Epsom Salts in the Garden - wanted to share what I just learned.

[jillan]

Living in Az my tomato plants have fizzled. Like an idiot(it's 110* degrees daily now), I bought 2 more plants today that I'm going to plant where they will be more protected from the sun. Can't live without my garden grown tomatoes!

I decided to google "secrets to growing tomatoes". Read a couple of blog posts, and one of them said to mix in a tablespoon of Epsom Salts into the dirt, deeper than where the roots will come in contact with the salts...and then to add Epsom Salt to water every 2 weeks and you will have killer tomatoes.

My curiosity was peaked. I then googled "Epsom Salts in the Garden".
People swear by it. Use it on houseplants, your lawn, roses love it, your trees, basically everything but sage. It helps with slugs and if you spray it on leaves it helps keep some bugs away.

Check it out!
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_benefits.htm
(more info on why and how much at that site)
Studies show that magnesium and sulfur, two components of Epsom Salt may:
Help seeds germinate
Make plants grow bushier
Produce more flowers
Increase chlorophyll production
Improve phosphorus and nitrogen uptake

Here is an interesting link:
http://www.alpharubicon.com/primitive/epsomll4e.htm

I'm not going to cut and paste all that I read, but if you are interested - google 'epsom salt garden'.

I will be real curious to hear from anyone who uses it.
I'm starting tomorrow, and will report back.

[Kolesar]

1. Use sparingly

[jillan]

6. Haha - right now I would 'kill' to have a tomato that size = )

[silverweb]

2. Good to know!

I'm putting epsom salts on my shopping list and will pick some up next trip.

Looking forward to your results and will add my own in time.

[jillan]

4. I was reading more about Epsom Salts last nite, and they are good for alot more than gardening.

If you add them to. your bath and soak for 12 minutes, they release toxins from the body.
They take out splinters and warm compresses soaked in them help with migranes - which I get.

Who knew?

Buying some more today!


edit to add - I love your gardener smiley :)

[hippywife]

7. When I was a kid

we had epsom salts in the house all of the time. I can't always remember what my mom used it for but I do remember my dad soaking his feet in water with epsom salts frequently.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. I've never used it for routine fertilizing, but I do mix some Epsom salts in the hole

when transplanting. It does seem to help them get off to a good start.

[jillan]

5. That's great to hear.