Have you heard the buzz about Epsom salt? It’s been said to help certain plants grow bigger, stronger, and more beautiful.
But what is it, and how does it work? In this article, we’ll explore the wonders of Epsom salt and how it can help your plants reach their full potential.
From understanding what it is and how to use it properly to the benefits it provides for your garden, this is your one-stop guide to using Epsom salt on your plants and more.
1. Improve Seed Germination
The magnesium in Epsom salt will help your seeds build stronger cell walls, which will result in sturdier, more resilient seedlings. Adding Epsom salt to the soil that is magnesium-deficient will also help plants grow stronger.
Dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Apply as a soil drench before you begin planting seeds.
2. Brighten Up Foliage
You can tell when a plant isn’t getting enough magnesium by the yellowing between the leaf veins. There may also be an early fall of leaves.
Magnesium is needed for plants to produce chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their bright, healthy, green color.
When your plants are looking less than perky, give them some Epsom salt to help brighten them up.
So, how much should you use? The dosage is 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Use the solution to water the soil around plants. Do this once every month.
The dosage is the same for potted plants.
3. Prevent Transplant Shock
It is always risky to move seedlings from a container to the ground or repot a grown plant.
Oftentimes, a plant goes through various stresses when transplanted. This is known as transplant shock [1]. As a result, if not taken care of, the affected plant may never be the same.
Use Epsom salt to help combat the risks of transplant shock and encourage nutrient absorption. After transplanting, water the affected plants with a mixture of one tablespoon of Epsom salt and a gallon of water.
4. Keep Away Pests
Epsom salt works wonders for preventing many undesirable garden pests.
Although it won’t kill snails and slugs like table salt does, it will irritate them enough to keep them away from your plants. Therefore, sprinkle some Epsom salt around the base of your outdoor and indoor plants.
This home remedy works similarly to diatomaceous earth, irritating and scratching the soft bodies of these slimy creatures.
5. Increase the Productivity of Fruit Trees
Applying Epsom salt to the roots of fruit trees can help boost the trees, resulting in a larger yield and sweeter fruits.
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Next, pour this DIY solution around the base of each tree once per month.
6. Sweeter Tomatoes
Epsom salt is good for your tomato plants because it will help make the fruits taste sweeter. Some home gardeners consider it an excellent tomato fertilizer.
To use Epsom salt on tomato plants, the dosage is 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Let it dissolve before applying it around the base of your plants.
Repeat this every two weeks.
7. Strengthen Pepper Plants
Like tomatoes, pepper plants can also become magnesium-deficient. But Epsom salt can help give pepper plants their needed boost in magnesium. This will result in a bigger yield.
To use Epsom salt on pepper plants, dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Shake well and spray on the leaves of the plants.
8. Boost Cucumbers
Epsom salt can also provide cucumbers with a boost of energy that helps them produce more fruits. But do not use it as your only fertilizer.
To use Epsom salt for cucumbers, mix 1 tablespoon in a gallon of water and pour around the roots. Do this every two weeks.
You can also apply it as a foliar spray.
9. Healthier Roses
Are your roses looking dull and lacking vigorous blooms? The missing ingredient is likely magnesium.
It is believed by many that magnesium increases the number of blossoms that a rose plant yields. Magnesium also helps increase the production of chlorophyll in these plants.
Adding some Epsom salt to the soil when first planting your rose bushes will result in gorgeous roses.
You can also apply it to existing rose bushes by sprinkling half a cup of Epsom salts around the base of the plants and watering well. It’s best to do this before the plants start to bloom.
10. Keep Your Lawn Green
Although some people do not consider their lawns to be part of their garden, it’s still something many of us want to keep healthy and green.
Use Epsom salt on your lawn to enhance nutrient absorption and growth. While it’s not a complete fertilizer for grass, you can still use it to improve the look of your lawn.
Apply it with a spreader (about 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet). Alternatively, dilute it in water and spray the desired area.
Epsom salt also serves as a pest deterrent, keeping away raccoons, slugs, and other pests from your lawn.
11. Homemade Weed Killer
Does Epsom salt kill weeds? Yes, highly concentrated amounts can, and it works even better when combined with other ingredients, such as vinegar.
Make a homemade Epsom salt weed killer by mixing together half a cup of liquid dish soap, 2 cups Epsom salt, and one gallon of household white vinegar.
This 3-ingredient homemade weed killer will save you a ton on store-bought products to eliminate weeds or the need to pay someone to weed your garden manually.
Plants That Like Epsom Salt
You can use Epsom salt on nearly all garden plants. But the ones that benefit the most are those highlighted above.
Nonetheless, Epsom salt is mostly used on tomatoes, peppers, and roses. However, do not use it as a substitute for fertilizer, as its N-P-K value is 0-0-0.
Where to Buy?
You can get Epsom salt at most pharmacies, supermarkets, or online at reputable gardening stores such as DoMyOwn or SeedsNow.
Takeaway
As you can see, there are many uses for Epsom salts in the garden. It is a handy product that all gardeners should appreciate.
Its wide range of benefits, from increased crop yield to pest control, puts it on the list of natural, effective gardening remedies.
Add comment