Roses and tomatoes both produce the most gorgeous flowers and delicious fruit in summer, and one item can actually boost both to make them much more vibrant in just a few weeks.
Roses and tomatoes might appear like complete opposites in the garden, but both require a bit of additional attention during late summer if you’re hoping to maintain their health.
Both roses and tomatoes reach their peak vigour whilst simultaneously becoming most susceptible during August, as elevated humidity levels can establish perfect breeding grounds for ailments such as black spot and blight.
Simultaneously, scorching temperatures can rapidly drain soil nutrients, resulting in disappointing blooms on roses and considerably smaller produce on tomatoes.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth Waddington, a horticultural specialist from Polytunnel Gardening, has revealed there’s an incredibly straightforward method to enhance both these plants organically, as you simply need to incorporate Epsom salt into your watering vessel.
Elizabeth explained: “Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphur, both of which are important for plant health. Magnesium helps plants absorb phosphorus and supports the production of chlorophyll, while sulphur is necessary for overall plant metabolism. Epsom salts are especially beneficial for tomatoes, peppers, and roses.”
Epsom salts represent a naturally occurring compound typically discovered in bathing products, yet they also harbour the vital nutrients magnesium and sulphur which genuinely assist plants in flourishing throughout summer.
Magnesium serves as a crucial component for photosynthesis and encourages larger foliage development, meaning there’s increased energy available for additional blooms and produce.
Beyond helping tomatoes and roses develop, magnesium enhances their output quality, resulting in more succulent fruit and more striking flowers. Sulphur is a vital nutrient that enhances disease resistance, acting as a natural shield to keep both tomatoes and roses in good health.
How to feed roses and tomatoes Epsom salt
The most effective way to utilise Epsom salt in your garden is to simply mix one tablespoon per gallon of water in a watering can and douse your plants with it.
Dry Epsom salt crystals are more potent and could potentially overfertilise and scorch plants in summer, so it’s much safer and more effective to dissolve it in water.
Once you’ve prepared your solution, just use it to water the base of your roses and tomatoes. You should aim to use about one litre per plant.
Administer the Epsom salt every four weeks throughout their growing season, and both roses and tomatoes should blossom and appear much livelier for the remainder of summer.