A mixture of household ammonia, baking soda and Epsom salt is not a balanced replacement for a formulated fertilizer. Applying the same homemade mixture to every plant can add unnecessary salts while failing to supply the nutrients the plant actually needs.
Find out what the soil needs
For an in-ground garden, use a soil test to guide amendments and fertilizer. Different soils and crops need different care. A homemade recipe cannot account for those differences, and visible poor growth does not automatically mean a nutrient deficiency.
Use Epsom salt only for a reason
Epsom salt supplies magnesium and sulfur. It is not a complete fertilizer, and adding it routinely is not a general solution for stronger plants. Follow a confirmed need and appropriate guidance instead of treating it as a monthly garden tonic.
Use compost appropriately
Finished compost can contribute organic matter to garden soil. Make or purchase suitable compost and use it as part of a soil-management plan. Do not equate unfinished food scraps or a jar of soaked ingredients with a measured, complete plant food.
Choose fertilizer for the growing situation
Container plants and in-ground vegetables have different root environments. When fertilizer is needed, choose a labeled product appropriate to the crop and follow its rate and schedule. More is not automatically better.
Before feeding a struggling plant, also check water, drainage, light and roots. Correcting a growing-condition problem can be more useful than adding another product. If symptoms remain unclear, a local Extension office can help interpret a soil test or diagnose the plant.
