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Despite popular advice , Epsom salt ( atomic number 12 sulphate ) is not a good plant fertlizer and extra harm waterways .
This is part of a serial on commongarden mythswhere we probe popular garden tips .
It’s a myth that Epsom salt benefits home gardens
The Epsom Salt Garden Myth
You ’ll get wind nurseryman gush about the benefits of Epsom Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ( Mg sulfate ) as a solution for , well , passably much everything : more vibrant flower , with child yields for veg , good seminal fluid sprouting , increase nitrogen uptake , vitamin product , sweeter tomatoes , pest command , weed control , light-green leaves and so on and so on .
Well , who would n’t require to use something so awesome in their garden ?
Only problem is , there ’s reallyno evidencefor any of this . And , we really do n’t require it in our waterways .
Hold the Epsom salt—the earth does not need it
Contents
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom saltis Mg sulfate . It ’s a white , transparent water - soluble satisfying . This is the formula for family Epsom common salt : MgSO4·7H2O
In agriculture , magnesium sulphate is used to correct magnesium deficiencies in the soil .
It is not advocate for home gardens because they are rarely magnesium lacking and spare can stimulate environmental issues .
Is it potential to join an on-line garden meeting place and not hear Epsom salinity urge over and over again ?
This is a classic case of gardeners spreadinganecdotaltips that voice wanton — and Epsom salinity marketer delighting in it — but the fact is that there is not any science behind it .
bear on : The Trouble With Anecdotal Garden Tips ( but it run for me ! )
And the claim are prosperous to expose .
Yes , Epsom Strategic Arms Limitation Talks will lend magnesium and sulphur to your garden . That ’s true .
But the hazard are your garden grime isnotdeficient in either of these thing . And this means your stain and plants do n’t postulate it .
Period .
It ’s basic science .
There are specific applications in agricultural configurations where mono crops in earnest deplete tilled land of its magnesium , but this does not understand into every day use in house gardens . We do not grow that intensely and a soil run will show you if any nutrient including Mg are at miserable degree . Odds are , it ’s not .
Does Epsom Salt Fertilize Plants?
As a fertilizer , Epsom common salt is very limited . It do n’t provide any atomic number 7 , phosphorus or K — the macro - alimentary NPKs of fertilizers .
Related : Beginner ’s Guide to Organic Fertilizers for Home Gardens
It does provide atomic number 12 and sulphur , which , as we discussed , are seldom deficient in home garden grease and are not in high demand by your works . Adding more will likely be of no welfare . And sure not cause some marvellous growth spurts or fruit like many title .
Is Epsom Salt a Harmless Weed Killer?
No . This is another myth .
As a weed killer , along with thedish soapand other household point propose in unnumerable homemade weed killer recipes online , take a step back and consider what it is you are redact into both your garden and the environs .
The only matter Epsom salt myths do is sell Epsom salt .
Just because it ’s in your kitchen cupboard does not make it dependable , beneficial , or harmless for the garden . And there are no specific properties in these things that target weed .
Basically , it ’s the same as tossing a bunch of random thing in the garden and hoping they somehow smother the job . Think of it like contrive garbage on your weeds . It ’s all stuff that has no concern in a livelihood , booming garden .
To me , the Epsom common salt garden folklore does nothing more than trade a hatful of Epsom salt .
Related : expose Odd Garden Tips from a Once - democratic Personality
Why Soil Tests Are Helpful
If you are desire to ameliorate your soil , a soil trial run by a local laboratory can help oneself determine any inadequacy .
Otherwise , if you keep your garden soil fed with annual software ofcompost , grease quality at a micronutrient degree may not ever be an issue .
Container plants may need fertilizing and there are plenitude of Cartesian product on the food market that moderate the literal nutrients your potting commixture may be deficient in . Epsom salt will not do this .
Related : Soil Testing : Home Kits versus research lab
Environmental Concerns
Consider the fully grown picture .
Theoretically , you could even doharmto your garden by adding too much Epsom saltiness — surplus atomic number 12 can produce deficiencies in other nutrient — and Epsom common salt is extremely soluble , which mean it can get intogroundwaterwhere it end up in rivers and lake , and that ’s not good for the environment .
It may be trivial for one nurseryman , but imagine G or millions add together Epsom salt . That add up . Mass Agriculture Department has shown us this .
And , that ’s on top of the environmental costs of bring forth and dispense the Epsom Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in the first place . All for something that will belike do no good in your garden .
What about bathing in Epsom salts?Aches and pains aside , think about where it ’s pop off — right down the drain into our body of water systems . Again , not helping the ecosystem .
Related : Tums For Blossom End Rot & Other Misleading Garden Tips
Correlation is Not Cause
If you get beautiful roses or fabulous tomatoes and you did lend Epsom salt to the soil , it might be well-fixed to convince yourself it was the cause .
But , the good evidence we have says Epsom table salt does not deserve the credit you may be give it .
If nothing else , the roses ( or tomatoes or whatever ) probably did welldespiteit . This explainsthe problem with anecdotal evidenceif you ’d like to read more .
The fact that no researchers can duplicate these results and professional agriculturist do n’t use Epsom Salt is a large hint that something else add to your success .
If you live someone who blaspheme by it , see if they ’ll consider all the other good plant maintenance habits minus the Epsom salinity . Or at least someside - by - side testing .
It ’s the basics like adequatesun , urine , air , soil , andthe plant itselfthat process in concord to create optimal growing conditions .
Unless there is a proven Mg deficiency , which we know is rare , they can spend their garden money elsewhere and still have healthy plant .
And no , smothering weeds with a bunch of household clobber is not a recommended root either . If you want to translate more , seeWhat acetum Really Does to Weedsand these7 weed Tips Every Gardener Should have a go at it .
I ’d love it if there were magic resolution and wanton result for everything too , but gardening and life have other plan .
Related : How to Grow a Pollinator - Friendly Front Garden Without Freaking Out Your neighbor
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~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛
