Epsom Salts-source of Mg?

dmurray407 · April 21, 2009

I'm planning to try a couple tomato plants in an Earth Box type containter this summer. The EB people say to add dolomite lime to add magnesium and to help keep the pH in line. I have a bag of hydrated garden lime-I know this is not the same as dolomite lime because it doesn't have as high a percentage of Mg. It seems to me that I've read that epsom salts can be added to the soil when putting out tomato plants as a source of magnesium. Since I'm having some difficulty tracking down dolomite lime, I'm wondering if I can use my hydrated lime and some epsom salts. I'll be using Miracle Grow type potting mix-each container takes about 2 cubic feet-how much of each would you recommend?
Thanks!
Deb

creister · April 27, 2009

Last year, I put a tablespoon in the planting hole for each plant. It seemed to work good.

outsiders71 · April 28, 2009

I had a hard time finding it myself. The problem is with the labeling.

I eventually found Dolomite Lime at Wal-mart, in the garden center. It was labeled as pelletized-lime. The brand is Nutra-Lime. It has a higher ratio of Calcium to Magnesium. It also mentioned how it's non-toxic. Dolomite Lime!

So check your local Wal-mart.

April 21, 2009	#1
dmurray407 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Buffalo, MN Posts: 7	Epsom Salts-source of Mg? I'm planning to try a couple tomato plants in an Earth Box type containter this summer. The EB people say to add dolomite lime to add magnesium and to help keep the pH in line. I have a bag of hydrated garden lime-I know this is not the same as dolomite lime because it doesn't have as high a percentage of Mg. It seems to me that I've read that epsom salts can be added to the soil when putting out tomato plants as a source of magnesium. Since I'm having some difficulty tracking down dolomite lime, I'm wondering if I can use my hydrated lime and some epsom salts. I'll be using Miracle Grow type potting mix-each container takes about 2 cubic feet-how much of each would you recommend? Thanks! Deb

April 27, 2009	#2
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Last year, I put a tablespoon in the planting hole for each plant. It seemed to work good.

April 28, 2009	#3
outsiders71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 150	I had a hard time finding it myself. The problem is with the labeling. I eventually found Dolomite Lime at Wal-mart, in the garden center. It was labeled as pelletized-lime. The brand is Nutra-Lime. It has a higher ratio of Calcium to Magnesium. It also mentioned how it's non-toxic. Dolomite Lime! So check your local Wal-mart.