Perk up your plants with Epsom salts for better nutrient absorption

The idea

You can use Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt, which is magnesium sulfate. Use it for roses, salvias, fruit trees, and most other garden plants to improve root health and overall plant vigor. The application method is as follows:

1. Water the soil around the plant thoroughly before application.
2. For large, mature plants like big rose bushes, measure out approximately 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts.
3. For smaller plants, use about 1 tablespoon.
4. Sprinkle the measured Epsom salts directly onto the soil around the base of the plant.
5. Water the area again generously after application to help dissolve the salts and carry them into the soil.

Apply this during the active growing season and also around bare root planting times.

Why it works

Epsom salts are primarily magnesium sulfate, making them an excellent source of magnesium for plants. Magnesium plays two crucial roles in soil and plant health:

• Nutrient Absorption: Magnesium helps plant roots to 'open up' and more efficiently absorb essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil. This leads to a healthier and more vigorous plant.
• Soil pH Adjustment: In areas with high pH soils and water, magnesium can help to lower the soil pH. This makes the soil more acidic, which is beneficial for many plants as it improves the availability of other nutrients that might be locked up in alkaline conditions.

Try it

1. Prepare the soil: Water the soil around the plants you intend to treat until it is moist. This helps prevent root burn and aids in dissolving the salts.
2. Measure the salts: For smaller plants or those in pots, use 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts. For larger plants like mature rose bushes, fruit trees, or shrubs, use 2 tablespoons.
3. Apply: Sprinkle the Epsom salts evenly around the base of the plant, ensuring it lands on the soil and not directly on the foliage or stem.
4. Water in: Water the treated area thoroughly again. This helps the Epsom salts dissolve and move into the root zone where they can be absorbed by the plant.
5. Frequency: Apply this treatment every 2-4 weeks during the plant's active growing season, especially if you notice signs of magnesium deficiency (yellowing leaves with green veins).

Watch out for

• Always water: Ensure the soil is moist before and after applying Epsom salts. Applying to dry soil can concentrate the salts and potentially harm roots.
• Avoid over-application: While beneficial, too much magnesium can create an imbalance in the soil, potentially interfering with the uptake of other nutrients like calcium. Stick to the recommended quantities.
• Not a complete fertilizer: Epsom salts provide magnesium and sulfur but are not a substitute for a balanced fertilizer that supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use them as a supplement.
• Soil testing: If your soil already has sufficient magnesium, adding more might not be necessary. A soil test can confirm nutrient levels and guide your fertilization strategy.