If you are a home gardener looking to make fertilizer from Epsom salt, there are some practical ways to use magnesium sulfate. Its effect not only promotes the growth of plants, but also deters pests. The stuff also makes the lawn even lusher and even benefits houseplants. So here are 10 ways to use Epsom saltFertilization for your gardenor make your own for potting soil in your home. However, before you get familiar with it, there is some useful information about it that is also worth mentioning here.
Good reasons to use Epsom salt to fertilize your garden
You've probably already heard about the amazing and healing properties of Epsom salt. Did you know that the minerals it contains also yourGarden plants thrive betterlet? Magnesium sulfate is inexpensive, natural, and non-toxic when used correctly. Known as Epsom salt, the compound MgSO4 is a great helper for virtually anything you want to grow. Magnesium sulfate, which looks like regular table salt, can also help increase nutrient absorption in plants. However, before using Epsom salt on plants, it's important to know how to use and store it safely.
Agricultural or technical grade Epsom salt is intended for garden and outdoor use. Despite its general safety, Epsom salt has natural laxative properties, so keep loose salts away from children and pets. ThereMagnesium sulfate through the skinis absorbed, you should also definitely wear gloves when applying magnesium sulfate to your plants. Finally, it is also advisable to test your soil first to know which minerals are low or missing.
UseEpsom salt for vegetablesor other plants, but only if the soil is poor in magnesium, nitrogen or sulfur. Once you address these safety concerns, you'll find that unlike most types of chemical fertilizers, Epsom salt won't build up in your soil or poison your groundwater. Instead, Epsom salt application promises stronger seedlings, more lush flowers, tastier fruit, fewer pests and increased plant resilience.
Support seed cultivation in the garden with Epsom salt
Magnesium promotes seed germination by strengthening cell walls and providing more energy for growth. Sulfur is easily lost during the germination process, so apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water to the soil after sowing. Alternatively, you can mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt into each hole before planting the seeds. For grass seeds and wildflowers, sprinkle one cup of Epsom salt per 10 square feet, mix into the soil, and water thoroughly. Apply a drenching of Epsom salts to the seedlings every month during the growing season.
Promote plant nutrient absorption with Epsom salt fertilizer
Scientific testing shows that magnesium sulfate can increase cellular absorption of key minerals, including nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. In a recent study, testers from different regions gave pepper plants a standard drink of 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in 4 liters of water twice a month. The majority of the plants treated with it had thicker foliage and larger vegetables.
How Magnesium Sulfate Helps Plants Root
Transplanted roots need loving care. To support this and prevent wilting and leaf discoloration, you can mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 liter of water and apply the mixture to the roots of newly potted plants until the soil is saturated. Additionally, you might also try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of dry salt directly into the hole before transplanting a bush or flowers. After tamping the soil, water thoroughly with water.
Use Epsom salt against pests
Magnesium sulfate is a natural pest repellent. Instead of using plain table salt to dehydrate and repel slugs, for example, banish the pests with Epsom salt, giving roots and flowers a boost in the process. For general pest control, mix one cup of Epsom salts with 5 gallons of water and use a sprayer to apply to foliage. To control slugs and such pests in the garden, you can also sprinkle dry Epsom salts on the soil around the base of plants.
Making plants more vibrant with Epsom salt
When you spray the leaves of your plants with magnesium sulfate, they become stronger, which promotes the plants' vivacity. A mineral deficiency can disrupt photosynthesis, leach green color from leaves, and impair nutrient absorption. If more mature leaves turn yellow and curl, this may indicate a magnesium deficiency. So, using a spray bottle, try distributing the mixture of one tablespoon of Epsom salt and four cups of water for every foot of plant height. Plants absorb magnesium best when you apply it directly to their leaves.
Use Epsom salt on tomatoes and other vegetables
In addition to the benefits of making fertilizer from Epsom salt, it also works as a perfect flavor enhancer. Each month during the growing season, mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt with every quart of water and apply the solution liberally to the roots of fruit and nut trees, vines, and beds. Another technique is to apply two tablespoons of dry salt to a 9-foot root bed area three times a year. Peppers and tomatoes can also benefit from adding some Epsom salt to the garden soil. Before planting seeds, add one to two tablespoons of Epsom salt to the soil of each hole. During the growing season, use a spray bottle with two tablespoons of magnesium sulfate to every quart of water and apply to the leaves once a month.
Promote the growth of lawns with magnesium sulfate
If your soil tests positive for magnesium deficiency, Epsom salt can help your lawn achieve maximum growth and lushness. Professionals and garden care experts recommend applying 1.5 kilos of Epsom salt per 115 square meters of lawn with a spreader. Lightly sprinkle the salts and then water your lawn with a hose or sprinkler system.
Treat houseplants with Epsom salt fertilizer
Using magnesium sulfate on plants in your home can significantly improve their nutrient absorption. Epsom salt ispH neutral and gentle on houseplants, including potted plants. To increase nutrient absorption, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with 4 liters of water and spray on the leaves rather than the roots for maximum absorption. Alternatively, you can add the salts directly to the soil: 1 teaspoon of salt per 30 cm of plant height. Try adding Epsom salt to your houseplants every month, paying attention to subtle changes in leaf vibrancy and growth.
Easily remove tree stumps with magnesium sulfate
Easily remove tree stumps by first drying them with Epsom salt. A professional stump removal service can be expensive depending on the size. If you have a means toDo-it-yourself tree stump removal, however, you can use Epsom salt to kill the remains of a felled tree first. Use an electric drill to drill holes around the top of the stump. These holes should be about half the depth of the stump and a few inches apart. Then pour dry Epsom salts into the holes and slowly add water to moisten but not saturate the salts. Cover the stump with a tarp to repel rain and ensure the drying process. The salts dehydrate the wood over several weeks, and as it dries out you can chop off most of the stump with an ax and soon dig up and discard the root system.
Grow roses with Epsom salt
Once you use Epsom salt on roses, you won'tother fertilizerwant to use more for it. The magnesium in Epsom salt benefits both new and established rose bushes. It helps to supplement with a slow-release rose fertilizer that contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Before planting a new rose bush, add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to the bottom of each hole. For grown roses, add a tablespoon of salt per gallon of water and mist the foliage as the plants begin to leaf out in spring and again during bloom.
