STOP Using Epsom Salt in Your Garden
video description
Don't get me wrong, many old fellas imparted valuable gardening information to me, over the decades, but Epsom salts just wasn't one of them.
Plants, to adherents of _The House of Nonsensical Myth'_ may look bigger, brighter, better, but beauty is solely in the eyes of these deluded holders.
The pedlars of the salts must be cracking up, suppressing their laughter, every time someone trudges into a store to buy a bag, explaining it's for their garden.
It's only possible use in the garden would be to enrich a magnesium-poor, 100% deficient soil and there aren't too many of those around, last I heard.
You, Fam, will prolly do more to educate folk about the futility of leaving this particular hoary old myth on the table, instead of providing it a decent burial at the bottom of the garden.
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Date: 2022-07-18
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Comments and reviews: 14
Trish
THIS STUDY SHOWED AN 8. 5% INCREASE IN YIELDS
TITLE: Magnesium Fertilization Improves Crop Yield in Most Production Systems: A Meta-Analysis - from FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
Not just a single study, but a meta-analysis, begs to differ with you. Magnesium deficient soils are quite common.
Our meta-analysis showed higher yield in fruit, grass, tobacco, tuber, vegetable, cereal, oil crop, tea, and other crops production with an overall 8. 5% increase (Figure 2) when a reasonable amount of Mg (REFERENCES) was applied.
Everyones soil is slightly different, so folks in areas with magnesium deficient soils, will almost surely get some benefits, while those with sufficient soil will not. Just make sure the plants are getting all they need and experiment by treating one plot with mg and one without to see your particular results.
reply
THIS STUDY SHOWED AN 8. 5% INCREASE IN YIELDS
TITLE: Magnesium Fertilization Improves Crop Yield in Most Production Systems: A Meta-Analysis - from FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
Not just a single study, but a meta-analysis, begs to differ with you. Magnesium deficient soils are quite common.
Our meta-analysis showed higher yield in fruit, grass, tobacco, tuber, vegetable, cereal, oil crop, tea, and other crops production with an overall 8. 5% increase (Figure 2) when a reasonable amount of Mg (REFERENCES) was applied.
Everyones soil is slightly different, so folks in areas with magnesium deficient soils, will almost surely get some benefits, while those with sufficient soil will not. Just make sure the plants are getting all they need and experiment by treating one plot with mg and one without to see your particular results.
reply
Bruce
I agree with the composting philosophy.
If you have hard adobe clay like soil,
Composting is the way to go.
Epsom Salt is another way to soften the soil.
Using Epsom salt is soil dependant.
One treatment a year is probably all you need.
After that, go with composting that will help release other necessary nutrients.
Add crushed egg shells for calcium.
Magnesium and calcium work well together, but not so well by themselves.
But you also need compost with calcium and magnesium.
Compost has the acidity (tannic acids) that calcium and magnesium need to help release into the soil.
Then the plants can utilize those nutrients.
Fertilize with something like fish emulsion occasionally.
reply
I agree with the composting philosophy.
If you have hard adobe clay like soil,
Composting is the way to go.
Epsom Salt is another way to soften the soil.
Using Epsom salt is soil dependant.
One treatment a year is probably all you need.
After that, go with composting that will help release other necessary nutrients.
Add crushed egg shells for calcium.
Magnesium and calcium work well together, but not so well by themselves.
But you also need compost with calcium and magnesium.
Compost has the acidity (tannic acids) that calcium and magnesium need to help release into the soil.
Then the plants can utilize those nutrients.
Fertilize with something like fish emulsion occasionally.
reply
Julie
I'm here because I have seen so many videos that are titled why you should use Epsom salts for your tomatoes or similar titles. I have never watched those videos, BUT, I do want to see why to NOT use it.
I do think that it would be fast acting, but, quickly leached from the soil, so a better source of magnesium would be better. Maybe it is too salty?
Okay, so I want to see if I am right and what else is bad about it.
Blossom end rot is due to inconsistent watering? I have watered mine every early evening in summer, but, I still get BER.
Okay, basically, it is just a waste to use it, no BIG horrible problems to use it beyond potentially adding it and having it mess with your ground water.
reply
I'm here because I have seen so many videos that are titled why you should use Epsom salts for your tomatoes or similar titles. I have never watched those videos, BUT, I do want to see why to NOT use it.
I do think that it would be fast acting, but, quickly leached from the soil, so a better source of magnesium would be better. Maybe it is too salty?
Okay, so I want to see if I am right and what else is bad about it.
Blossom end rot is due to inconsistent watering? I have watered mine every early evening in summer, but, I still get BER.
Okay, basically, it is just a waste to use it, no BIG horrible problems to use it beyond potentially adding it and having it mess with your ground water.
reply
Jeana
I literally spend all my free time learning as much as I can about gardening because it's a hobby that I feel very passionate about but still to this day my parents, grandparents and every other old timer out there thinks I'm an idiot because I don't do things the traditional way. I'm from Tennessee and No one I know in my day to day life knows anything about permaculture principals or feeding soil life. They till thier gardens every year and pour their miracle grow on it. This video isn't really about that but reminds me of every conversation I ve had over the years with people that insist on things that only makes since because they were told by someone else that it works. I dunno. That's my rant. Lol
reply
I literally spend all my free time learning as much as I can about gardening because it's a hobby that I feel very passionate about but still to this day my parents, grandparents and every other old timer out there thinks I'm an idiot because I don't do things the traditional way. I'm from Tennessee and No one I know in my day to day life knows anything about permaculture principals or feeding soil life. They till thier gardens every year and pour their miracle grow on it. This video isn't really about that but reminds me of every conversation I ve had over the years with people that insist on things that only makes since because they were told by someone else that it works. I dunno. That's my rant. Lol
reply
Alex
There are so many different opinions on the subject matter however the key is to have good soil ( compost/peat moss ) for any sustainable positive results. Over doing it will definitely harm any plant you try to manage its journey to maturity. The beauty is to experiment and see what suits the requirements for your crop. A combination of different fertilizers can certainly be better than nothing at all. Every garden ecosystem is unique as many factors ( amount of daily sunshine, humidity levels, geographic location, pests, etc ) contribute to the final outcome.
After watching your video, it made me realize that all opinions do matter in making us better gardeners. Thanks for sharing.
reply
There are so many different opinions on the subject matter however the key is to have good soil ( compost/peat moss ) for any sustainable positive results. Over doing it will definitely harm any plant you try to manage its journey to maturity. The beauty is to experiment and see what suits the requirements for your crop. A combination of different fertilizers can certainly be better than nothing at all. Every garden ecosystem is unique as many factors ( amount of daily sunshine, humidity levels, geographic location, pests, etc ) contribute to the final outcome.
After watching your video, it made me realize that all opinions do matter in making us better gardeners. Thanks for sharing.
reply
SketchCat
I started growing potted flowers this year, read I may need some for yellowing leaves so I sprinkled a bit on some planters and they all wilted within the next two days. Now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it. My seedlings I just thinned and repotted and some are still struggling with wilting during intense heat of the day (highest temp so far during my gardening) The plants bounce back after watering and shade, they look absolutely perfect in the morning but at the end of the work day they look like they're nearly dead. In the video he said epsom salt will just filter right through with watering so hopefully a little TLC over the next week will fix them all through watering.
reply
I started growing potted flowers this year, read I may need some for yellowing leaves so I sprinkled a bit on some planters and they all wilted within the next two days. Now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it. My seedlings I just thinned and repotted and some are still struggling with wilting during intense heat of the day (highest temp so far during my gardening) The plants bounce back after watering and shade, they look absolutely perfect in the morning but at the end of the work day they look like they're nearly dead. In the video he said epsom salt will just filter right through with watering so hopefully a little TLC over the next week will fix them all through watering.
reply
MartaS
I've been using Epsom salts (dissolved in water) for the tomatoes growing in our porch since someone told me it would make the skins of the fruit less tough, and as a tonic for plants that are struggling after they've been transplanted. So far I can report good results from both applications. But here's another home remedy to test: horsetail 'tea' as a tonic for plants susceptible to aphids, or mildew. It's supposed to toughen the plants' stems and leaves up, so the aphids/ fungi don't like them anymore. but I don't know how long you are supposed to apply the mixture for, or how strong it should be. Anybody know about this?
reply
I've been using Epsom salts (dissolved in water) for the tomatoes growing in our porch since someone told me it would make the skins of the fruit less tough, and as a tonic for plants that are struggling after they've been transplanted. So far I can report good results from both applications. But here's another home remedy to test: horsetail 'tea' as a tonic for plants susceptible to aphids, or mildew. It's supposed to toughen the plants' stems and leaves up, so the aphids/ fungi don't like them anymore. but I don't know how long you are supposed to apply the mixture for, or how strong it should be. Anybody know about this?
reply
Arap
Well done
Epsom salt +beer+mouthwash
I was had a dog poops every were in my garden i tryed a lot of thinks to kill fruit flies and mosquitos it didnt go no where
But after this formula i have no problem with them any more
What do u say about that?
And my neighbore are doing each tomatoes plan 10inches beetwen because they are usind epsom salt
I am doing my tomatoes plants about 2 feets each still no good
And they have always big and very much tomatoes
I think u may grt comission from miracle grows and pest controls and mosquitoes cntrl companies
Ehat do u think about it
reply
Well done
Epsom salt +beer+mouthwash
I was had a dog poops every were in my garden i tryed a lot of thinks to kill fruit flies and mosquitos it didnt go no where
But after this formula i have no problem with them any more
What do u say about that?
And my neighbore are doing each tomatoes plan 10inches beetwen because they are usind epsom salt
I am doing my tomatoes plants about 2 feets each still no good
And they have always big and very much tomatoes
I think u may grt comission from miracle grows and pest controls and mosquitoes cntrl companies
Ehat do u think about it
reply
Proj_Doomsday
In the marijuana community, what we notice is the stems of the leaves turning purple and branches becoming harder and woodier and skinnier when its lacking magnesium. When you up the feeding, you will see the difference in the new growth. Its not a mobile nutrient, so the older parts of the plants will not be fix only new growth. So in other words, you would have to know the plant species better and or experiment. Unless you have a strain where the plant can naturally purple out in the stem, but thats a whole diff story.
reply
In the marijuana community, what we notice is the stems of the leaves turning purple and branches becoming harder and woodier and skinnier when its lacking magnesium. When you up the feeding, you will see the difference in the new growth. Its not a mobile nutrient, so the older parts of the plants will not be fix only new growth. So in other words, you would have to know the plant species better and or experiment. Unless you have a strain where the plant can naturally purple out in the stem, but thats a whole diff story.
reply
Christine
Im very confused on what I should use to fertilize and how often. Im a new gardener. So far Ive planted with miracle grow garden soil (probably mistake number one, but the plants seem happy. Then I learned how to make my own garden soil w peat moss, compost, and perlite. Im kinda adding this to the top of what I already planting and in my new sections. I got a compost pile going for future soil. Should I fertilize this too or is the garden soil and compost mixture enough? I want to fertilize w something natural.
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Im very confused on what I should use to fertilize and how often. Im a new gardener. So far Ive planted with miracle grow garden soil (probably mistake number one, but the plants seem happy. Then I learned how to make my own garden soil w peat moss, compost, and perlite. Im kinda adding this to the top of what I already planting and in my new sections. I got a compost pile going for future soil. Should I fertilize this too or is the garden soil and compost mixture enough? I want to fertilize w something natural.
reply
Elizabeth
THANK YOU! Thank you for debunking the Epsom salts myth! I've had so many people argue with me, about NOT using it.
I had heard about Epsom salt use in gardening and in houseplants, and had tried it in both. I found that I had no better results using it, versus compost or chemical fertilizers. I did, however, have issues with burnt leaves on my houseplants, so stopped using it. I also stopped using it in my outdoor plants at the same time because of the lack of results.
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THANK YOU! Thank you for debunking the Epsom salts myth! I've had so many people argue with me, about NOT using it.
I had heard about Epsom salt use in gardening and in houseplants, and had tried it in both. I found that I had no better results using it, versus compost or chemical fertilizers. I did, however, have issues with burnt leaves on my houseplants, so stopped using it. I also stopped using it in my outdoor plants at the same time because of the lack of results.
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John
Well, a hot Epsom salt bath is a way to increase blood levels of magnesium without eating it, and nearly all North Americans are deficient in magnesium. The bath also helps with muscle recovery and to help you sleep. I take about three buckets of the leftover bathwater and put some under plants, especially tomatoes and other edibles, so I'll get more edible magnesium in my food. And I also recycle my urine for the fruit trees.
reply
Well, a hot Epsom salt bath is a way to increase blood levels of magnesium without eating it, and nearly all North Americans are deficient in magnesium. The bath also helps with muscle recovery and to help you sleep. I take about three buckets of the leftover bathwater and put some under plants, especially tomatoes and other edibles, so I'll get more edible magnesium in my food. And I also recycle my urine for the fruit trees.
reply
epic_gardening
I hadn't even heard of half of these myths. We only have a little bag (1 litre bag) of Epsom salts, and uses are limited enough that I still have over half that same bag 5+ years later. I have it because I needed it for one particular situation, but if it's not needed, it doesn't get used. I've got more than enough tasks to be doing without wasting time applying soluble minerals that aren't needed.
reply
I hadn't even heard of half of these myths. We only have a little bag (1 litre bag) of Epsom salts, and uses are limited enough that I still have over half that same bag 5+ years later. I have it because I needed it for one particular situation, but if it's not needed, it doesn't get used. I've got more than enough tasks to be doing without wasting time applying soluble minerals that aren't needed.
reply
epic_gardening
Yes it depends on what you need. I use low level epsom salt with a soluble NPK that has zinc, iron, and manganese, so the magnesium and sulphur helps. Then I add soluble seaweed, humic acid and GH Flora Blend, and brown sugar to round out the liquid nutrition on my veggies, but yes true on its own Epsom salt wouldnt do much unless you were magnesium and/or sulphur deficient
reply
Yes it depends on what you need. I use low level epsom salt with a soluble NPK that has zinc, iron, and manganese, so the magnesium and sulphur helps. Then I add soluble seaweed, humic acid and GH Flora Blend, and brown sugar to round out the liquid nutrition on my veggies, but yes true on its own Epsom salt wouldnt do much unless you were magnesium and/or sulphur deficient
reply
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