Why I Use Epsom Salt in the Garden

Daox · 09-17-10, 06:41 AM

I've personally never heard of epsom salt so thats why I'm posting. I know Higgy has used it and could probably add some info here.

Quote:

Q: Why is Epsom Salt good for plants?
A: Epsom Salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is a mineral plants need for a stronger root structure and to facilitate the uptake of chlorophyll. Its use is advocated by many master gardeners and landscape professionals.

Why I Use Epsom Salt in the Garden

benpope · 09-17-10, 02:49 PM

Looks like it is especially useful in a plant's growth stage since magnesium is a component of chlorophyll. From the source of all knowledge, Wikipedia:

Quote:

In agriculture and gardening, magnesium sulfate is used to correct magnesium deficiency in soil, since magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule. It is most commonly applied to potted plants, or to magnesium-hungry crops, such as potatoes, roses, tomatoes, peppers and cannabis. The advantage of magnesium sulfate over other magnesium soil amendments (such as dolomitic lime) is its high solubility.

nibs · 09-17-10, 09:19 PM

Swmbo wants to know how to apply the epsom salts.

Daox · 09-18-10, 11:50 AM

Quote:

...sprinkle Epsom Salt around the base of each plant.

tadaaaaaa

Higgy · 09-20-10, 12:03 PM

Yes, you can sprinkle about a teaspoon full around the base of the plant or put some in your watering can and it will desolve in the water. I actually wish I would have remembered to re-apply it later on. But it did wonders in turning my newly planted tomatoes and peppers from yellow to green. When I transplanted them into the garden, they went yellow very fast. After reading up on epsom salt I had some and used it on my plants and within days they returned to a nice green color. I had actually watered all my plants with them and man, did they grow well.

basjoos · 10-13-10, 11:49 AM

Magnesium is only one of the many elements needed for healthy plant (and human) health. If your soil is deficient in magnesium, it is also likely to be deficient of many of the other elements needed by plants so you would be better served by adding seaweed, sea solids, or some other complete source of the elements required by plants.

10-13-10, 11:49 AM	#6
basjoos Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Magnesium is only one of the many elements needed for healthy plant (and human) health. If your soil is deficient in magnesium, it is also likely to be deficient of many of the other elements needed by plants so you would be better served by adding seaweed, sea solids, or some other complete source of the elements required by plants. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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09-17-10, 09:19 PM	#3
nibs Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts	Swmbo wants to know how to apply the epsom salts.

09-20-10, 12:03 PM	#5
Higgy The Gardener Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manitoba - Canada Posts: 492 Thanks: 17 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Yes, you can sprinkle about a teaspoon full around the base of the plant or put some in your watering can and it will desolve in the water. I actually wish I would have remembered to re-apply it later on. But it did wonders in turning my newly planted tomatoes and peppers from yellow to green. When I transplanted them into the garden, they went yellow very fast. After reading up on epsom salt I had some and used it on my plants and within days they returned to a nice green color. I had actually watered all my plants with them and man, did they grow well.