dtlove129
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Location: Decatur, IL

What do you guys know about Epsom Salt for Gardening

I read this article that I saw on Pinterest, and had never heard of it.

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rainbowgardener
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Lots of people swear by Epsom salt for tomatoes. You have to realize the article you linked to is by people who are trying to sell you their product.

Organic gardeners tend not to use it, because it is inorganic. Epsom salt is a salt (not table salt, but a salt, in chemistry defined as ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base) as are synthetic fertilizers. Salts tend to build up in the soil and ultimately kill off some of the soil bacteria and other life of the soil.

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jal_ut
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I have decided Epsom Salt is for soaking sore feet. Not for the garden.

It is magnesium sulfate and has been used to correct magnesium deficiencies in soil. First you have to convince me that I have a magnesium deficiency.

lily51
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I have used Epsom salts for three years with my geraniums in the greenhouse due to low magnesium in our water.
Epsom salts are found in certain minerals in nature.
Salts: while in a lab made by combining an acid and base,
but with minerals the term salt refers to compounds that are soluble in water.
So there are many "salts" out there in nature.

I don't know about using Epsom salts
on tomatoes, but the one-time dipping in weak
solution saved my plants.
Both tomatoes and geraniums need Mg. If you look at fertilizer formulated for tomatoes you'll see it listed. Not all fertilizers contain it.
I have fertilizer this year with Mg that I hUave used from the start, so we'll
see if it's enough or not.
Just wanted to let you know that they are natural and nothing to be afraid to use done correctly. And Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate.


:)



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