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Post by daylilydude on Jun 4, 2017 19:46:04 GMT -5
Are they really that bad? You hear about salt buildup from this stuff, how do you test this in a home garden? I use Miracle-Grow and this year I have added Epsom salt to it also, and my plants look great? I mix 1 tbsp of each with a gallon of water and foliar feed them once a week and just don't see this building up salt in my soil with all the rain. Your thoughts?
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Post by meandtk on Jun 4, 2017 20:01:13 GMT -5
I don't expect salt buildup to be an issue. My mom has used it in the same spot for years with no problem.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jun 4, 2017 20:13:35 GMT -5
The undesirable thing about those kinds of fertilizers is not the salt buildup, but the runoff, polluting the water table. This is the cause of the algae blooms in many lakes and rivers, and what feeds invasive plants, like water hyacinth.
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Post by paulf on Jun 4, 2017 20:15:32 GMT -5
I think for the casual home gardener synthetic fertilizer would be no problem. Mostly my garden is operated as close to organic as possible but I have no problem with the occasional use of chemical pesticides to thwart a problem. I do add chemical fertilizers and sulphur additives to keep the pH down. As for epsom salts, in moderation there should be no build-up. I will not use epsom salts since my soil testing indicates I should not. My mantra is: don't add stuff to the soil just to add stuff...get a soil test from a reputable lab and follow suggestions. If it works, it works, but back it up with science.
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Post by Gianna on Dec 9, 2017 13:42:38 GMT -5
I'm mostly organic, but will use small amounts of soluble inorganic fertilizers mostly on seedlings to get them going. I rarely use full strength but usually quarter or half. I do use more of it on my blueberries in pots, otherwise, they just sit there.
I don't worry about run-off at all. We don't have enough water for that. On large farm operations it could be a problem, or for people who tend to use lots of everything (If a little is good, a lot would be better types.)
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