How To Use Epsom Salt To Keep Your Fern Plants Bright Green
Have your ferns been looking a little faded? If they need a color boost, the secret ingredient might be hiding in your bathroom cupboard. Epsom salt can help make your fern plants bright green, increasing their vibrancy. The salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It's usually used in baths for muscle relaxation and joint pain, and comes in the form of colorless, crystal flakes. It looks a lot like table salt, but has a distinct bitter taste. But because of what it's made of, it's not only good for foot soaks — it's also great for gardening.
If your ferns look faded or are turning yellow, then all you need is 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt mixed in 1 cup of water to bring their color back up. However, if you prefer bottom watering your plants, you can also fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and add 2 to 5 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Plop your fern into the bucket, and let it soak up the water. Do this once a week for the best results.
Why does this work
Epsom salts can easily be used as a supplement in gardening to provide magnesium and sulfur to plants, promoting healthy growth, improving nutrient absorption, and strengthening them. In the case of ferns, it helps boost their magnesium intake. These plants turn yellow when they have a magnesium deficiency, and since these salts contain 10% magnesium, they act as a vitamin booster for your frond.
However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of Epsom salts depends on the specific conditions of your ferns and soil. For best results, conduct a soil test first to determine if a magnesium deficiency is the root cause of its poor coloring. If it's not, you can cause more problems by needlessly changing the composition of the dirt.
Additionally, it's important not to overapply the salts, as excessive magnesium can lead to imbalances with other nutrients. The general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon, but some sources recommend mixing it with 1 cup of water while others recommend 1 gallon. Play around with the amounts until you find the one that makes your fern happiest.
Other bathroom hacks that can be used in gardening
Curious about what other bathroom items you can use in the garden? It turns out there's a lot of potential for crossover. For example, you can use toilet paper rolls to grow your seeds. All you have to do is fill them with dirt, plant your seeds in each roll, and allow them to grow. And the best part is that they're totally biodegradable.
You can also repurpose old towels you no longer like to use. Cut them into strips and use them in your vegetable garden to hold up heavy plants, such as ripe tomato stalks. Their soft material will be delicate enough not to cut into any branches. You can also use a towel as a blanket to protect plants from any upcoming frosts. Just throw them over anything that might not survive the plummeting temperatures.
Tired of your old shower caddy? Move it to your gardening shed when you replace it with a new one. Since it's built for the humid and wet conditions of a bathroom, it'll also do well with the dirty and wet conditions of the garden.