From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oswego, New York

Is Epsom salt considered organic? Any info would be appreciated. Bonnie

5/17/2007 10:47:05 PM

Ohio

I think there is a couple diffrent kinds of salts that come from the ocean and Epsom(magnesium sulfate) ios one of them, Not 100% sure on that but almost,lol.

Brooks

5/18/2007 9:56:12 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Magnesium Sulfate is listed as an organic product on the OMRI List so it is excepted as organic.

5/18/2007 10:10:54 AM

[email protected]

OMRI certifies a lot of minerals now. But that doesn't make a salt an organic. LOL

There is a big difference between "natural" & "organic".

5/18/2007 4:29:15 PM

Oswego, New York

Hey I went on the OMRI site which I did not know existed; it is hard to navigate, but any how, magnisium sulfate is organic. Now, Tremor, please explain the difference between natural and organic? Bonnie

5/19/2007 12:25:57 AM

San Diego, Ca.

As I understand it, for something to be considered organic it must be derived from some sort of once living organism.
In that case I don't think epsom salts would qualify. It's like Steve said, theres a difference between natural and organic. Epsom salts would fall under natural instead.

5/19/2007 12:48:17 AM

[email protected]

or·gan·ic(ôr-gnk)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms: organic matter.
2. Of, relating to, or affecting a bodily organ: an organic disease.
3.
a. Of, marked by, or involving the use of fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin: organic vegetables; an organic farm.
b. Raised or conducted without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals: organic chicken; organic cattle farming.
c. Serving organic food: an organic restaurant.
d. Simple, healthful, and close to nature: an organic lifestyle.
4.
a. Having properties associated with living organisms.
b. Resembling a living organism in organization or development; interconnected: society as an organic whole.
5. Constituting an integral part of a whole; fundamental.
6. Law Denoting or relating to the fundamental or constitutional laws and precepts of a government or an organization.
7. Chemistry Of or designating carbon compounds.
n.
1. A substance, especially a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin.
2. Chemistry An organic compound.

5/19/2007 1:04:56 AM

[email protected]

At one time "organic" meant anything containing a carbon molecule. So Urea qualified.

A few years ago the tables turned & the term "organic" was closely defined as "anything that was once alive". OMRI was born & held manufacturers to very rigid standards.

However many crop needs cannot be met with just using stuff that was "once alive". As those of us in the fertilizer industry had claimed, organic farmers needed to use rock based minerals (NOT organic) to achieve certain objectives.

OMRI caved into their demands & many minerals are now permitted so long as they are mined & used in their "natural state". For instance you cannot react rock phosphate with acids to make the contained nutrients more plant available.

Today OMRI is in financial trouble having irked the "fertilizer industry" too long. Public funds aren't offered to them either so they rely on "donations" from stake holders who might be purchasing influence according to some antagonists & critics. I no longer consider OMRI to be relevant so I no longer follow this subject & won't comment on those matters.

Today the feds have decided to take up the matter themselves. The NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) website is found here:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/

OMRI used to have a page on their website of all of their numerous levels of "organic certification". It was a long & thporough list of terms. It's now gone & maybe for the best. It was too confusing for most people to understand.

Here is a very simple list of organic plant nutrients:

http://cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/234.pdf

Regardless whether OMRI is willing to certify magnesium sulfate as "Listed" it is still a chemical element & not at all organic. Many minerals are mined from the earth that contain no carbon. Just because they are "natural" doesn't make them "organic"

5/19/2007 1:05:48 AM

Oswego, New York

Tremor thanks for the educated info. I am an organic farmer as best as I can, and your info is very important to me. I have to think, for common sense sake, if Epsom Salt is natural and not mined and exploited by the taking or making of it, and is ecologically sound and sustainable for farming; then might I not use it for my garden? So then, when I give my veggies and eat my veggies, I may say they are organically grown? Bonnie

5/19/2007 10:03:47 PM

Oswego, New York

thanks Gourdzilla. My sister is in San Diego this week.

5/19/2007 10:04:38 PM

[email protected]

I use epsom salts & have no problem doing it. Heck, you can EAT epsom salts as a laxitive so why not the garden?

If you ever want to grow & market a crop as "OMRI ORGANIC" you'll need to be sure that the inputs for the past 3 years are all OMRI Listed. Magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) appears to be OK now. Go for it.

Then again....check the NOSB website too just to be sure.

5/19/2007 10:58:29 PM

Oswego, New York

Thank you, and great, giant, growing!!! My Sundstrom squash and Vincent pumpkin will be going in the ground on June first. Both have 2 true leaves and the third leaf is small but up and coming. Tremor, your info is on the mark and very good for me. Bonnie

5/20/2007 10:27:27 PM