Posted by Ben Cluff on October 30, 2024 at 10:09:06:
In Reply to: Tomatoes - Early blight posted by Deborah on May 12, 2024 at 07:08:54:
: My step-grandfather gave me a tip a few years ago about preventing blight and early blight
from attacking my tomato plants. He told me that right after I planted my
tomatoes to draw a circle around the plants about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and spoon some Epsom
salts around the plant in the circle and cover the epsom salts up. Not a lot of epsom salts,
just 2-3 tablespoons and my plants would never have blight. It works like a dream. Can anyone
tell me if blight is caused by a lack of magnesium since that seems to be the main ingredient
of Epsom salts?
Thanks
Debbie
Debbie,
The early blight is caused by a fungus that is present in many areas of the U.S. Magnesium is an essential nutrient to plants and if tomato plants have sufficient Mg, the early blight will have reduced effects on the plant and though it may attack the foliage, the fruit will uaually not be effected.