OK I puts the iron in the dirt?

OK the garden needs minerals right? Farmer Bob came over with a 5-gallon pail of Iron shavings (from a drum turning lathe, and yes the pail is heavy). He says it great for the garden. I hear about people adding suppliments to the soil all the time but this is not an actual garden mineral in a bag from the nursery, this is pure iron. It seems so simple that something has to be wrong with doing it. Has anyone put in actual Iron shavings in their soil? It is very fine, like sand. Let me know if you think I should go ahead and do it ok folks.
Thanks!

I really don't know.. some veggies do contain Iron.. If you take a magnet over a bowl of cheap oatmeal, you can pick up bits of iron.. (used to when I was a kid anyway) . as far as for the dirt - hmm

Ratfood, give it back to Farmer Bob. Pure Iron shavings aren't the kind of iron that a plant can utilize. Plants require very little iron and that is usually in most soils already. You most likely will do better adding compost to your soil. And while you're at it you may want to check your pH. Should you still feel you need iron you'd be better of buying a commercial garden liquid iron, something that is readily available to the plants and organisms in your soil.

I'd be more interested in knowing what your plants are looking like, what their growth habits are (or are not), what kind of plants, what kind of soil you are working with. With a bit more info from you I bet we can get you going in a definite direction of good growth in the garden.

Shoe

Been thinking about this thread. I don't think the shavings will hurt a thing. We sometimes put nails around in the soil of the wife's potted plants. When the nails rust the plants pick up the iron, I suppose, and it gives the foliage a darker green color. Probably what will happen with the shavings. When they rust your plants will be able to utilize, I think it is ferrous oxide. Been a long time since chemistry class.

A small amount won't hurt, The iron breaks down readily in the soil and becomes available. Two concerns tho, 1. The amount is sufficient for 5-10 acres. and 2. If he has been turning brake drums or something like that, it would probably be contaminated.

Farmerdill makes a good point. Brake drum and rotor dust grindings contain alot of toxic substances including asbestos.

OK folks thanks for the replies. I am going to keep the iron away from the veggies, asbestos flavored Serrano peppers doesn't sound very appealing. I have been getting compost from gardenville by the truckload so I don't worry about the nutrients in the soil too much anymore. I'll give farmer Bob the bucket back.

Thanks again~