Epsom salt is a chemical compound consisting of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. This was originally discovered in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, thus the name. It’s been used in various ways including for body aches. But did you know that there are great Epsom salt uses in the garden?
Yes, you got that right. You can use Epsom salts for garden plants and help them grow beautifully. Here are 10 ways for how you can do it.
Epsom salt uses in the garden for healthier plants on pots
Keeping plants in pots healthy is a lot harder than it looks because they go magnesium-deficient faster.
To sort this out, you just have to add 2 tablespoons (or 30 ml) of Epsom salt around the plant. Note: Just do this once a month.
Increase nutrient absorption
Most commercial fertilizers are packed with magnesium, but why bother buying if you can get that from Epsom salt?
When you simply put Epsom salt on the soil around your beloved plants, they will absorb other nutrients that are present on the soil more efficiently.
Shoos garden pests away
We all know garden pests, they’re the number 1 enemy of gardeners and plant growers. While you are doing everything to the best of your ability, here they come munching away your greeneries.
Thankfully, Epsom salt is there to save the day. It does irritate pests, but you may need to sprinkle it more often onto your plants since it is water-soluble.
Great for nightshade plants
You can use Epsom salt for tomatoes and other nightshade plants that need a lot of magnesium.
Luckily, it’s one of the main components of Epsom salt. You can either sprinkle it at the base or mix it with water and then pour it in.
For best results, it’s highly recommended to keep adding Epsom salt to them every two weeks.
Exterminates weeds
Bid goodbye to pesky weeds in your garden.
Epsom salt is a great ingredient in getting rid of those unwanted greeneries. Create your own Epsom salt weed killer by mixing it with vinegar and some dishwashing liquid.
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and just sprinkle it on every weed that you see. Note: Just don’t spray it on your beloved plants.
Keeps leaves greener than ever
Plants’ leaves will start to turn yellow when they do not get enough magnesium. Thankfully, Epsom salt is rich in that.
Just feed your plants with 1 tablespoon ( or 15 ml) of it for every 12 inches (or 30 cm) of the height of the plant. Note: Just do this once a month.
Lush greeneries on your lawn
All greenery needs magnesium, and if your lawn looks dull then a little help from Epsom salt might do the trick. All you have to do is add 3 pounds (or 1.35 kg) of it to every 1,250 square feet (or 116 square meters) of land with grass.
Water your plants right after to make sure the soil absorbs every bit of it.
Make roses bloom more beautifully
Roses are sure beautiful but growing them is not the easiest task in the world. But this is where you’ll find that Epsom salts for roses could come in handy.
Just add Epsom salt on roses during planting time to give these flowers a special glow. You can also do that when its flowers are about to bloom.
Good against transplant shock
Transplant shock is often referred to as the physical stress a plant undergoes during the transplant process.
It happens when the roots of a plant get damaged. Epsom salt can prevent this from happening, you can apply it using two ways.
- Sprinkle on top of the soil near the base of the plant and then water it.
- Put it on the hole of the soil where you are transferring your plant and then cover it with a little dirt before putting the plant in.
Cures leaf curling
When the leaves of your plant start to curl, that means it’s lacking magnesium.
To cure this, just sprinkle the soil with 1 tablespoon (or 15 ml) of Epsom salt and you should be all set.
Takeaway
If you’re surprised by these uses for Epsom salts in garden, there are others who felt pretty much the same but are now reaping the benefits of these amazing hacks. Try out these Epsom salt uses in the garden, and watch your plants grow and thrive.
Source: DIY Everywhere, Health Line