Is there a special ingredient in your garden that will make it more beautiful and healthier? If so, Epsom salt is the answer. Why not try adding this natural mineral to see what happens!
Epsom salt is a must-have for any gardener! You won’t regret giving them a try. There are so many benefits that your plants can get from using Epsom salts, and they may be ones you never knew existed before!
Here are some of the easiest ways to start using Epsom salt into your gardening routine.
Why Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is a mineral supplement that can be used to enhance the uptake of nutrients by plants. It contains magnesium, which helps keep your plants healthy and strong!’
A lack of magnesium can lead to a variety of problems for plants. It helps them take up other important nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as help produce chlorophyll which is vital in photosynthesis processes.
Epsom salt is a great resource for the gardener because not only can it help to cure plant diseases and fungus, but also as an inexpensive way of fertilizing your soil. You’ll find that it at most drugstores or supermarkets.
15 Super Effective Ways to Use Epsom salt in Your Garden
1. Foliar Spray
Epsom salt is often used as a foliar spray for certain plants. It’s beneficial because it provides your garden with magnesium and can make the difference between healthy growth or deficiency!
To create this kind of solution just combine one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water.
The best way to apply the diluted solution is when new leaves are beginning to appear. You will need about one gallon for every 12 inches of your plant’s height in order for it all get around properly and not just fall on top!
Apply the mixture either on a cloudy day, or early in the morning.
2. Soil Amendment for Peppers, Tomatoes, and Roses
There are many plants that can benefit from the use of Epsom salt. Tomatoes, peppers and roses tend to be three very common examples but there’s a whole list for any type or shape!
The acid-loving plants require a special soil amendment in order to grow. Epsom salt can be used as the perfect solution, and all you need is one quarter cup for every 25 square feet of planting area (or six inches deep).
The benefit? Your garden will love its new environment!
3. Apply Around Landscaping Trees
The addition of Epsom salt to your tree can make all the difference in growing it successfully.
Trees like palms, magnolias and tropicals are especially benefitted by this treatment because they often suffer from magnesium deficiencies which causes “frizzle top” on their leaves.
To create a natural remedy for your tree, mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt in one gallon water. Then spray the leaves and crown with this solution to keep them healthy!
4. Use Epsom salt On Your Lawn
Lawns, like people need to keep up with the proper care. If you find that your lawn needs some TLC or just can’t seem to get it’s act together for whatever reason- Epsom salt might be able to help!
There is no need for you to dilute it. You will need a spreader to spread the salt evenly everywhere on the lawn. Seven pounds will provide enough coverage area for most yards without having too much leftover once applied.
5. Fertilize Potted Plants
Do you have an indoor or outdoor potted plant that could use a little TLC? Use two tablespoons of Epsom salt in place of regular watering and your favorite fern, geranium or cactus will be happier.
Just make sure to mix it up with a gallon of water—watering once each month should keep them happy!
6. Leach Fertilizer Salts
Preparing for the season is an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful one if you’re not careful. You want everything to go smoothly and without incident in your garden so that when guests come over they have no complaints about what’s being served!
One problem area might involve leftover fertilizer – too much of it left on plants or near their roots damages them probably due to heavy metals leaching out into soil over long periods.
To prevent this, soak your garden in Epsom salts to get rid of toxic fertilizer residue. To do this, dilute a teaspoon of Epsom salt with one gallon of water, pour it through the pot and when it starts leaking at the bottom, you should stop pouring water.
7. Use Epsom salt on Shrubs
If you want to make your property more beautiful, there are some shrubs that need the help of Epsom salt. Acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons benefit from this type of fertilizer because they tend toward magnesium deficiency; one tablespoon per nine square feet is all it takes!
Just be sure to water deeply after applying.
8. Start Seeds
One of the best ways to give seeds a better start is by adding Epsom salt and water.
For every 100 square feet you want to apply one gallon in order for them all get enough Magnesium so they can grow healthy and happy!
9. Use Magnesium to Prevent Transplant Shock
Transplant shock is the main reason for wilting and discoloration of leaves.
To prevent this, add Epsom salt to your planting hole while repotting plants so that they can properly absorb all nutrient content.
10. Deter Pests
If you want a pest-free garden, then Epsom salt is an essential ingredient. It’s been known to keep slugs and snails at bay as well as plants flourishing in their natural habitat.
Simply mix a half a cup of salts with two and a half gallons of water before spraying onto the
foliage.
11. Improve Foliage Color of Ornamental Plants
Over time, ornamental plants can leach nutrients from the soil and develop pale leaves.
If you have mature foliage on your plant that is curling or yellowing it may be because of a magnesium deficiency which could be addressed by foliar spraying with Epsom salt!
12. Improve Flavor of Fruits
Adding Epsom salt to your fruit plants is an easy way of giving them more flavor.
Just mix one tablespoon of the salts in with a gallon (or so) water and pour it on the roots! You’ll notice these improvements immediately – they’re sure going to love you for it too.
13. Remove Tree Stumps
You may be wondering how you can get rid of tree stumps without paying hundreds or even thousands for removal. The answer? Epsom salt!
Simply drill a few small holes near the top, roughly half as deep as your stump itself and space these out evenly around it so that they’re not too close together.
Fill each hole with about an inch or two of Epsom salt, before adding more soil to cover up any spaces between layers. Add a little bit of water to moisten the soil.
14. Use Epsom salt as a Top Dressing
The best way to get a boost of magnesium during the growing season is with Epsom salt. Just sprinkle around your plant and water it in deeply, and that’s it!
15. Improve Blooms
If you’re having trouble getting your plants to flower, add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt when planting. Healthy and strong-growing flowers will be on the scene soon enough!
Use this natural fertilizer as needed by spraying it onto leaves after watering every other week for brilliant blooms that are full of life – just what we need in these dreary winter months!