Anyone use Epsom Salt??

We heard, at a demonstration on planting and using dahlias, that the speaker was one who didn't like the build-up of salts caused by Miracle Gro. It was the first time I had head of it.

if u do some research on line, i am sure u will find more info. ever since i learned about the damage in our environment, i stop using MG.

these days, i try my best to use organic fertilizer on my plants.

as they say, each day is a learning process, which is why i love to do research.

Knowledge is power! Thanks.

I was told by my nursery guy that Hollytone is good to put on plants now as it is good for root growth.

Anita - It even says it on the bag - use at half strength, yet when I contacted them, due to questions about it on another thread, the reply was NO. It was my belief that the food doesn't become active unless it's 55 degrees so if you're going to use it why not wait two weeks to be sure (almost sure) we don't get to 55 again, though I sure wouldn't mind it so I could keep on gardening. I am, anyhow, but by 3:00 I can feel the cold in my feet and even with a kneeling pad my knees feel it.

I quit using Miracle-gro too. I am using Shultz Tomato and vegetable food. Garden safe, made from sugar beet roots and other natural ingredients. It's liquid which I like better.

That's one of the ones the big dahlia guy recommended!

I just started using it this spring. I'm anxious to get an earlier start next year. I have a few Dahlia tubers and they already get 5' tall. I'm going to try it on them!

And just how tall do you want them to get? :-)

I'll let you know next year! I do tend to love tall plants! Anyone grow lions ear? I call it orange tarantula. I love them! Mine was 10' tall one year. Magnificent!

i have grown them before, they do get tall.

have u tried lion's tail? they are short but nice too! lion's tail manage to survive cold weather. Hesperia do go down to 10 deg. in rare occasion, the norm is 20 deg. F.

I've never heard of them. I'll have to try them. Lions ear is an annual for me too. I think I started it early the year it got it's tallest.

In addition to putting salt into your soil, don't synthetic fertilizers also ultimately deplete the soil and cause a problem with nitrogen run-off into ourlakes, ponds etc.?

So glad I rely on compost!

I don't know the answer, Dave.

Interesting about the miracle grow! I had no idea of course I dont do much research on this stuff either. I have always used miracle grow in my hanging pots for my annuals....however I have been known to fertilize my whole garden with it as well. I will rethink that for next year. Anyhow now that I have my own compost bin going I plan on using that :)

That's the best choice you could have made.

Thanks pirl :-)

I decided to put some Hollytone around the shrubs. I figured I would go by the bag's directions. I hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving!

Anita - I doubt you'll have any grief over doing it.

:)