Epsom Salt and Gardening?

Who knew Epsom Salts were great for gardening...Hmmmm not just a foot soak?? I didn't! My sister told me the other day a friend of hers who by the way grew up on a pig farm...puts a scoop of Epsom salts in the hole before she plants the flowers and veggies... Needless to say her plants are beautiful and lush... And according to her friend she does little to keep them looking so amazing...That is accept the Epsom salts... I've come to realize that much of the success your garden will produce comes from what you do to your garden before you even plant the plants???? HMMMM What ??? Yes indeed I didn't misspeak...Before not after. Amending the soil, adding compost, mulch and other things like salt really kick start your garden and make it lots easier to grow a bountiful harvest. Work smarter not harder...To often we, myself included plop those plants in the ground. Then we try and back track to take care of them, hoeing, constant weeding, constant watering and applying fertilizers??? But what if the soil was already healthy and fertile...what if you didn't need to weed 2 times a week, what if the soil maintained moisture levels on its own... Less work...More work in the beginning but in the long run, your back and your veggies will thank you...smile

Using Epsom salt in gardening is not a new concept. This “best kept secret” has been around for many generations, but does it really work and, if so, how? Let’s explore the age-old question so many of us have asked at one time or another: Why put Epsom salts on plants?

Is Epsom Salt Good for Plants?

Yes, there seem to be good, relevant reasons for using Epsom salts for plants. Epsom salt helps improve flower blooming and enhances a plant’s green color. It can even help plants grow bushier. Epsom salt is made up of hydrated magnesium sulfate (magnesium and sulfur), which is important to healthy plant growth.

Why Put Epsom Salts on Plants?

Why not? Even if you don’t believe in its effectiveness, it never hurts to try it. Magnesium allows plants to better take in valuable nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus. It also helps in the creation of chlorophyll, which is vital for photosynthesis. In addition, magnesium greatly improves a plant’s ability to produce flowers and fruit.
If the soil becomes depleted of magnesium, adding Epsom salt will help; and since it poses little danger of overuse like most commercial fertilizers, you can use it safely on nearly all your garden plants.

How to Water Plants with Epsom Salts

So want to know how to water plants with Epsom salts? It’s easy. Simply substitute it for regular watering either once or twice a month. Keep in mind that there are a number of formulas out there, so go with whatever works for you.
Before applying Epsom salt, however, it’s a good idea to have your soil tested to determine whether it’s deficient of magnesium. You should also be aware that many plants, like beans and leafy vegetables, will happily grow and produce in soils with low levels of magnesium. Plants like rose, tomatoes and peppers, on the other hand, require lots of magnesium and, therefore, are more commonly watered with Epsom salt.
When diluted with water, Epsom salt is easily taken up by plants, especially when applied as a foliar spray. Most plants can be misted with a solution of 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water once a month. For more frequent watering, every other week, cut this back to 1 tablespoon.
With roses, you can apply a foliar spray of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water for each foot of the shrub’s height. Apply in spring as leaves appear and then again after flowering.
For tomatoes and peppers, apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt granules around each transplant or spray (1 tbsp. per gallon) during transplanting and again following the first bloom and fruit set.