is it epsom salt time zone eight austin tx

is it too early to start putting epsom outside on my roses and such thanks georgiapeach

I fertilize my roses with rose fertilizer when I prune them in mid-February.
I prefer to apply epsom salt by itself (not in conjunction with another fertilizer) and apply it about four weeks (mid-March) after I've already applied the complete fertilizer.

I wait until am pretty sure there will be no more hard freezes (usually mid- to late March) to fertilize my other plants with complete fertilizers. Then, I apply the epsom salts 2 weeks later.

Others apply the epsom salt at the same time that they use the complete fertilizers.

Not too late, at all :0)

I usually try to put down my alfalfa and epsom every Valentines day. That is what the texas rose growers recommend, and it is an easy day to remember.

htop-why don't you put them down together? Did it make something negative happen?

seedpicker_TX, nothing negative has happened. I always like to see if the plants need the epsom salt after I have provided the balanced fertilizer. The epsom salt can build up in the soil. A lot of my plants are in containers and I am always afraid that I may be giving them too much of a "good thing". If the plants have healthy, green new growth after the complete fertilizer has been applied, I wait to apply the epsom salt. Maybe I am overly cautious. :o)

OK,
I have to ask a stupid question. What is the epsom salt for exactly and do you put it on all your plants?

it is not a stupid question, but I've forgotten the answer...I just know it helps the plant put out new growth. :0)

maybe this will help:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf828370.tip.html

Thanks for the info and the website. I added it to my favorites at it looks like it has lots of useful and interesting information.
Bonnie

I'm cautious like Htop. I've heard such stern reports of how magnesium sulfate can build up over time and be hard to correct. Hard to know for sure without a soil test.

I give it to roses every now and then. It reportedly promotes basel breaks along rose canes. I don't see much difference, not like I do with the gardenias. Since I started using it on the gardenias, I don't ever have to put down iron, they stay green with one application of ES in the spring.

My other concern is I have a lot of salvia. All ES info out there says not to apply to culinary sage??? Wouldn't that affect the salvia as well??? That one has bugged me a long time...I'm headed to the salvia forum.LOL

I do the big prune, fresh mulch, and epsom salts around Valentine's day. Actually gave the roses their first batch of alfalfa tea this morning. Will do a black strap molasses/compost tea next week or so.

I try to avoid epsom salts on salvia for the above reasons. Last year, I added epsom salts to the alfalfa tea at the very end, and the salvia got some also (no ill effects)

I really noticed the difference in my application from last year. I have old roses and they really enjoyed the epsom salt. thanks for all the imformation. I just love dave's garden!

There has been a lot of discussion about Epsom Salt on the Tomato forum. It is my understanding from my MD that it breaks down the surface tension of water and makes the nutrients more avaliable. That is why it is used to soak sore muscles and as a laxative.
Lisa

I took some pictures many, many years ago, the first time I "experimented" with epsom salts and alfalfa.

Here were two newly purchased rose bushes. The one on the left was large and healthy, already, so didn't put any on it.

The one on the right was smaller, so decided to put the alfalfa and epsom on it. If you look closely, you can see the new growth all over it. This picture was taken only two weeks after I applied it.

and probably an even better example are the difference in hips that year...they speak for themselves

The ones I gave alfalfa and epsom to, just did so much better, ...more basal breaks, more flowers, bigger flowers(thus the larger hips), etc.

I was convinced.

The only thing I might mention, is that if you put too much on a rose bush, and don't scratch it in well with a garden fork, it can get moldy & attract gnats. Too much of a good thing is bad, lol...

I put a cup of each on mine, but really spread it around in about a foot and a half diameter circle around the base of the rose, and scratch it in well...

from wikipedia on epsom salts:

Alfalfa contains triacontanol.....from Google

I added epsom salts to my angel trumpets' containers 3 or so days ago. I had thought about sprinkling it all over my grass that really looks bad and then watering it in. Due to the expected heavy rains. I did not so so fearing that downpours would wash it down the street (yard slants toward street). With the slow, penetrating rain, I wish that I had. All of the grass surrounding the containers with the angel trumpets and along the slope where the water ran is nice and green after just a few days; whereas, the other grass is just starting to green up.

I could not find alfalfa pellets. I bought a large bag of finely shredded alfalfa (almost a meal, very dusty). Can I just place this on top of the soil around my plants or add it to the soil or do I need to soak it in water to make a tea? I do not know if it has been aged so I am afraid that it may burn the plants' roots as it decomposes.

This message was edited Mar 14, 2009 11:26 AM

I have used the meal before. It works fine, and dissolves faster.

I would only caution you to use a mask when you use it. The particles are so fine, that it is hard not to end up breathing it, and can't be good for your lungs

seedpicker_TX, thanks for the info. I was worried about the dust and I'll have to find my mask. Did you just sprinkle it around your plants?

I scratched about a cup per rose, and scratched it in with a gardening fork. I also added a cup of epsom, at the same time.
:0)

Hazel, I use fresh alfalfa everywhere (it's my main fertilizer) and have never had it burn anything. I do like the meal better, when I can get it. It works well as a tea, too, but the meal/pellets are easier to spread than lugging all that heavy liquid around. It's really up to you.

Patti, don't you have problems with rabbits though because of the alfalfa?

I do have problems with rabbits, but not so much from the alfalfa. I use alfalfa tea wherever the critters can get to it. So, instead, the rabbits eat my hostas down the ground. :( But they're feasting in everyone's yards, not just mine.

I did have a big bag of alfalfa pellets that spilled in the garage last year. I didn't find it as fast as the rats did. Now I store all the "edibles" in metal garbage cans.

Hmmm. Well I think I'll just stick with alfalfa tea. I already have deer in my yard and don't want to make it worse. They don't eat my hostas because they are all in the front yard and they seem to be afraid to go there.

I have my alfalfa pellets in the laundry room. I thought about putting it in something I could close tight. Probably should still do that.

I get alfalfa pellets at the feed store along with dried molasses and corn meal. Use the rubber maid type tubs to store them in. We have used epsom salts for years by spreading it the same time we do the Scotts (just mix both in the spreader). We have no weeds and the deepest turf on the block. Have used Scotts Turf Builder for years but not until we added the ES did we have such a difference. I use ES and alfalfa pellets in all of my flower beds and the vegetable garden before planting. Last year everything flourished in spite of the drought.

Oh boy, I can't wait to see the difference in my own yard. It's always such a struggle to keep up with watering everything and even when I do summer is still stressful for everything.

seedpicker_TX, pbtxlady and LouC, thanks for all of the information. I feel more confident about using the alfalfa meal now. I don't think I have to fret about rabbits. Field rats are my main problem. They have been eating my plants around the patio to the ground. Maybe, I'll leave them a pile of alfalfa to eat. :o)

LouC, I can't wait to use the epsom salts on my lawn.

Mary Lee, I am sure glad I don't have to worry about deer.

We have used epsom salts for years by spreading it the same time we do the Scotts (just mix both in the spreader).

I use a similar method. I put compost + epsom salts + a bit of green sand in the spreader. I do get some weeds (I think from the compost)

collincountytx, I had never thought to add other materials into the spreader along wit the fertilizer. Thanks for the info.

As so many ads do, I might need to give a disclaimer. "All results are not typical." hahaha

I have great confidence in the Epsom Salt. I am not a chemist or a botanist or anything special. I saw the results someone else got and decided to give it a try. Viola!! Afraid I am not careful about how much or when, just if I think it looks a little "peeked". Will try to get a picture of my rose bushes later today.

This picture was mid-May '08. Hard to find a picture with the turf, not my usual focus.

Good luck.

I tried it last year, but didn't see much difference. Of course, I only did it once. This year, I want to try alfalfa pellets along with my other stuff.

collincountytx, I had never thought to add other materials into the spreader along wit the fertilizer. Thanks for the info.

You're welcome. I keep looking for alfalfa meal to add to my spreader concoction, but the three feed stores in my area only carry the pellets. So I make a batch of alflafa tea for my lawn (very small lawn)

The pellets are made principally for rabbit and horse food. The organic gardening is an aside from that.

LouC, looks great! Thanks for the photo.

I had never heard about the Epsom Salts but after reading this I went right out and bought some and quickly applied it to my Roses even if it is a bit late in the season ..Do Y'all think that I would help with the problem of deformed fruit on some of my tomatos ,My maters are planted for the most part in planters but without bottums as I like for them to "deep root"

Grits, I have no time or season. I use it on everything. There is a very long thread that ran a couple of years ago here on DG. Many who are very knowledgeable stepped in an gave the scientific explanation. I will see if I can find it.

Christi

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/710228/#post_3377077

Hope this shows up as a link. If not, copy and paste in the address block.