06/16/2026
One of the most common myths in the garden is the use of Epsom salts to prevent Blossom end rot in vegetables. Unfortunately, while the myth has been around for a long time, it's not true. Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit, which in turn is caused by inconsistent moisture levels in the soil. There is no benefit to adding Epsom salts to your tomatoes. Epsom salts contain Magnesium sulfate and have no calcium. There is also no benefit to adding additional calcium to your soil in the form of Tums or Rolaids. If you are concerned about your soil and calcium levels, the best bet is to get a soil test or apply gypsum to your garden to add calcium. The best way to avoid BER is to water consistently, use mulch to reduce the amount of water and weeding needed, wait until fruit is setting on your plants before fertilizing, pick varieties that are less likely to get BER, and avoid damaging the plants' roots. This disorder is most common in Roma-type tomatoes and least common in cherry tomatoes. Even if you do have issues with Blossom end rot in your garden, remember that it will only last a short while (as painful as that can be) and will soon be gone from your garden for another year.
