Squash & Epsom Salts

Epsom Salt Content

• Epsom salts contain 10 percent magnesium and 13 percent sulfur (magnesium sulfate). Both are necessary for plant growth and squash production. However, it is rare for soil to be deficient in sulfur, as is it is found in acid rain and commercial fertilizers. Magnesium deficiencies are more common and can be caused by several factors, such as an imbalance in the pH of the soil, erosion or the garden topsoil simply being depleted. Magnesium works on the cellular level to ensure plants pull in the proper amount of nutrients from the surrounding soil. Signs that your squash may be suffering from a magnesium deficiency are yellow or curling leaves, no fruit or fruit that is stunted in size.

Epsom Salt Benefit

• With the addition of Epsom salts to soil that is depleted of magnesium, squash seeds can germinate. Once a new plant forms leaves, it will draw on the magnesium added to the soil for photosynthesis, creating chlorophyll. The squash plants will then be able to better absorb phosphorous from the soil, aiding in quality fruit production.

Epsom Salt Dosage

• Epsom salts can be applied to squash plants several times throughout the growing season in one of two ways -- directly to the soil or mixed into water. Apply the first dosage when seedlings are being transplanted; either place 1 tablespoon of salt into the soil at the bottom of the hole before planting the seedling or mix the same amount of Epsom salts in 1 gallon of water and apply it to the seedling after it is planted. Saturate the soil, but do not allow the plant to sit in water. Apply a second dosage of Epsom salts when the squash plants begin to flower. Give the plants a third application when squash fruits begin to form. If the plants exhibit signs of stress, a weekly application may be made.

Epsom Salt Drawbacks

• Avoid using excessive amounts of Epsom salts on your squash plants. As with any fertilizer, too much of a good thing can be a detriment to plants. Additionally, it is not known whether the salts run off into the water supply or build up in the soil. Sulfur lowers the pH of the soil and can hurt surrounding plants -- such as blueberries or hydrangea -- that need acidic soil to thrive.