Most people have heard of Epsom salt and they typically associate it with baths, as this natural salt from Epsom, England is probably best known as a way to help relieve your body’s aches and pains. Or perhaps you’ve even been one of the unfortunate ones who’s had to use Epsom salt as a laxative. Yes, Epsom salt can do wonders for your personal health. But if that’s all you think it can do, you’ve been missing out in a big way. For instance, did you know that Epsom salt can also be an effective gardening tool?
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which therefore provides soil and fertilizer with a boost in minerals that. In other words, your plants will be able to get more nutrition from the soil and fertilizer that it’s rooted in. Who would have thought? Anyway, check out these amazing ways you can use Epsom salt in your home garden.
1. Produce More And Tastier Nightshades
Plants in the nightshade family include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. All nightshade plants need magnesium, as it will help them produce greater yields and more flavourful nightshades! It’s recommended that you sprinkle 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of Epsom salt around the base of your plants. Alternatively, mix the salt with a gallon of water and water the plants with the mixture. Repeat this every two weeks.
2. Thwart Garden Pests
While Epsom salt won’t make snails and slugs shrivel up like table salt, they do irritate them. Moreover, Epsom salt is similar to diatomaceous earth, keeping pests away. Note that the salt is water soluble so reapplications are necessary.
3. Make Your Fruits Sweeter
By adding Epsom salt to trees, bushes, and vines that produce fruits, you help boost the chlorophyll inside the plant, therefore increasing its sugar production.
4. Eliminate Weeds
Mix a couple of cups of Epsom salt with a gallon of vinegar and some liquid dish detergent. Put the mixture into a spray bottle, and spray it on any weeds that pop up. Just be sure to avoid spraying any plants that you want to live!
5. Overcome Transplant Shock
When repotting plants or moving them from indoor to outdoor planting, they sometimes experience “shock” and begin to die. This is known as “transplant shock” as is typically the result of the roots being damaged during transportation. Epsom salt can help your plants overcome this shock. You can either sprinkle some Epsom salt around the soil near the base of the plant and then water it, or sprinkle Epsom salt into the hole or planter that your plant will be moving to. But before moving your plant, make sure you cover the Epsom salt with a bit of dirt.
6. Keep Leaves Green
Leaves turning yellow? Your plants might not be getting enough magnesium! Try giving your plants 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for every 12 inches of height, once person month.
7. Tree Stump Removal
Removing a tree stump can be very costly so try using this trick instead! Drill holes into the stump and fill them with Epsom salt. Within weeks, the stump should begin rotting away.
8. Lawn Fertilizer
Is your lawn looking dull? Try adding 3 pounds of Epsom salt for ever 1,250 square feet of grass and then watering your lawn.
9. Stunning Roses
Want gorgeous roses? Sprinkle some Epsom salt at the time of planting and when the flowers are in bloom. The salt encourages the rose bushes to produce larger flowers with deeper colors!
10. Splinter Removal
Got a splinter while gardening? Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt with warm water and soak the affected area. This will help draw the splinter out of your skin.
11. Give Your Ferns A Boost
Mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt with a gallon of water and spray your ferns and similar plants, such as elephant ears. The result? Rich, dark foliage!
12. Fight “Frizzle Top”
If you have palm trees (lucky you!) then you might be familiar with the yellowing that can occur at the top. This is known as “frizzle top” and it’s due to a lack of magnesium. Spray the crown and base with some Epsom salt and water.
13. Increase Nutrient Uptake
By adding Epsom salt to the soil around your plants, you help them to more efficiently absorb other nutrients. This is why many fertilizers include magnesium.
14. Stop Leaf Curling
Curling leaves is a sign that your plants are lacking magnesium, so try adding a tablespoon of Epsom salt to the soil around the plant!
15. Better Potted Plants
Potted plants are more prone to becoming magnesium deficient so try adding 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to the surrounding soil once a month.
Amazing! Who would have thought that Epsom salt could do so much for your home garden? Make sure you check the existing magnesium levels in your soil and let us know if you give this a try. And don’t forget to share these tips with your family and friends!
Also, click on the video below to get one gardener’s first-hand experience with Epsom salt in their garden!
