There is no scientific basis behind the application of epsom salts to enhance plant growth. Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate - it doesn't contain any "magic" ingredients for making plants grow better. It is true that both sulfur and magnesium are plant nutrients - but minor ones. Sulfur is nearly always present in sufficient quantity in the soil and with the application of nearly any type of synthetic fertilizer (and via many other common garden products). Magnesium deficiencies are usually present only in heavily cropped soils and over-application of magnesium can be harmful. As with any other type of fertilizer, routine applications just because it's habit or because the advertisements of the manufacturers (like MiracleGro) would like you to believe your garden will not grow without it should be avoided. Fertilize only if soil tests indicate a need or if your plants are evidencing obvious signs of nutrient deficiency. In most cases, unnecessary fertilization is worse for the plants - and the planet - than not fertilizing at all. If you mulch well with compost each season you will be replenishing pretty much any nutrient your plants require....no need to fertilize at all unless growing in containers. Here is a link that might be useful: the myth of epsom salts

I use it at 1 Tbl. /gal. I just add it to the fertilizer when I fertilize. All my citrus are in pots. I fert. with miracle grow acid, and add the epsom, and a few drops of superthrive. Not sure of specifics of each one but I have nice green leaves and on all the trees and most have had fruit set, with the exception of the grafted blood orange (grrr) but it is @ 3yrs old and I've heard they take their sweet time. I keep all these citrus in pots. A few days ago I purchased a grafted, variegated lemon tree at a farmer's market for 11.90. A very nice looking tree with a lot of leaves and fruit. I thought it was a good deal until I repotted it and saw it didnt have many roots! But they do look white and healthy! (arrg-you get what you pay for I guess) I haven't tried the epsom on it yet because I just repotted it. I will try it later, though. It has nice variegation now and I will be interested to see if it changes any. It has a few striped fruit as well. I use epsom on basically everything and most of my plants arent variegated. I do have one ginger that is yellow/grn variegated and it has reverted to mostly green - so it makes me wonder... ~SJN

I had to revive this thread. Perhaps Epson Salt is one of the least appreciated nutrients for the plants. In MG plant food they have some trace of it (magnesium sulfate). but probably not enouhg. Since epson salt (magnesium sulfate) is water soluable, it can be more effectively used as "Foliar Feeding". As the thirsty plant absorbs the water through its leaves so it does absorb epson salt. Sprinkling on the soil is another way but , in my opinion, it could be hit or miss. For that reason I use it as folia feeding. Normal amount is 2 Tblspn per gal. But I use half of that but instead more regularly. I used it lasst yeay for the first time and my tomatoes were better than ever bore and I also got more and better pepper. This year I am going to use it more regularly. I have heard long time ago that peppers, in particular, benefit from epson salt. I have not heard or read abut any bad side efect of using ES. What is more, is that it is inexpensiv; cheaper than all-purpose fertilizer, pound per pound. What do you think? any experience? any comment? lets share and spread the knowledge as Johnny Apple did with the apple tree. INTERNET IS THE BEST THING AFTER THE BALL POINT PEN (Grin!) Cyrus

here is my take on the epson salts. I think doing a folar spray is less dangerous than watering it into the soil. but I can see a use for the soil with basil. I dont think you necessarily want to eat basil with epson salt on it. although it is safe to eat. now salt is salt and too much salt in the soil is not good for a plant. the fertilizers like miracle grow or peters are salts. and using a full teaspoon per gallon of those salts can be too strong. so I would not advise a full teaspoon of epson salt per gallon to water my plants. I think if the tiny amount on leaves is enough then a tiny amount is all that is needed coming up the roots. To me I think of it as taking my miracle grow and mixing in some epson salts so that there is some magnesium included in the fertilizer. now I would not put an equal amount of epson salt in with an equal amount of fertilizer. the plant only looks for trace amounts of epson salt magnesium compared to all the fertilizers. therefore only a little is needed. I also dont want to make my soil salty. lastly what I am doing now is I have my quart spray bottle and it has epson salt and seaweed combined. the seaweed has about xx trace elements I think. well it has a lot anyway. I am not sure. but seaweed is a proven foliar spray and a proven use in the water. seaweed also should not make the soil real salty like epson salts will. so I am using only a little bit of both in the bottle. maybe an 1/8th of a teaspoon or less of each in the quart. so I guess I am using about 1/2 teaspoon per gallon not too far from the 1 teaspoon per gallon but I have sprayed about 4 times in the last week or so and so I will now have to cut back. also I think it is more ok to use a higher concentration of epson salts in the spray than in the water. the total amount given the plant is much much less. all this said, I must say that I see a lot of good greening up on my pepper plants since I started spraying. And I did give one shot of watering the plants. but there I put maybe 1/4 teaspoon in 5 gallons. I will quote from here: http://www.kelpproductsofflorida.com/ Norwegian Kelp contains over 12 vitamins, 60 major and trace chelated minerals and 20 amino acids.