Epsom salt #ad is not table salt, it is actually hydrated Magnesium Sulfate (10% magnesium and 13% sulphur) that offers an environmentally safe non-toxic way to fertilize your garden.
Magnesium helps plants during germination by strengthening the plant cell walls. It also assists in the creation of chlorophyll and helps plants absorb phosphorus and nitrogen.
Sulfate also helps in the creation of chlorophyll and helps in the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The additional chlorophyll will make your plants with yellowing leaves greener and fruit bearing plants will produced bigger and sweeter fruit.
Epsom salt can also help reduce salt in older soil which can clog the roots of plants.
Another benefit of epsom salt is that it can make your plants bloom more often, be greener, and be healthier.
Before applying Epsom salt to your plants, make sure to test your soil for its magnesium content to see if additional magnesium is necessary.
Since Epsom Salt is also used for health purposes, you can often find it near the medicine or bath soap in your local store for around two or three dollars.
photo courtesy of 21TonGiant flickr.com/photos/rankingfuuta/5744889441/New Plants and Seeds
When planting new plants or seeds, mix 1 cup of Epsom salt per 100 square feet of soil before planting.
Plant your plants or seeds in your garden as you usually would and water well.
Existing Plants
For existing plants in your garden, once a month dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and water as usual.
You can put this soluction in a watering can or tank sprayer to water your plants. You can water the foliage as well as around the base of the plant.
This solution is good for both outdoor plants and indoor plants.
Epsom salts are especially beneficial for tomato plants, pepper plants, and roses that need high magnesium levels to thrive.
You can even sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt around a transplanted tomato or pepper plant in your garden to help younger plants thrive.
Treat tomato plants and pepper plants with epsom salt every 2 weeks to promote the health of your tomato plant.
Roses also benefit from epsom salt by making leaves a darker green color, creating more flowers, and making bigger flowers.
Treat your roses when planted, when they first start growing, and when the roses are in full bloom.
Lawn
Epsom salt can make your grass more lush, green, and soft.
If using a broadcast spreader to put the epsom salt on your lawn, use 1 pound of Epsom salt per 400 square feet of lawn.
You can also water your lawn with a tank sprayer using 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per 1 gallon of water.
Tree Stump Removal
If you have a tree stump in your yard that you want removed, simply drill several wide and deep holes in the tree stump using a drill.
Fill the holes with epsom salt. The epsom salt should dry out the tree stump and kill it.
This method may need to be repeated several times.
Weed Killer
Mix 2 cups of epsom salt with 1 gallon of vinegar and 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap to create a non-toxic weed killer.
When applying the weed killer, make sure to avoid the plants you want to keep.
Pest Control
Some experts say raccoons don't care for Epsom salt, so you can sprinkle some Epsom salt in areas you wish raccoons to stay away.
Slugs also don't like Epsom salt so you can sprinkle some near plants in your garden that you wish to protect.
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