epsom salts - what and how much?

What do epsom salts actually accomplish? and how much do you use? I swear I saw Martha Stewart putting about a cup of epsom salts around each rose, but P. Allen Smith just had a short on the weather channel and he only used a tablespoonful.

It is a source of magnesium. Not every soil needs it, so a soil test is advised first.

what does it do?

The minor elements are calcium, chloride, magnesium, iron, sodium, and sulphur
While the big three are Nitogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Magnesium aids in Photosynthesis. Magnesium deficiency exhibits symptom of slow gorwth with sometimes purpling of leaf portions.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0701/magnesium.asp
It was a tradition among old timers who depended on animal manures to add Epsom salts ( poured in a 12 inch circle around the plant) on tomatoes and peppers. I currently use dolomitic limestone which takes care of pH, calcium and magnesium problems. If you use a complete formulation like Miracle Grow, Parkers Soil Life or the like, they will contain all the major, minor, and trace elements.

I use banana peels and banana plants cuttings. My husband cuts our banana back in the late fall and winter here in Houston. Then he chops up the banana stalks and place them under the roses. They love it.
Great source of Potassium and all nature.

I am going to try to buy Peter's Excel from a local garden center this year. The owner uses it on her bedding plants she starts from seed.

I was told by a nursery owner in Montgomery, AL to use it on my azaleas as the leaves were yellowing somewhat. Worked like a charm.

I use small amounts of Epson salt in early spring around my roses....seems to help cut down on blk spot by boosting their health. I've heard it works great with tomatos too.....................

How's this? Straight from the box.

Shrubbery: Sprinkle 2 tbl around base of plant

Tomatoes or Roses: 1 tsp per foot plant height every 2 weeks

Lawns: 3 lbs per 1250 sq. ft.

Azaleas or Rhodendrons: Apply 1 tbl per 9 sq feet over root zone every 2-4 weeks.

Trees: Apply 1 tbl per 9 sq feet over root zone every 4 weeks.

Houseplants" 1 tbl per gallon water every 1-4 weeks

Oh lord never thougth to read the box! LOL
Thanks Frogs!

Gosh, I guess that whole cup that Martha Stewart used was a bit too much. Maybe she only did that when she planted a new rose. At any rate, I'll definitely use less, but add it every time I fertilize

With the other fertilizer that I use, I probably do not NEED it but old habits die hard. Besides, it's cheap.

Hey Gang, I read today that if you are over 50 that gardening is one of the top things to do to maintain balance and flexibility. Goodness knows it is somewhat more dignified than standing around on one leg lol. (Although that would be hard to believe if you would have seen me sliding around in the tomato bed with 2" of clay stuck to the bottoms of my sneakers.)

think how much balance and flexibility you use when you garden in the mountains, lol. Trying to stay upright while digging a hole is a challenge.

You said it! Even with 5 acres, I always look around after I've fallen or taken a dive over the sovel the make sure nobody saw me. LOL But I have learned, ALWAYS DIG UPHILL!

I like that, "Always dig uphill", hope Dave will use that as quote of the day sometime. Thanks mickgene