Most people have heard of Epsom salts as a cooking ingredient but it can also be used as a natural fertilizer. Gardeners have many uses for Epsom salts in their landscape gardening. It can be used for planting, growing, thinning, weeding, or even making compost. There are many things you can do with Epsom salts for your yard. These uses make this an excellent choice if you are considering using Epsom salts in your landscape gardening.
Gardeners also use Epsom salts to improve the growth of roses, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and grapefruits. Epsom salts have neutral pH levels which means it will not affect your garden soil’s pH. While Epsom salts are popular in landscaping, it is not without its detractors. One of the cons associated with the use of Epsom salts is that they are harmful to animals. Animals do not like being exposed to any chemical compounds, much less one that has been linked to diseases.
How it Effects Your Plants:
The primary reason why Epsom salts are added to a plant, whether it is in the ground or in the air, is for moisture. Plants need water in order to grow properly. Thicker root systems will hold more water, therefore resulting in larger blooms and more foliage. You can use one-half teaspoon of Epsom salts for every four cups of water. This will provide ample moisture for your rose bushes throughout the season. You should do this every two weeks during warm, dry weather.
Another great way to utilize Epsom salts for your landscape gardening is in the planting hole. Place an inch of the salt into the planting hole before you start can help the new plant to take root quickly. This can be especially helpful if you are expecting weather delays during the planting period. You can expect the new plant to emerge from the planting hole looking healthy in no time at all.
Epsom salts can be beneficial for other types of plants as well, such as roses. By applying the salt directly to the roots, you can promote deeper plant roots so that they receive the nutrients that they need to grow. These roots will also have a deeper reach out into the ground to receive the water and sun they need to thrive.
Other plants can benefit from the benefits of Epsom salts. Mixing a teaspoon of the salty solution in about a gallon of water, you can make a wonderful fertilizer. Make sure to dilute the solution with water first, then pour it into a spray bottle and add the fertilizer to the bottom of the container. Continue spraying the fertilizer until the plants begin to bloom.
Added Benefits of Epsom Salt
Epsom salts also play a role in the proper growth of a plant’s leaves and roots. When plants are young, the leaves contain a lot of water. As the plant grows older, the sodium and potassium in the soil help to regulate the amount of water the leaves in absorb. The more water that is absorbed, the fuller the leaves become. However, if the leaves in a plant are not properly supplied with these two essential nutrients, it can cause the plant to wilt. Using Epsom salts for this purpose will help the plant to maintain its normal level of moisture and nutrients.
Not only are plants grown in the garden able to receive the moisture and nutrition they need to grow, but the salt also serves to inhibit weeds. Plants that are grown with Epsom salts tend to grow faster than plants without the salt. For this reason, many people choose to use Epsom salts as part of their organic gardening program.
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