Does Epsom Salt Benefit Tomatoes, Roses, and Garden Plants?
Become a better gardener! Discover our new Almanac Garden Planner features for 2024. It’s easy, fun, and free to try!
ADVERTISEMENT
Thank you so much Robin for writing this article. As a horticulturist (retired) I have been telling people for years to stop using Epsom Salts! And we still see so many write ups suggesting its use. Your article will reach many people and hopefully change their minds about using it. It's not good for the plants and it's harmful to our previous water supply! Thanks again!
Why do you say Epsom Salt is a myth and recommend against it,
Then go on to recommend an OMRI certified magnesium/Sulfate which is the same thing in composition?
I've been using Epsom salt for years and it's been very beneficial why do you say it's not
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have revised the text.
In my north Alabama raised bed garden I use epsom salt on almost all of my vegetable plants. They are greener and healthier and have good production. On my tomatoes plants I also put a bit of dry milk powder in the planting hole which gives them calcium. This year I am trying to grow squash as a climbing vine to save room and try to miss the vine borer, I also sprinkle cinnamon powder around my plants to ward off fungus and cayenne pepper to ward off animals..
That’s wonderful that you are having success using epsom salts in your garden. Thanks for sharing!
I tired Epsom salts to an outdoor veggie garden—NOPE. I have a greenhouse now and there are so many GREAT soil amendments now that work a great deal better..
Quite a few years ago I was growing a few tomatoes in containers, one of them got blossom end rot. I was talking to family about it
and was told to try to put some Epsom Salts up under the plant and it would stop it. I was hesitant as I thought there must be salt of some kind in it, I did however do it and sure enough no more blossom end rot on the next tomatoes on that plant. Would I use it again, absolutely yes!
Epsoms Salts were discovered in a water-well in Epsom; England; at one time only Royalty could drink the well-water;
Interesting article. I'm mostly an indoor-plant person and an outdoor, container-plant gardener. For years, I've been using a mild solution (one tespoon per gallon of water) of Epson Salts to water my plants with none of these signs of harm to the plants. I only use this solution once a month at most, especially in winter and alternate with Schultz (liquid) 10-15-10 Plant Food Plus. I use Schultz or Miracle-Gro Liqua Feed more often in summer. Also my wellwater which I use for my plants is high in iron. My Jade Plants thrive and my other plants seem very content. I will keep these warnings in mind as I continue my routine. Thank you.