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Epsom salt for plants,
Why You Should use Epsom Salt in the garden
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) provides two important nutrients (magnesium and sulfur) that are essential for vigorous plant growth and development.
magnesium is very important for cell wall development in plants and also helps plants absorb essential nutrients like phosphorous, nitrogen and sulfur.
sulfur is a beneficial soil addictive that helps correct alkalinity and helps prevent sulfur deficiency in plants
Tip. Gardeners use sulfur in the garden to balance soil ph when the soil is too alkaline.
Most soils in the world are naturally lacking in certain minerals and nutrients. Although magnesium and sulfur are available naturally in the soil, some soils have been depleted of these nutrients while others don’t have it anymore. some soils lack some nutrients due to:
the area naturally does not have those minerals or nutrients
Plants have used most of the available mineral or nutrients the past thousands of years if not millions of years.
Heavy Agricultural use. In most areas where there is intensive farming, most of the soil nutrients have been used for growing crops.
important topsoil or soil has been moved by erosion (carried by wind or washed away by water)
Instructions
You will need a big container or wheelbarrow to mix them together. You can use any measuring container to do it depending on the quantity you want to make. For large quantity potting mix, use a bucket. for example (so 1 part will be 1 bucket)
Measure 3 Part Peat Moss or coco coir and put in your mixing container or wheelbarrow
Measure 3 part compost and put in your mixing container (worm compost is the best to use, You can also use composted manure).
Finally, add 1 part perlite to the mixture and mix them all up. make sure to break down the peat moss into smaller chunks. If you use peat moss, it is advisable to add a little bit of garden lime to you mixture because peat moss is a little acidic and this might not be good for some plants like Tomato. check you Ph level to make sure you have the right level for your plants.
Double or triple the recipe for bigger quantities of potting mix.
Mix everything thoroughly and fill your containers. You can store the rest of the unused potting mix in a big container or barrel for later use.
Tips: add soil sulfur to lower the pH or Garden lime to raise the pH, according to the needs of your plants. These additives can be found in most garden centers and online.
Most plants thrive in PH level 6.0 to 7.0 but some plants such as beans, beets, broccoli, and lettuce meanwhile others such as garlic, and kale prefer soil with a pH of about 7.5.
add extra peat Moss or vermiculite for plants like tomatoes that require more moisture retention
add extra sand and perlite for plants such as succulents that require rapid drainage.
