What do you use Epsom Salts for in gardening?

I just saw that in a gardening catalogue. I thought Epsom Salts were for soaking tired feet, taking down the swelling in cat bites, etc.

Epsom salts are good for many things :) It's the minerals in it that plants like, don't over do it though, just a little goes a long way with plants.

I saw that they keep critters away from your bulbs, but I keep forgetting to use it...LOL

The use Ive heard of is to add magnesium to tomato plants and Ive heard some people use it for brugmansia but I dont know the prescription. Try google for the recipe.

http://www.suite101.com/content/the-miracle-mineral-a55531

I always use Epsom Salts around roses and clematis. It promotes more basal break (more stems).

Can I add it to my composter?

You could but I would add it directly to the plants.

I know that epsom salts add magnesium that is helpful for pepper plants in your vegetable garden. You can either sprinkle a tablespoon or so around the base of your plants that will feed as watered, or put the epsom into a water bottle and spray the mixture directly on the plants.

Wow! Thanks. I had no idea I had a magical potion in my bathroom cabinet!

No problem! I learned that from a book I call my gardening "bible"...it's called "Secrets from the Jerry Baker Test Gardens". If you don't have it, it's a MUST! He uses all home-made tonics, mixing them using beer, soda, dishwashing liquid...all things we have in our home. It sounded weird to me at first, but I've been doing these things for 2 years, and it works!

Help!!! Is epsom salts good for keeping critters away from daylilies? I have some that seem to like to dig around the daylilies and they have destroyed a couple of my favorites. Have lots of epsom salts from soaking an infected finger so can put them to good use if they will keep away whatever is digging in my flower beds.

Maria, always wondered about those Jerry Baker secrets...they really work, huh?

Jean - no, they won't help. Try sprinkling cayenne pepper. You can buy a jug of it at Costco, BJ's, etc. Any critter that puts its paws to its mouth to eat will get the effects of it and won't enjoy it. Gives them the same distress as it does to some people - HOT! Your other solution would be to put rocks down - large enough that the critters won't move them, to protect your plants.

Hi, flow...yes they do!! Amazing, and I tell everyone to get the book. I know he has other books, also, but that's the one I have, and it's worth every penny!! Jean, I've found cayenne to be good on the ground, but to keep it on leaves won't happen. In that case, chop a hot pepper and put in a spray bottle. Let it steep, and then spray onto the leaves. Works the same, and will be there till it rains.

I have a Jerry Baker book too and though I haven't used it yet, he seems to have solutions for everything! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating :) However, if you can't find something in one book, his others will probably work!
Love,
Ella

Hi everyone...Ella, his books do work, amazingly!! I was a doubter looking at it at first, but I think I need to ask him for commision on how many of his books I've sold by word of mouth! lol!! I like the layout of them, simple and to the point, and everything he uses I purchase at Dollar Tree...I'm sure I'm like everyone else who has spent mega-bucks on sprays from Home Depot with no effect. His work, though. If anyone has an invasive vine, (like I did, bittersweet vine) all you need is to find the mother-root, use a drill with a large bit, drill a hole in the center of the motherroot as far down as possible. Then simply fill with gasoline. After spending MANY hours, and MANY dollars fighting this horrible plant, this was the only thing that worked. I'm past a year now with no new growth. Hope this finds everyone well, and looking forward to spring! : ) Maria

awesome! i'll have to look for that book, good to know about the salt too.

How do I use Bone meal and Fish emulsion? I have rose climbers, hydrangeas(?), morning glories (which
are being eaten by "something", limes in containers and azaleas.
Thank you

Please post a close-up of the eaten leaves. That will help all of us help you.

Bone meal gets added to the mix when planting roses or clematis or whatever you are planting.

Fish emulsion (make sure it is deodorized!) is generally a liquid to be diluted according to directions for feeding plants. I've used it for ferns but even deodorized I still smell it.

You sure can even use old water from your fishtank! Provided you haven't added anything to treat the tank

I have heard that epsom salts add magnesium that is helpful for pepper plants in your vegetable or herb garden. You can either sprinkle a tablespoon or so around the base of your plants.

Agreed that Epsom salts are good for peppers. Also, when you're about to transplant tomato plants - plant them deep (covering the first leaves or even the first "true" leaves because tomatos will root along the buried stem) add a scoop of Epsom salts mixed with sugar to the planting hole. Sugar theoretically sweetens the tomatos the plant will produce and Epsom salts will make the plant vigorous.

Epsom salts are also beneficial to roses. As AileenEdword mentions - sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of established roses - and water in. If you're planting a new rosebush, add the Epsom salts to the planting hole. Other amendments that are good for roses are eggshells and banana peels. Crush eggshells. Snip banana peels into little pieces. Work them into the soil around rosebushes but don't dig 'em in too deep so as not to disturb the roots.

I just bought some today at dollar tree!!! Planting tomatoes tomorrow

I put my tomatoes and strawberries in yesterday and sprinkled this around the base, didn't see the slug on the strawberry till i saw him shrivel up and unsuccessfully slide away! Strawberries:1 slugs:0! :)

Fish emulsion is good for every plant I have ever grown. Used it for years. NO, it does not smell great when you mix it up (always dilute it way down) Fortunately the odor does not linger for long.