Why You Should Be Pairing Epsom Salt With Your Tomato Plants

Epsom salt has become a trusted ally for gardeners who are looking for healthier and more productive tomato plants. By incorporating this mineral into your gardening routine, you can unlock the potential for a flourishing garden and the possibility of a very bountiful harvest. Because they have a high demand for magnesium, tomatoes can especially benefit from the use of Epsom salt.

This particular mineral is necessary for chlorophyll production, so adding magnesium to the soil can help with any possible deficiencies. In addition to giving your soil a nutrient boost, Epsom salt also helps grow more flavorful fruits by delivering magnesium and sulfur. These vital micronutrients play an important role in helping with nutrient absorption, which ensures that tomato plants can effectively take in nitrogen and phosphorus. Epsom salt also fosters healthy growth by restoring the necessary balance of nutrients in the soil, which helps plants carry out photosynthesis. The end result is an abundance of tasty fruits. While Epsom salt can indeed be beneficial under certain circumstances, it's important to also dispel a few misconceptions surrounding its proper use. Here's everything you need to know about pairing Epsom salt with your tomato garden.

Epsom salt can work wonders in nurturing thriving tomato plants because it's packed with essential nutrients like magnesium and sulfur. Known as magnesium sulfate, this mineral promotes robust plant growth that could have you end up with a higher fruit yield. The first method of application is to combine water and Epsom salt in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the leaves. This should be done late in the growing season, and will result in vibrant, bushy plants with sweeter, juicier fruits. To make this concoction, mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts with a gallon of water. You should use it on your plants once a month. If you wish to spray more frequently, use 1 tablespoon per gallon.

The second application method should be done during the planting stage and entails mixing Epsom salt directly into the soil. This method helps with germination, photosynthesis, and also boosts the root and cell development. Simply add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to the bottom of each hole before you start sowing or transplanting. Make sure to mix it in with the soil a little bit.

Epsom salt is sometimes touted as a natural pest control remedy, and while it is true that some claim it can possibly deter beetles and obliterate slugs and other soft-bodied creatures, the reality is that there is no simple solution for combating garden pests. Gardeners are better off resorting to manual pest removal by way of using organic deterrents like neem oil, or other homemade organic pesticide sprays, for pest management. Another myth surrounding the use of Epsom salt is that it can prevent and obliterate blossom end rot.

Unfortunately, blossom end rot is typically caused by a deficiency of calcium and external stress. In fact, mixing Epsom salt into the soil is said to potentially heighten the tomato plant's susceptibility to blossom end rot because a higher level of magnesium in the soil restricts the plant's ability to absorb calcium. To ensure your tomato plants stay nice and healthy, it's recommended to only use Epsom salt when your soil is lacking in magnesium or sulfur.