It is getting closer to the holiday season and many people are beginning to plan out their favourite hearty winter meals, and there is no better way to flavour food than fresh herbs. However, buying herb plants can be expensive, and it can be difficult to keep them alive at this time of year as they require a lot of light to grow their tasty leaves.
Herbs used for roast dinners such basil, rosemary and sage need a lot of sunlight to keep growing, and if they do not get enough sun they can struggle to grow even thin weak leaves. Keeping herbs healthy at this time of year is a challenge, but the gardening experts at Earthborn have shared that you can help give them a “mineral pick-me-up” with the right fertiliser. They said: “If you’ve ever wondered whether your herbs could use a little mineral boost, Epsom salts might be your secret weapon. Rich in magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts help plants produce more chlorophyll, improve nutrient uptake, and encourage lush growth.”
Epsom salt is a mineral compound that is often used as a bath soak as it is known to help sore muscles, but it is also favoured by gardeners as is known to naturally help add more of the nutrient magnesium into plant soil.
Magnesium helps boost chlorophyll production in plants which can help them capture more sunlight and convert it into energy. It is also known to help plants absorb other nutrients better and help support their roots to help plants stay healthy, and will help herbs grow to have a more “intense flavour.”
In basil plants, magnesium helps encourage leaf growth so they will be a lot bigger and with more concentred oils for a richer flavour.
The expert said: “Rosemary benefits from improved root development. Epsom salts also help this Mediterranean herb stay vigorous, especially in containers.”
They added: “Sage grows best when nutrients are well-balanced. Epsom salts improve the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus, supporting robust foliage.”
How to use Epsom salts to help herbs grow
All you need to do is dissolve half a tablespoon of Epsom salt into four litres of water. It is best not to use any more, as natural fertilisers tend to be quite potent, especially when fed to potted plants. ‘
Then, use the solution to water your herbs once every four to six weeks. The Epsom salt should help produce more chlorophyll and support photosynthesis so you get more flavourful plants.
However, it should be noted that Epsom salt is only a supplement and it cannot fix environmental problems, especially if the plant is overly stressed.
If your herbs continue not to grow, then it can help to buy a plant light in winter, as it can make a big difference to keep the plant healthy and productive.
