Epsom salts contain high amounts of the nutrients, magnesium, sulfur and oxygen which are vital to both our bodies and our gardens. Here are 2 ways you can use epsom salt to boost your soils health.
![flowers in a terrra cotta pot with epsom salts beside it](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-13-768x1024.jpg)
Epsom salt has many, many uses. You are probably familiar with using epsom salts as a mineral-rich bath.
This salt is rich in magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. The magnesium found in epsom salts is extremely beneficial to our soils.
Soil, especially in our current day and age, are often highly deficient in magnesium. This may be due to soil erosion, tillage and other factors.
Using a bit of epsom salt on your garden can help boost your soil health, and therefore the health of your plants.
Healthier plants lead to healthier veggies and healthier veggies leads to a healthier body.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt, gets its name from where it was discovered, Epsom, England.
Another name for this salt is, magnesium sulfate, because it is high in both magnesium and sulfate.
Although it is edible, epsom salt tastes very bitter, therefore it used more often as a bath salt rather than table salt.
Epsom salt is a very natural way to up your soil and body’s magnesium levels.
![flowers in a pot with epsom salt beside it](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-12-1024x768.jpg)
How to apply epsom salt
There are two common methods you can use to apply epsom salt to your garden and flower pots.
The first method you can use is to sprinkle a small amount of epsom salt all over the ground and soil surrounding your plants. It is recommended to use about 1 teaspoon of epsom salt for 1 square foot of ground.
This method is best used when it is going to rain or your soil is already moist. This will help to dissolve the salt, making the nutrients more readily available to the soil.
The second method is to make an epsom salt water to water your plants with.
This method is great to use if you are having to water your plants anyways. Especially if you are going through a time of little rain.
How often should you apply epsom salts?
Whichever method you use (sprinkling or watering) you should only do this to your plants about once a month.
If you use too much epsom salt, you could potentially provide your soil with more magnesium than it needs, which can result in damaged soil and burnt plants.
Using epsom salts once (and up to twice) per month will help restore healthy levels of magnesium to your soil, especially if it has been damaged, such as by tilling or erosion.
![woman sprinkling epsom salt on some flowers](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-17-768x1024.jpg)
How to spread epsom salt
To spread epsom salt on your garden or plants, take a small handful and sprinkle the surrounding areas of your plants.
Use about 1 teaspoon of epsom salt per square foot of soil.
Example: For 100 square feet of soil, spread one cup of epsom salt. For 50 square feet add one half of a cup of epsom salt.
![epsom salt solution in a jar](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-4-768x1024.jpg)
How to make epsom salt solution
To a gallon of water, add 2 tablespoons of epsom salts. Mix this together and water your plants with it, or you can spray it directly onto the plants leaves.
You can do this about once a month for most plants. Peppers, tomatoes, and roses you can water with this epsom salt solution twice a month or more.
Make sure to observe how your plants are doing to make sure they are not getting too much epsom salt.
![woman watering daisies with epsom salt solution](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-10-1024x768.jpg)
Signs of too much epsom salt
If you feed you plants too much epsom salt, they will have an excess amount of magnesium.
Too much magnesium will not let the plant absorb enough calcium, which is also very important for the health of the plant.
While adding magnesium to your soil is very beneficial, it can also cause a lot of harm. More is not always better when it comes to adding nutrients to your soil.
Here are some things to watch for while using epsom salt for fertilizer. If any of these start occurring, stop using epsom salt for awhile.
- stunted growth
- burned roots
- dark green foliage
Epsom Salt Solution for Fertilizer
Materials
- 2 tablespoons epsom salt
- 1 gallon water
Instructions
- Mix the epsom salt into the water.
- Pour into a watering can or spray bottle to use.
Notes
Shop this post
Pin it for later
![how to use epsom salt for plant fertilizer magnesium rich pinnable image](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/How-to-Use-Epsom-Salt-for-Plant-Fertilizer-683x1024.png)
Have you tried using epsom salt on your garden?
How did it work for you? Let us know in the comment section below!
Leave a Reply