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Epsom salt

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From: Stephanie Keehn City: Wilmette, IL
Hi - Do you recommend using Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) on outdoor plants such as garden beds/flowers, lawn, shrubs? I read it is good for plants' roots and keeps slugs away, isn't very expensive, and is healthy for the environment and the user...sounds too good to be true! Please advise. Thank you! Stephanie Keehn President, Kenilworth Garden Club
	Extension Message From: James Schmidt Extension Specialist, Home Horticulture/4-H Department of Crop Sciences schmidt1@illinois.edu
Magnesium sulfate is often used on plants such as roses, peppers, tomatoes. Though many gardeners use epsom salt, magnesium is not a major element for plant growth, so having a healthy soil and supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is most important and it does not replace those elements. It will do nothing to control slugs once it is added to the soil.
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