a process is provided for preparing preferred iron humate products . the preferred iron humate products provide iron and other nutrients and organic matter for vegetation . the preferred iron humate products are produced by using an iron salt coagulant that is relatively free of heavy metal contaminants and reacting the iron salt coagulant with naturally occurring humic substances such as those found in natural surface waters used in drinking water treatment facilities . according to the invention , iron is stoichiometrically reacted at a controlled ph with the humic and fulvic acid fractions in the water to precipitate an iron humate product precipitate . a preferred concentration of iron salt coagulants is used in order to minimize the formation of iron hydroxides which generally provide low iron availability to the plant . a more readily soluble iron humate complex is produced by the reacting and or blending of the iron humate residue with various nitrogen containing sources .