Epsom Salts for Herb Seed Germination
Gardening and farming have been integral parts of human culture and as such, many urban legends and home remedies persist. Adding Epsom salts to garden soil is one such urban legend, long thought to improve seed germination rates of herbs, vegetables and other types of plants. Knowing whether or not they actually have a positive effect on herb seed germination can help avoid wasting time on ineffective herb gardening techniques. Does this Spark an idea?
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Epsom Salts and Gardening
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Epsom salts are salts ground from magnesium sulfate. Manufacturers are pushing them as a natural, sustainable and organic compound that promises myriad beneficial effects in gardening and agriculture. As well as promising to improve seed germination by supplementing magnesium to magnesium-deficient soils, they are said to improve nutrient uptake in plants, resulting in healthy and vigorous growth. The salts are claimed to not persist in soil as well, apparently alleviating gardeners' concerns over contamination due to runoff and drainage.
Actual Effects on Seed Germination
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While magnesium deficiencies are a leading cause of poor seed germination and other plant growth problems, most seeds including herb seeds are able to germinate on their own. They contain essential germination nutrients inside the seeds in sufficient abundance for the germination process to run its course. Seeds very often don't need to take up any nutrients in soil to germinate as evidenced by the fact that they can germinate and sprout on nothing but a moist paper towel.
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Other Effects
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Manufacturers often claim that Epsom salts are not persistent in soil, so gardeners can use them to supply magnesium to soil without worrying about contamination due to runoff. Researchers have linked excessive applications of the salts to outbreaks of numerous plant diseases including leaf scorch, root disease of sugar cane and apple bitter pit. The claim that they are not persistent is rooted in the idea that they are a highly soluble form of magnesium. However, when highly soluble materials are applied in excess of what is needed by the soil, the materials remain in topsoil where they can easily become a contaminant.
Other Considerations
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There are many ways of treating magnesium deficiency in soil, the addition of Epsom salts being one such way. However, there are many other methods for supplementing soil magnesium that are not only more effective at supplying magnesium, but that sidestep the negative effects of Epsom salts in gardening. Have your soil tested prior to planting herbs and see if it is deficient enough to warrant using a soil amendment to supply the needed magnesium. If it is, use fertilizers and other soil amendments in lieu of problematic salts to supply the magnesium the herbs need.
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