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

If you've done a soil test and your soil is low in magnesium, sprinkle about 1 Tablespoon of epsom salts inside the drip-line of each rose bush. If your soil test shows your soil has excessive magnesium, don't use any at all, it will just contribute to the excess. No single nutrient is going to solve all your growing problems. Plants need balanced soil; if you don't know what your soil has, you don't know what it needs. Call your local Cooperative Extension Agent (see below) and ask who does a basic soil test in your area. It shouldn't cost more than $12, and it should have recommendations for improvement of problem levels. If you garden organically, indicate that on the paperwork that you fill out when you take/send it in. If you don't understand what the recommendations mean, call them and ask for clarification. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Find your local Coop. Ext. Service office

Since ms_minnamouse is "broke" and Epsom salts are inexpensive, the danger is that she will apply too much and do harm to her plants. Referring to the quote from the message above by morz8, "the Epsom Salt Council (whatever that is :)) suggests 2 T dissolved in a gallon of water for indoor plants" That seems too strong to me for the prudent use of Epsom salts. I personally think it is error prone to use a single letter abbreviation for teaspoon and tablespoon. I prefer tsp for teaspoon and tbs for tablespoon. The "T" used above indicates tablespoon (a "t" would indicate a teaspoon), and two tablespoons per gallon is, in my opinion, much too strong for a foliar spray of inorganic nutrients (including magnesium sulfate) and probably too strong for a soil application. If you were feeding sugar in a foliar spray, that much sugar might be appropriate. My favorite single reference book for plant nutrition is currently the Handbook of Plant Nutrition edited by Allen V. Barker and David J. Pilbeam, published by CRC Press in 2007. I found its information on the role of silicon in plant nutrition to be particularly helpful. And its recent publication date indicates that its information is reasonably "up to date". ZM

Definitely a soil test before you add these. Many parts of the country have plenty of Mg in its soil, my area is one of them & if you use lime on your soil, the most common form of garden lime is "dolomite limestone" which is high in Mg. Diane is right about bone meal, it is not a good source of P because it takes forever to become available to the plant.