Why is epsom salt good for plants

For a lush lawn, lightly sprinkle three pounds of Epsom salts for every 1, square feet of turf and water well. To encourage abundant roses and bright foliage, apply one-half cup of Epsom salts to the soil around the base of each bush.

Perform the treatment early in the blooming season, when buds are just beginning to open, for best results. For such shrubs as azaleas and rhododendron, sprinkle about a tablespoon of Epsom salts at the root zone where roots spread out past the drip line, the ring-like area around the base of the plant every two to four weeks. To give tomatoes and peppers a healthy start, add a tablespoon of Epsom salts to the bottom of each hole prior to transplanting seedlings.

Once tomato plants flower and begin to fruit, mix a foliar spray of one tablespoon of Epsom salts to a gallon of water and spray weekly. To banish slugs and snails, sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of plants. Risks to Using Epsom Salts in the Garden There are two specific cautions when it comes to Epsom salts—and one larger concern. If applied directly onto foliage, Epsom salts can cause leaf scorch. Use a wetting agent and avoid spraying on particularly hot, sunny days to mitigate this.

Calcium deficiency can cause root rot, common in tomatoes. Epsom salt may worsen the situation because calcium and magnesium compete with each other for absorption by the plant. The Bottom Line on Epsom Salts in the Garden Should a soil test indicate a magnesium shortage—or if you simply want to see for yourself—give Epsom salts a try. Thanks for signing up!

Check your inbox for a welcome email. Email required. Named for the town of Epsom, England where they were discovered in a spring in the 17th century, Epsom salts are a chemical compound called hydrated magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate supplies two essential plant nutrients -- magnesium and sulfur.

So it stands to reason that supplied in the right amounts, they'd be good for plants. People commonly use Epsom salts to feed plants that crave magnesium, including tomatoes, peppers, and rose bushes. They claim that Epsom salts mixed with water and poured around the bases of plants or sprayed directly on the foliage result in more and bigger flowers and fruit.

The thing is, unless you do a soil test, you'll never know if your soil lacks magnesium and sulfur. Dolomitic lime contains magnesium, so if you've been liming your soil, chances are it has plenty already. Plus, magnesium and sulfur are only two of the many vital nutrients plants need.

They also require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, zinc, and other micronutrients. You don't get those from Epsom salts.

So Grumpy's advice is use Epsom salts from time to time if you think your plants could use a kick in the pants, but don't rely on them solely. Magnesium absorbs well if applied directly to the leaves. Every month during growing season, mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts to each gallon of water and apply liberally to the roots of fruit and nut trees, grape vines, and berry patches. Another technique is to apply two tablespoon of dry salts over a nine-foot root-bed area, three times a year.

Sweet peppers and tomatoes also benefit from adding some Epsom salt to the garden soil. Before planting seeds, add one to two tablespoons of Epsom salts to the soil of each hole. During the growing season, apply a foliar spray of two tablespoons of salts to each gallon of water. Apply to leaves once a month. If your soil tests positive for magnesium deficiency, Epsom salts will help your lawn achieve maximum growth and lushness. The Epsom Salt Council recommends applying three pounds of salts for every 1, square feet of lawn with a spreader.

Sprinkle the salts lightly, then water your lawn with a hose or sprinkler system. Epsom salts are pH neutral and gentle on plants, including potted houseplants. To boost nutrient intake, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salts with one gallon of water and spray onto leaves, rather than onto the roots, for maximum absorption. Alternately, add the salts directly to the soil: 1 teaspoon of salts for every foot of plant height.

Try adding Epsom salts to your houseplants every month, monitoring subtle changes in leaf vibrancy and growth. For a do-it-yourself means of removing a tree stump , though, you can enlist Epsom salts to kill the remains of a cut tree first.

Then, pour dry Epsom salts into the holes and slowly add water to moisten, but not saturate, the salts.