Epsom salt is one of the simplest micro-fertilizer and beauty enhancers for your garden. Use of Epsom salt in the garden must be performed with caution. As it is actually the magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt that helps the flowers bloom, make your veggies grow big and your plants richer in green lush leaves.
Recent studies show that Epsom salt should not be used as a pesticide. So use it as a micro-fertilizer only once a month.
Just add two teaspoons of Epsom salt to one bucket full of water and spray it on your plant leaves. Don’t do it more than once a month as it is not recommended. It also works well in the case of peppers and roses.
Interesting Fact: The history of Epsom salt states that the Epsom well that was first found in England was surrounded by fruit trees. That shows that it is going to be a great addition to your trees, plants, and flowers.
This holy grail is not salt, it’s called salt just because of its salt-like texture. It is made up of sulphur and magnesium. Sulphur helps make the plant rich in nitrogen, which makes it lush green. Magnesium helps in making it produce more flowers and fruits. So isn’t it every gardener’s dream? All lush green plants with beautiful blooms and fruits.
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Signs your Plants need Epsom Salt in Your Garden
- Slow or no growth in plants (almost all plants stop growing during the winter season so make sure you observe your plants in warmer weather)
- Leaves curling
- Yellowing of leaves (adding nitrogen to it will also help in curing yellow leaves by adding dry tea leaves on it along with Epsom salt)
- Less Flowers
- Low or small-sized fruits
- You need tastier tomatoes
- You need bigger roses
Benefits by the Use of Epsom Salt in Garden
- It helps in boosting new growth in plants – My hydrangeas are loving it and new leaves on them prove it. I am so happy to see it in action again. Can’t wait for the blooms to come.
- Helps in giving more flowers – magnesium present in the Epsom salt will help the flowers bloom and grow beautifully. You can also combine it with natural potassium that’s present in banana leaves to make your flowering plants go crazy with beautiful blooms. Check out this all in one plant fertilizer to give your plants every nutrient in one go.
- Keeps the indoor plants green and healthy – Indoor plants are known to act pricey when it comes to their growth and care. Giving them a sprinkle at their base or just a dash of spray once a month will make them calm and happy. Read on to know the spray measurements.
- Add it to the seed starter soil for your vegetable garden – The use of Epsom salt in the garden is not just for flowers and lawns. It can do wonders for your vegetable garden as well. It makes the seedlings stronger and the veggies bigger. It is tomatoes and pepper’s best friend. Read on to know how to use it for them.
- Use it to avoid root shock – While transplanting a plant into a new pot, if you add Epsom salt to the new soil then it will help prevent root shock. The plant will thrive in its new home. The best trick for indoor plants. Use 1/4rth teaspoon in a regular 12-inch container.
- Add this in your cut flower water to make the blooms last longer – this one is a unique tip that I have experienced in the past. Just add a pinch and enjoy your bouquet of flowers for some more days in your bedroom.
- Makes your vegetables grow big and helps in faster growth in your vegetable garden. Here is a complete guide on how to start vegetable gardening in containers.
- Makes your lawn greener as it helps in the process of photosynthesis (in which plants make food in the presence of sunlight). Add 1 tablespoon in one bucket of water and irrigate your lawn with that water.
- Can be used for indoor plants – Spray the usual amount (1 tablespoon for 1-gallon water) and fertilize after a day or so. They will be more than ready to shine!
How to Use Epsom Salt in your Garden?
- Use as a spray – Add one tablespoon of Epsom salt in one gallon or one bucket-full of water that’s around 4-litre capacity. Mix well and then add it to your spray bottle. Spray it once a month.
- Use it as a liquid fertilizer – You can just mix one tablespoon Epsom in one bucket of water and give the water to your plants like you normally do. I highly recommend that you try this all in one plant fertilizer to give your plants a great boost in flowering and growth and fruiting as well.
- It may protect from pests like slugs etc. Although I haven’t experienced this property of Epsom salt yet but many avid gardeners claim so.
- Use it while preparing soil mix – Mixing one teaspoon of Epsom salt in a pot where you plan to plant veggies will give it a boost right from the start. This soil mixture is heavenly for tomatoes and roses especially.
Precautions to be taken while making use of Epsom salt in Garden
- Less is more in the case of Epsom salt. If you give it more than required, then you can do more harm than good. So when in doubt, use less than prescribed.
- Use it along with calcium. If your soil is deficient in calcium then Epsom salt can make this deficiency worse. So to avoid this scenario, add calcium sources like eggshells or a dash of milk when using Epsom salt in the garden.
- Make an all in one fertilizer at home. This one has been my absolute favourite and my plants love it. I make this all in one liquid fertilizer once a month with a mix of coffee grounds and banana peels. Grab the full recipe here.
- Don’t make the Epsom salt touch the leaves directly. It has to be diluted first to avoid any side effects.
- Keep it away from children and pets as it’s a strong laxative.
- Don’t use it in the presence of sunlight on a hot day. Evenings are the perfect times. Buy Epsom Salt here –
Frequently Asked Questions about Use of Epsom Salt in Garden
Which plants like Epsom salts?
Roses, tomatoes and peppers are the absolute Epsom salt lovers. As they demand high magnesium to grow better fruits and blooms, these plants like Epsom salt showers a lot. Tomato growers claim that tomatoes become tastier when you add Epsom salt regularly once a month.
Other than this geranium, pansies and azaleas also like Epsom salt and are more likely to give better and bigger flowers.
How do I use Epsom salt in my vegetable garden?
You can use the Epsom salt in your vegetable garden after you have saw seeds. It will help in the growth of stronger seedlings. You can do this once a month by adding one tablespoon of Epsom salt in 4-5 litres of water. You can add 1 teaspoon Epsom salt on the base of tomato and pepper plants once a month for tastier fruits.
Can Epsom salt cause calcium deficiency in my soil?
Yes, using too much of it can make your soil deficient in calcium. So the caution is to add a few calcium sources like eggshells, or just 3 tablespoons of milk to avoid calcium deficiency in plants.
When should I put Epsom salt in my garden?
You can use this anytime once a month. Just make sure it’s diluted well and you are not spraying it when it’s hot or when the sun is shining bright. The evening is a preferable time for taking full advantage of the use of Epsom salt in garden.
Can I sprinkle Epsom salt around plants?
Yes, you can do that but make sure you add it just near the base. The leaves must not touch the Epsom salt directly as it can cause leaf burn or leaf scorch.
What plants don’t like Epsom Salt?
Certain types of peas and many green leafy vegetables like spinach don’t need Epsom salt. They are already fast growers and are low in magnesium. So you can just fertilize them with the other organic fertilizers instead.
Can I Use Epsom Salt for roses?
Roses are one of the best friends of Epsom salts. You can either spray it once a month by mixing one tablespoon of it in a gallon of water or you can add a pinch of Epsom salt in your spray water every week. Spraying once or twice a month on the leaves is advised during the spring season especially. You can also add a teaspoon of it to the soil when the buds are about to open.
What are Epsom salt garden myths?
One of the biggest myths about Epsom salt is that it can replace the fertilizers which it can’t. As the sulfate and magnesium present in this salt make your plant better at absorbing the fertilizers you give them next.
So if you are not going to give it any fertilizer further, then Epsom salt alone won’t be able to do wonders. However, if you combine it with banana peels and eggshells and coffee grounds then you are heading for the garden of your dreams. Here is the full recipe of one fertilizer for all.
Where to buy Epsom salt for plants?
Rather than buying Epsom salt for plant use, buy one for human use. It’s much better in quality and it can be used for your foot soaks, muscle aches and many more purposes. I suggest you buy this one from amazon , and please use this link if you are outside India. It has given me great results till date.
Note – These are affiliate links that may help earn us some commission if you purchase using this link without any extra cost to you. Thank you so much. You are awesome 🙂
How much Epsom Salt is to be added to water for plants?
As a general rule, adding one tablespoon to one 4-5 litre bucket of water is enough. Just give it a good mix and once it dissolves, add some of it to the spray bottle. Give the rest of it to the plants as regular water once a month. Don’t forget to add organic fertilizer to it for added benefits.
Banana peels, burnt cucumber peels, coffee grounds, eggshells and tea leaves are some of the best organic fertilizers that you can use in your garden.
What are the Other Uses of Epsom Salt?
- It is an excellent foot soak material to relax your muscles.
- It acts as a laxative when mixed with lukewarm water.
- Is an essential ingredient for liver cleansing (more on it soon).
What can I use in the garden if I don’t have Epsom salt?
If you have organic mulch or dried tree leaves then adding these near the base of the plant suffice. It works fine if you don’t want to use Epsom salt in your garden. However, I highly recommend that you try Epsom Salt for once. You will be surprised by the use of Epsom salt in garden, it is that wonderful. If you are still worrying about the quantity of Epsom salt for your garden, bush, lawn or indoor plants then Epsom salt council has a crisp measurement for you.
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