Epsom salts and tomatoes - Ask Extension
Should I be adding Epsom salts to soil for my tomatoes? Is it really a scientific , researched method to decrease end rot And prevent yellow leaves...
Knowledgebase
Epsom salts and tomatoes #638628
Asked May 20, 2020, 6:58 PM EDT
Should I be adding Epsom salts to soil for my tomatoes? Is it really a scientific , researched method to decrease end rot And prevent yellow leaves at the end of the season?
Lake County Minnesota
Expert Response
No. Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency. Epsom salts add magnesium, not calcium. Yellow leaves at the end of the season are most likely caused by one of the common tomato fungal diseases (septoria leaf spot or early blight). Again, supplying magnesium won't address this.
The calcium deficiency that causes BER is not because the soil lacks calcium, but is because the plant can't take it up. There are several things you can do to reduce BER: don't plant susceptible varieties (such as Romas), water regularly and evenly, don't cultivate around your plant. Also, the first tomatoes on the plant are the most likely to get BER. Later fruit is usually clean. Read here about BER:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-disorders
As for tomato blights, standard cultural practices (don't water overhead or at night, don't work around wet plants, mulch, clean up in the fall, rotate crops, and so on) can help. Read here:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-leaf-spot-diseases
And read here about epsom salt:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/epsom-salts.pdf
The calcium deficiency that causes BER is not because the soil lacks calcium, but is because the plant can't take it up. There are several things you can do to reduce BER: don't plant susceptible varieties (such as Romas), water regularly and evenly, don't cultivate around your plant. Also, the first tomatoes on the plant are the most likely to get BER. Later fruit is usually clean. Read here about BER:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-disorders
As for tomato blights, standard cultural practices (don't water overhead or at night, don't work around wet plants, mulch, clean up in the fall, rotate crops, and so on) can help. Read here:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/tomato-leaf-spot-diseases
And read here about epsom salt:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/epsom-salts.pdf
