Epsom salt can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Most people use it to make a bath more beneficial when it comes to soothing aching muscles that have been overused. There are also many other benefits to using it, both in and out of the home. Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate and it contains both sulfur and magnesium. It turns out that both of those are beneficial to plants, so Epsom salt is great to have on hand if you do any gardening.
Gardeners will often use Epsom salt while they are working outside. Once you understand the true benefit that Epsom salt has to provide, you will never be without a bag while you are doing your work around the home. It’s a great way to benefit your plants without adding a lot of harsh chemicals that can harm both you and the environment. Here are a few ways that it can be used.
1. Pest control
Put some Epsom salt in your garden or flowerbeds and you will find that snails, slugs, and groundhogs are no longer a problem. You can sprinkle some around the plants or make a solution with warm water to spray around the area.
2. Green lawns
Bob Vila endorses this particular tip. If you want your grass to be greener, sprinkle some Epson salt around the lawn with a seed spreader or by hand.
3. Kill weeds
You can get rid of weeds by mixing up 1 gallon of white vinegar with 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1/4 cup of dish soap. Spray it on the weeds directly. The soap helps it stick to the weeds and the salt dehydrates the weeds. It is best to use vinegar with 10% acidity.
4. Bigger tomato and pepper yield
You should always have Epsom salt on hands when you grow tomatoes or peppers. It can increase the size of the fruit and boosts the flavor. Just toss some dry Epsom salt at the base of the plant. 1 tablespoon for each foot of height should do. The ground in the area should be watered immediately afterward and it can be applied every two weeks. You can also mix one or 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt with a gallon of water and spray it in the area.
5. Sweet fruit
Use Epsom salt to sweeten the crops. Sprinkle a handful around the cantaloupes or do the same for peaches, watermelon, strawberries or citrus. Repeat every two weeks.
6. Revitalize the leaves
The leaves of the plants can turn yellow and curly. It is sometimes a magnesium deficiency that causes this problem. Sprinkle some Epson salt in the area.
7. Trees
If you have palm trees in your yard, put one or 2 cups of Epsom salt around the trunks. If you have tree stumps, drill holes in the stump 8 inches deep and fill them with Epsom salt, adding enough water to moisten. Cover the stump with dirt or a tarp and it will rot.
8. Roses
Gardeners love how Epsom salt colors the roses. Rake a tablespoon into the soil and water it once per month. You can also spray a mixture of 1/2 cup Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water one or two times monthly.
9. Nourish the soil
Sprinkling some Epsom salt around the garden helps to add magnesium and sulfur. It’s a great idea for plants inside the home as well.
10. Germination
Water with 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and adding it to the soil before planting will help germinate seeds and reduce transplant shock.
11. Issues with gardening
If you have bee stings, poison ivy, sunburn or other outdoor issues, you can use an Epsom salt compress to reduce the problem. 1 cup water with 2 tablespoons of dissolved Epsom salt works as a base.
Make sure that you always have some Epsom salt on hand. It will help your plants to grow and will keep your soil ready for the next year’s crops.
H/T: Tip Hero