Epsom Salts - Yes or No

Market Boy

Hi Fellow Gardeners.

What are your views on sprinkling Epsom Salts around plants in the Garden and for Fruit & vegetables.

I am interested in finding your views as some say use it all the time others say don't bother. What if you do, do you use Epsom Salts for and why.

pansyface

YES OR NO? WELL, MAYBE.

BUT I WOULDN'T SPRINKLE IT ON. TOO STRONG.

TAKE A LOOK HERE.

How to use Epsom salts? It’s easy. Simply substitute it for regular watering either once or twice a month. Keep in mind that there are a number of formulas out there, so go with whatever works for you. Before applying Epsom salt, however, it’s a good idea to have your soil tested to determine whether it’s deficient of magnesium. You should also be aware that many plants, like beans and leafy vegetables, will happily grow and produce in soils with low levels of magnesium. Plants like rose, tomatoes and peppers, on the other hand, require lots of magnesium, and therefore, are more commonly watered with Epsom salt. When diluted with water, Epsom salt is easily taken up by plants, especially when applied as a foliar spray. Most plants can be misted with a solution of 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water once a month. For more frequent watering, every other week, cut this back to 1 tablespoon. With roses, you can apply a foliar spray of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water for each foot of the shrub’s height. Apply in spring as leaves appear and then again after flowering. For tomatoes and peppers, apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt granules around each transplant or spray (1 tbsp. per gallon) during transplanting and again following the first bloom and fruit set.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Information About Using Epsom Salts For Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/epsom-salt-gardening.htm

Obelixx

I have only ever used it as a foliar feed - 15ml of salts to 5litres of water - on plants looking a bit chlorotic but then my last garden was exceedingly fertile.   Parts of this one are too but parts have never been cultivated and seem to have solid clay or sand in different bits.   I have Epsom salts on standby for my new rhodos and camellias, just in case but they will be used only as a foliar feed.

Market Boy

Thanks for your input. I will have a go with ES as a foliar feed as advised next season and see how I get on.