Guide to using Epsom salt for plants

Besides its many uses, Epsom salt is still considered one of the best fertilizers for plants in your garden. If you are thinking of using Epsom salts for plants or wondering how to use Epsom salts for plants, this article should help you decide. So What is epsom salt? Why add Epsom salts for plants and what does it do?

What is Epsom Salt ?

Epsom salt is originally from a place called Epsom in UK. Epsom salt is actually hydrated Magnesium Sulfate. This was found in higher amounts in a spring found in a place called Epsom in London. Hence the name Epsom salt.

Is Epsom salt good for plants in your garden?

Yes, it is very good for the plants. The reason Epsom salt is good for plants is, it provides two important elements that are part of plant food. Magnesium and Sulfur. They improve the foliage of the plants and they look lush green after applying Epsom salts for plants. It also makes the plant grow bushier.

Why add Epsom salts for plants?

Applying Epsom salts for plants is for many reasons. For soil that are deficient in Magnesium or sulfur, adding Epsom salts can correct the nutrient deficiency and enhance the green color in the plants leaves. Magnesium is the central element in chlorophyll and this causes the plants to look much more greener when Epsom salt is applied for the plants. Epsom salt also increases the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by the plants. It is also responsible for synthesis of amino acids and proteins. This also enhances the plants ability to produce flowers and set fruits.

Magnesium deficiency can be corrected by adding Epsom salts for plants. One can safely use Epsom salts for plants since it does not pose the threat of burning the plants on overdose.

Benefits of Epsom salt

The benefits of using Epsom salt for plants are many

1. Supply of Magnesium and Sulfur to the plants
2. Improved uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus
3. Enhance photosynthesis by chlorophyll production.
4. Plants get a bushy and lush leaves

How to apply Epsom salt for plants

So you are wondering how to apply Epsom salt for plants? It is very simple. Epsom salt is readily soluble in water. So all you need to do is take your watering can and add a teaspoon of Epsom salt for every liter of water. Because of its solubility in water, it can be applied uniformly over the soil surface or in the container. Getting the soil tested for magnesium is also a good idea before apply epsom salt on a larger scale.

Most of the times, the irrigation water itself can contain magnesium as part of their hardness. Nevertheless a soil test wouldn’t hurt. Though Leafy greens, beans can grow in soil that contains less magnesium, a dash of epsom salt can bring out the best in them.

Plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and even rose require a good dose of magnesium. These plants are regularly watered with Epsom salt. Once dissolved in water, the solution can be either applied as a foliar spray over the leaves or watered to the plants at their root zone.

Foliar sprays can quickly control the deficiency and the plant will respond to the spray very quickly. Watering the roots with the Epsom salt solution is more effective and reduces wastage.

Epsom salt for Tomatoes & Pepper

For vegetables like tomato and pepper, two teaspoons of Epsom salt can be dissolved in 1 liter of water and watered at the root zone. This can be done every 15 days.

Epsom Salt for Roses

For flowering plants like roses, Epsom salt works wonders.A teaspoon of Epsom salt is spread around the base of the plant during transplanting and then during flowering. Application of Epsom salts for rose plants, encourages Basal Canes. Basal canes are those thick stems that arise from the bottom part of the stem above the graft joint. Basal canes are vigorous stems that produce lots of flowers and foliage.