Roses and tomatoes can be given a natural boost in August with a simple addition to the watering can: Epsom salt. The treatment supplies magnesium and sulphur, nutrients that support plant health and help the plants cope with summer heat and humidity.
Why Epsom salt helps
Elizabeth Waddington, a gardening specialist from Polytunnel Gardening, explained that Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphur, both important for plant health. Magnesium helps plants absorb phosphorus and supports chlorophyll production, while sulphur is necessary for overall plant metabolism.
Magnesium plays a key role in photosynthesis and encourages larger leaves, generating more energy for flowers and fruit. It also enhances quality, producing juicier fruit and more vibrant blooms. Sulphur boosts disease resistance, acting as a natural defence against common issues like black spot and blight.
How to apply the treatment
To use Epsom salt, dissolve one tablespoon per gallon of water in a watering can and apply directly to the plants. Dry crystals are more concentrated and risk over-fertilising or scorching plants in summer, so dilution is safer.
Water the base of each plant with about one litre of the solution. Repeat the treatment every four weeks for the rest of the growing season to keep roses and tomatoes looking vibrant through the summer.
