Are your plants' leaves yellow, curled or covered in pests?
Organic gardeners sometimes have trouble keeping leaves plump and pest-free. One organic alternative is to apply Epsom salt to the soil. Epsom salt is actually pH neutral and helps facilitate the uptake of nutrients in plants. It's known for creating more bountiful flowers (especially roses), countering transplant shock and greening up foliage.
Make sure the salt doesn't come into direct contact with the plant's roots. Instead, apply a thin layer of Epsom salt around the base of the plant to improve foliage, bloom or fruiting, and deter garden pests.
If your plants suffer magnesium deficiency with symptoms of yellowing, curled leaves, mix 2 tablespoons Epsom salt in a gallon of water and let it dissolve. Apply the solution directly to the leaves with a sponge or rag. For the organic gardener, few solutions are so versatile or as easy as Epsom salt!
Photo by Brooke Becker
