chlorosis on the youngest leaves. Colorado State University Extension adds that overwatering, compaction, and girdling roots predispose plants to the same symptom by limiting soil air and effective rooting, which is why diagnosis precedes treatment.
Fe-EDTA is sensitive to light in solution. Albano and Miller (HortTechnology, 2001) exposed commercial soluble-fertilizer solutions containing Fe-EDTA to fluorescent and incandescent lamps and found that both the iron chelate and the soluble iron were substantially lost over ten days — on average 88% of the total iron — as a yellow-tan iron precipitate formed. The authors conclude that growers can prevent the loss by keeping the fertilizer stock tank impervious to light. Opaque or shaded reservoirs and stock containers preserve the dose. Fe-EDTA supplies available iron; it does not acidify the root zone or remove bicarbonate alkalinity. The evidence above concerns iron chelates generally; it is not a trial of this finished product.
Compare your options
The chelating agent, not the iron itself, decides how high a pH the product tolerates. Match the chelate to your measured root-zone or solution pH. Analyses are each product’s label guarantee as shown on its page.
| Option | Iron | Choose it when | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelated Iron EDTA 13.2% Fe, this product | 13.2% Fe, chelated with EDTA | Acid to mildly alkaline soils up to about pH 7.0, fertigation, buffered foliar sprays on listed crops, and nutrient solutions held at pH 5–6, where it carries the most iron per pound of the three chelates here | About 2.5% chelated at pH 7.5; degrades in light; does not lower pH |
| Chelated Iron DTPA 11% Fe | 11% Fe, chelated with DTPA | Neutral to moderately alkaline root zones, and recirculating or aquaponic systems that run above the range EDTA tolerates | About half chelated at pH 7.5; lower iron content per pound than EDTA |
| Fe-EDDHA chelate (not a Greenway product) | Lower analysis; the Fe-EDDHA product UMass Extension describes is 6% Fe | Strongly alkaline and calcareous soils above about pH 7.5, where IFAS reports it remains fully chelated | Lower iron content per pound; not sold by Greenway |
| Organic Ferrous Sulfate 20% Fe | 20% Fe as ferrous sulfate, unchelated | Acidic soils, programs that specifically call for iron sulfate, and where sulfur is wanted as well | Unchelated iron oxidizes and precipitates as pH rises; a poor fit for recirculating solutions |
For the general comparison of sulfate and chelated forms, read sulfate vs. chelated fertilizers.
Handling, storage & limitations
- Classification. The safety data sheet (June 2023) does not classify this product as a physical or health hazard under OSHA HazCom 2012 and assigns no signal word; it classifies it as harmful to aquatic life, with long-lasting effects (acute and long-term category 3). The package label directs: keep out of reach of children; harmful if swallowed; avoid contact with eyes, open cuts, or sores; avoid breathing dust; wash thoroughly after handling.
- Protective equipment (SDS). Safety glasses with side shields or goggles, and suitable protective gloves for prolonged contact; provide adequate ventilation when handling the dry powder.
- Storage. Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight (SDS), away from strong oxidizing agents (the SDS-listed incompatible material), and out of reach of children. Keep solutions and stock containers opaque or shaded, labeled, and secured.
- Staining. Iron solutions stain hard surfaces. Colorado State University Extension warns that spray reaching the sidewalk, house, or other objects may leave a permanent rusty discoloration. Keep spray off pavement, buildings, and fencing, sweep dry product off hard surfaces before watering in, and rinse overspray immediately.
- Water, food, and feed. Do not apply near water, storm drains, or drainage ditches, or when heavy rain is expected; sweep any product that lands on the driveway, sidewalk, or street back onto the treated area (manufacturer’s label). Do not contaminate water, food, or feed by storage or disposal. Not for human or animal consumption.
- Application limits. Broadcast rates concentrated into spot or band applications may cause phytotoxicity. Do not spray moisture-stressed plants; buffer foliar sprays to pH 6–6.5; test a small area of the crop when in doubt. Turf directions are for professional use only. One soil application per confirmed need, then reassess.
- What it does not do. Supplies iron only. It does not lower pH, neutralize bicarbonate, correct root damage or waterlogging, hold iron in neutral or alkaline root zones, or replace a complete fertilizer.
- First aid (from the safety data sheet). Inhalation: move to fresh air, call a physician if symptoms develop or persist. Skin: wash off with soap and water, get medical attention if irritation develops and persists. Eyes: rinse with water, get medical attention if irritation develops and persists. Swallowed: rinse mouth, get medical attention if symptoms occur. The safety data sheet gives CHEMTREC, 1-800-424-3900, as the 24-hour emergency number.
California Proposition 65. The safety data sheet for this product states: “WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.” The safety data sheet does not identify which chemical. See P65Warnings.ca.gov.
The full handling and first-aid directions are in the Safety Data Sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chelated Iron EDTA 13.2% Fe, and when should I choose it over Iron DTPA?
It is a water-soluble micronutrient fertilizer containing 13.2% iron, all of it chelated by EDTA, for preventing and correcting iron deficiency. It carries more iron per pound than Chelated Iron DTPA (11%), so where the root zone or nutrient solution stays acid to mildly alkaline, each pound of product delivers more iron. University of Florida IFAS reports EDTA-chelated iron fully chelated at pH 6.0 and only about 2.5% chelated at pH 7.5, against about half for DTPA. Use EDTA where soil pH is at or below about 7.0 and nutrient solutions are held at pH 5–6; above about pH 7.0 in soil, Chelated Iron DTPA is the step up. Measure pH before you buy.
How do I tell iron deficiency from another problem?
Iron deficiency appears as yellow tissue between green veins on the youngest leaves first, because iron moves poorly within the plant. Manganese and zinc deficiencies look similar but usually start on older leaves; nitrogen and magnesium shortages also show on older leaves; and overwatering, compaction, and girdling roots predispose plants to the same yellowing by limiting soil air and root function. Check drainage and roots, compare new growth on affected and unaffected plants, and determine root-zone pH by a soil test before applying iron, since high pH is the usual reason iron already in the soil is not reaching the plant.
How much iron EDTA should I apply to soil?
The manufacturer’s label for this 13.2% iron EDTA gives 4–12 lb per acre for vegetable and field crops and 4–15 lb per acre for tree and vine crops, which is 1.47–4.41 oz (41.7–125 g) and 1.47–5.51 oz (41.7–156 g) per 1,000 sq ft. Dissolve it in water or fluid fertilizer, dry-blend it with a water-soluble fertilizer, or meter it through drip, sprinkler, or furrow irrigation, spread it uniformly, and water it in. Start at the low end, apply early in the season where you can, and do not concentrate a broadcast rate into a spot or band, because phytotoxicity may result. These are product-label directions for acid to mildly alkaline soils, not university recommendations.
How much should I use for one tree, shrub, or vine?
The manufacturer’s label gives 1–4 oz of product per inch of trunk diameter for an individual tree or vine in the fruit, nut, and vine list. A 4-inch-diameter tree has a range of 4–16 oz (113–454 g); begin at 4 oz unless the diagnosis supports more. Sprinkle it uniformly on the soil under the drip line, or blend it with soil or sand first, keep it off the trunk, and water it in. For the ornamental species the label names — azaleas, gardenias, junipers, pines, roses — use the printed tablespoon direction instead: 2 tbsp for small shrubs and up to 2 tbsp per inch of tree diameter, as a volume, because no gram equivalent has been measured for this product. For a planted orchard or vineyard block, use the per-acre rate of 4–15 lb. Do not add two directions together.
Can I use iron EDTA as a foliar spray?
Yes, when soil application is impractical, on the crops the manufacturer lists. Its directions are ⅓–1⅓ lb per acre for vegetable and field crops and 1–2 lb per acre for tree and vine crops other than citrus, each in at least 25 gal of spray per acre; 1 lb per acre in 50–100 gal for deciduous crops with fruit present; 1–2 lb per 100 gal of cover spray for citrus, any time except during bloom; 1–4 oz per 1,000 sq ft on turf (professional use only); and ⅓ lb per acre in at least 10 gal by air. Buffer the spray to pH 6–6.5, cover thoroughly, do not spray moisture-stressed plants, and test a small area of the crop when in doubt. A foliar spray treats the leaves it reaches; it does not fix the soil condition behind the deficiency.
How much iron EDTA do I add to a hydroponic reservoir?
Dose to the iron concentration your recipe specifies, after subtracting only the chelated iron your base fertilizer or another chelated source already supplies; this page does not choose a target for you. Product in grams = additional iron needed in mg/L × final liters ÷ 132, so 2.87 g raises 100 US gallons by 1 mg/L. For example, raising a 100 gal reservoir from 0.3 to 2.8 mg/L iron takes 2.5 × 378.5 ÷ 132 = 7.2 g of product. Do not count iron in raw source water toward the target — it is usually not chelated, it precipitates at the pH your solution runs at, and it fouls emitters rather than feeding the crop. Weigh the product, dissolve it separately, add it to the dilute solution, hold the solution at pH 5–6, and shade the reservoir, because light degrades Fe-EDTA. If your system runs above pH 6.5, use Chelated Iron DTPA instead. An EC or TDS meter cannot measure iron.
Can I use iron EDTA on my lawn?
The manufacturer’s label carries turf directions of ¾ lb per 1,000 sq ft (33 lb per acre) to the soil and 1–4 oz per 1,000 sq ft as a spray, but marks them for professional use only and restricts application near water, storm drains, and drainage ditches or when heavy rain is expected, with any product on pavement swept back onto the turf. This page reproduces those directions for professional applicators and does not offer a separate homeowner lawn rate. Keep any iron spray off sidewalks, driveways, and siding — Colorado State University Extension warns it can leave a permanent rusty discoloration. Our lawn fertilizer guide explains when iron improves turf color and which iron form suits which soil pH.
Why did iron sulfate stop working, and will EDTA work in my alkaline soil?
Unchelated ferrous iron oxidizes to an insoluble form as pH rises; University of Florida IFAS puts the change above about pH 5.3, which is why iron sulfate gives short-lived results in neutral soil. EDTA protects the iron only in acid to mildly alkaline conditions: at pH 7.5 about 2.5% of EDTA-chelated iron remains chelated. If your soil measures above about pH 7.0, EDTA is not the fix — Chelated Iron DTPA holds about half its iron at pH 7.5, and calcareous soils above that call for an EDDHA chelate. A foliar spray of this product still reaches the leaf regardless of soil pH, but it treats only the sprayed leaves.
Will iron EDTA lower soil or water pH?
No. The chelate protects the applied iron from precipitating; it does not lower pH or neutralize bicarbonate alkalinity. If high pH or alkaline irrigation water caused the deficiency, correct the iron supply with a chelate suited to that pH and manage the pH or water chemistry as a separate part of the program.
Can I tank-mix iron EDTA with other fertilizers or pesticides?
The manufacturer permits application in water, with fluid fertilizers, dry-blended with water-soluble fertilizers, and in combination with most pesticides. Follow every tank-mix partner’s label, dissolve ingredients separately, combine them only in a dilute compatible solution, and keep the chelate out of concentrated phosphate stock tanks. Jar-test unfamiliar mixtures and apply any new spray to a small test area first; a clear jar does not establish crop safety.
Is this product organic or registered as a pesticide?
Neither. EDTA is a synthetic chelating agent, and this product does not carry an OMRI listing or an organic input registration; growers under certification should get product-specific approval from their certifier before use. It is sold for plant nutrition only and is not registered as a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, or algaecide, and it must not be used to control weeds, moss, or algae.
Related guides & articles
- What Are the Effects of Iron on Plant Growth?: what iron does in the plant, how chlorosis develops, and why the article recommends treating the soil with a chelate.
- Why Are My Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow? 8 Causes and How to Fix Them: how to separate iron deficiency from overwatering, pH, magnesium, and the other common causes before you treat.
- Sulfate vs Chelated Fertilizers: Iron, Zinc, Manganese & Soil pH: how chelates differ from sulfate salts, which chelate holds at which pH, and when the cheaper salt is the better choice.
- Best Fertilizer for Lawns: Rates, Timing & Iron by Grass Type: when iron deepens turf color, why foliar iron is the usual lawn route, and which iron form suits which soil pH.
Articles give background. For this product, use the directions and documents on this page.
Product documents & sources
- Product label (PDF): the guaranteed analysis for this product. Its printed household-measure directions are not restated on this page; see Application rates & directions for the weighed direction set, and ask us about any difference before applying.
- Safety Data Sheet (PDF, June 2023): composition, hazard classification, handling, storage, first aid, and the California Proposition 65 statement.
Where the rates and statements on this page come from
The soil, fertigation, turf, individual-tree, ornamental, foliar, and aerial directions come from the manufacturer’s label for this same 13.2% iron EDTA; the chelate-stability, crop-response, diagnosis, timing, iron-sensitivity, nutrient-solution, staining, and light-sensitivity statements come from the university Extension publications and peer-reviewed papers below. They are listed for growers, advisors, and certifiers who want to check them; the Extension sources explain nutrient management and do not certify or endorse this product.
- Manufacturer’s specimen label for this 13.2% iron EDTA (form dated 2018), on file with Greenway Biotech: the direction set reproduced under Application rates & directions.
- University of Florida IFAS, Understanding and Applying Chelated Fertilizers Effectively Based on Soil pH (HS1208): chelate stability by pH, including the EDTA, DTPA, and EDDHA ratios at pH 6.0 and 7.5, and why iron becomes unavailable as pH rises.
- Colorado State University Extension, CMG GardenNotes 223, Iron Chlorosis of Woody Plants (PDF): symptoms, the overwatering, compaction, and girdling-root causes, the distinction from manganese and zinc deficiency, chelate choice by pH, foliar coverage limits, response times, spring timing and treatment longevity, and staining of hard surfaces.
- UMass Extension and UConn Extension, Greenhouse Update, March 20, 2014: the crops prone to iron toxicity, the direction to rinse concentrated iron off foliage and flowers, and the 6% analysis of the Fe-EDDHA product it describes.
- Oklahoma State University Extension, Electrical Conductivity and pH Guide for Hydroponics (HLA-6722, PDF): the nutrient-solution pH of 5–6 and root-zone pH of 6–6.5 cited for reservoir use.
- Baker and Bugbee, Utah State University, Effect of pH and Iron Chelate on the Growth of Basil and Soybean in Soilless Media (2025): the EDTA-versus-EDDHA crop response from pH 6.0 to 7.8 cited in How it works.
- University of Florida IFAS, Nutrient Solution Formulation for Hydroponic Tomatoes in Florida (CV216): the 2.8 mg/L iron example used to illustrate recipe-based reservoir dosing.
- Albano and Miller, Ferric Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (FeEDTA) Photodegradation in Commercially Produced Soluble Fertilizers, HortTechnology 11(2):265–267, 2001: the light-sensitivity statements and the reason to shade reservoirs and stock tanks.
Rates and sources reviewed September 15, 2026.
Help choosing & next step
Not sure whether the yellowing is iron, or whether your pH calls for EDTA or DTPA? Email your crop, root-zone or solution pH, acreage or tree diameters, spray volume, and intended method to questions@greenwaybiotech.com or call (562) 351-5168, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific, and we will work through it with you.
Ready to buy? Calculate & choose a bag
Every order carries a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, and we pack and ship from Madera, California. You can also choose a package weight from the size selector at the top of this page; have your crop, growing method, pH reading, and treatment area, tree diameters, spray volume, or reservoir volume ready.
Greenway Biotech, Inc. is a family-owned fertilizer company in Madera, California, blending and packaging specialty fertilizers and soil amendments since 1989.
