epsom salt as soil supplement

[backachersfarm]

Does anyone on here have experience with using this on their gardens?

[jwal10]

I put some in the hole when I plant my tomatoes, helps for bloosom end rot. Lots of good minerals....James

I was buying sweet bell pepper plants at a greenhouse . I asked the lady if she had any big bertha plants . She didn't but told me if I put a teaspoon of epsom salt in the hole when I planted the peppers that the peppers would get big .

[Old Vet]

I put it out in a nursery we had one of the micro nutrients that was low so we added Epsom Salt. So yes it does help sometime.

[danielsumner]

Here in Fla everyone pours it around the palm trees. Yellow and sickly today and lush and green by tomorrow.

[Randy Rooster]

epsom salts is magnesium sulfate - has magnesium and some sulfur in it.

blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium uptake.

[wmsff]

Randy, when you mentioned the calcium I recalled that I had read in some type of a "natural gardening book" saying put some epsom salt and crushed egg shells in the hole before the tomatos, peppers and squash. Perhaps they work together.

[geo in mi]

Those of old enough to remember flickering black and white TV images will remember that old hair pomade commercial made out of water, mineral oil, and bees wax:

"Bryl-creem, a little dab'll do ya,
Use more, only if you dare,
But watch out,
The gals will all pursue ya,--
They'll love to put their fingers through your hair."
(from Wikipedia)

I would suggest, if you're not going to get a soil test to really know, that you do an experiment by applying magnesium sulphate(Epsom salts) to one plant and none to another--then checking to see if it matters....... and keep the rest handy for foot baths.

But, when you use chemicals or additives, it's really hard to use only a little dab....

geo

[Windy in Kansas]

The package of epsom salt I have provides fertilizer directions for lawn use and various crops including house plants.

[ldc]

As per posters above, I use it on the veg, but very sparingly! If a tad too much is used, the plants grow too rapidly and flop over. Over time, I've discovered I need to use about 25% only, of the suggested amount on the package. And yes, it's great for aching feet! ldc

[Fourthistles]

"The Joy of Gardening" book recommends using it as a spray on liquid for bell peppers. I have had good success using it that way.

[backachersfarm]

Thanks for the input. Most soil sample tests don't include Mag levels.

Sharon

[T-Bone 369]

Originally Posted by Randy Rooster

epsom salts is magnesium sulfate - has magnesium and some sulfur in it.

blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium uptake.

This is correct, however it is a little more complex. Most of the time there is sufficient calcium in the soil to prevent BER but calcium is difficult for the plants to take up, especially while the plant is not fully developed (hence the reason that BER is often worse when the plants first start to bear). The magnesium ion is much easier for the plant to take up, and when the calcium attaches to the ion it is taken up at the same time and is therefore available to the fruit. Ergo, epsom salts help prevent BER.

[7thswan]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

The package of epsom salt I have provides fertilizer directions for lawn use and various crops including house plants.

Mine also . I put it in the soil when planting Roses.

[chickenista]

[QUOTE=Fourthistles;5206417]"The Joy of Gardening" book recommends using it as a spray on liquid QUOTE]

This is how I use Epsom salts.
I put it and some compost tea in my hose end sprayer and give the garden a good hose down a few times a year. You can see the difference by morning.
I love the stuff.
It thickens leaves and roots too.

[jwal10]

It is just the same as bone meal and other old remedies or traditions, tried and true, tested and it just works. Everything in moderation, a little goes a long way. My Grandmother learned from her Grandfather and it still works for me. I also put an unburned book of matches in the whole before planting a tomato set, for the sulphur....James

[7thswan]

here is a recipe, in one gallon of water-1 tablespoon Epson Salts
1 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. household ammonia

[RonM]

We use it only if we have a little too much lime, it will green up plants.

[NostalgicGranny]

Use it on anything you want more blossoms on. Roses, maders, zukes, greenbeans, peppers, etc. It encourages blossoms (which in most cases means more fruit on the vine). Don't use it on herbs and things you do not want to blossom fast like lettuce, cilantro, broccoli, etc. I've never tried it on fruit trees or any tree.

Guess I'm not as cautious as some of you as I have been known to pour it straight from the bag/box around the base of my plants. So I consider myself lucky that I haven't had any problems. It isn't my soil type as DH is retired navy so I've gardened in so. cal, Illinois, Charleston, Nawlins, bayou, and Texas which is a wide variety of soil types there.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by jwal10

I put some in the hole when I plant my tomatoes, helps for bloosom end rot. Lots of good minerals....James

Thanks, I'm having bloosom end rot on my cherokee purple maters. Maybe I can add some and water it in.