You know the Diva is devoted to Epsom salts in her bath tub, but every once in awhile I’ll share some of the other AmaZinG things that Epsom salts do. Today I’ll tell you about how not only are Epsom salts great for YOU, but Epsom salts are great for your tomatoes TOO!

Tomatoes

Tomatoes love Epsom salt too!

Composed almost exclusively of Magnesium Sulfate, Epsom salt is intensely rich in these two minerals that are both crucial to healthy plant life. Unlike common fertilizers, Epsom Salt does not build up in the soil over time, so it is very safe to use.

Magnesium is beneficial to plants from the beginning of their life, right when the seed begins to develop. Sulfate, a mineral form of sulfur found in nature, is an equally important nutrient for plant life. Sulfate is essential to the health and longevity of plants, and aides in the production of chlorophyll.

Tomatoes & Epsom Salt

Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, and display this through yellow leaves and less production. They can greatly benefit from Epsom Salt treatments both at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life. When gardening, simply add one or two tablespoons per hole before planting the seeds or transplants.

However, if you missed out on Epsom-ing when you planted, you can work in one tablespoon of Epsom salt per foot of plant height around the base of the tomato plant.

Here’s some more info on favorite plants & Epsom salts:

  • Peppers: Apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with a gallon of water as a foliar spray at bloom time and again 10 days later.
  • Houseplants: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water; feed plants monthly.
  • Tomatoes: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks.
  • Roses: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks. Also scratch 1/2 cup into soil at base to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal cane growth. Soak unplanted bushes in 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt per gallon of water to help roots recover. Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to each hole at planting time. Spray with Epsom Salt solution weekly (1 TBSP per gallon of water) to help discourage pests.
  • Sage: Do not apply! This herb is one of the few plants that doesn’t like Epsom Salt.

Next week….the “Tomato Bath Recipe”!!!! Ha ha….not.

You can find out heaps more about gardening with Epsom Salts from these 2 sites:

Saltworks & The Epsom Salt Council

Thanks to Thelonious Gonzo for the image!