Epsom salt revives tired plants? 10 garden tricks Grandma swore by.

 

Epsom Salt Revives Tired Plants? 10 Garden Tricks Grandma Swore By (That Actually Work)

"When I was little, I used to follow my grandma through her backyard garden barefoot, watching her talk to tomato plants, sprinkle mystery powders on the soil, and hum to herself as she worked. She had the greenest thumb of anyone I knew — and she swore by homegrown tricks. No fancy fertilizer. No high-tech gadgets. Just old-fashioned wisdom, patience, and a few pantry staples. One of her favorites? Epsom salt. And yes — it really works."

If you've ever found yourself staring down at wilting leaves or yellowing tomato plants and wondering what went wrong, you're not alone. Gardening can be incredibly rewarding — and frustrating. But what if the answers were hiding in plain sight? Right there, under your kitchen sink or in your bathroom cabinet?

Long before commercial fertilizers lined store shelves, gardeners relied on natural remedies to grow lush vegetables, vibrant flowers, and towering sunflowers. And many of these simple, affordable tricks are just as effective today as they were decades ago.

So grab your gloves and your watering can — because we’re digging into 10 timeless garden tricks Grandma swore by, starting with her absolute favorite:

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1. Epsom Salt to Revive Tired Plants

“Just give it a pinch of Epsom — watch it perk right up.”

My grandma treated Epsom salt like garden gold. Whenever her tomato leaves turned yellow or her roses looked dull, she’d scoop a spoonful of it into the watering can and say, “Give it a little magnesium love.”

And she was right.

Why it works:

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate — a mineral compound that plants need for photosynthesis, chlorophyll production, and nutrient absorption (especially nitrogen and phosphorus). Magnesium deficiency is common in tomatoes, peppers, and roses — and it often shows up as:

• Yellowing between leaf veins

• Curling leaves

• Stunted growth

How to use it:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water

• Water the base of the plant every 2–4 weeks

• For foliar spray: Mix 1 teaspoon per liter of water, spray on leaves in early morning

Best for:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Roses

• Houseplants (in moderation)

Bonus tip: Sprinkle a tablespoon directly into the hole when transplanting seedlings.

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2. Crushed Eggshells for Stronger Plants & Pest Control

“Never throw away an eggshell — the garden needs it more than the trash does.”

Eggshells are loaded with calcium carbonate, which plants need for strong cell walls — especially tomatoes and peppers, which are prone to blossom end rot when calcium is low.

But that’s not all.

Crushed shells also help deter soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails, which avoid crawling over the sharp edges.

How to use them:

• Rinse and dry eggshells

• Crush finely and sprinkle around the base of plants

• You can also compost them or blend into powder for faster absorption

Best for:

• Tomatoes, peppers, squash

• Lettuce and other leafy greens

• Slug-prone flower beds

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3. Coffee Grounds to Enrich Soil & Repel Pests

“A little coffee in the morning does the garden good, too.”

Grandma always saved her used coffee grounds. She’d dry them out and scatter them around her azaleas, hydrangeas, and even her carrot rows.

Why it works:

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which leafy greens love. They also help improve soil texture and attract earthworms — nature’s best soil engineers.

Plus, the scent helps deter:

• Cats

• Slugs

• Ants

How to use them:

• Use in compost

• Sprinkle lightly around plants (don’t overdo it!)

• Mix into soil before planting

Best for:

• Acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons

• Leafy greens (spinach, lettuce)

• Root vegetables (when used sparingly)

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4. Banana Peel Fertilizer for Flowers & Fruit

“A banana a day keeps the blossoms happy.”

Instead of tossing banana peels, Grandma would bury them near rose bushes or around her zucchini mounds.

Why it works:

Banana peels contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium — key nutrients for flower production and fruiting.

How to use them:

• Chop or blend peels into small pieces

• Bury a few inches deep around plant roots

• Or soak chopped peels in water for 2–3 days to create “banana tea” for watering

Best for:

• Roses

• Squash and cucumbers

• Peppers

• Flowering ornamentals

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5. Milk Spray for Powdery Mildew

“Don’t cry over spilled milk — spray it on the zucchini.”

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects squash, cucumbers, roses, and more. It looks like white, dusty patches on leaves and stems. It thrives in warm, dry environments — exactly the kind Grandma’s garden faced every summer.

So she’d make a milk spray.

How it works:

Milk contains proteins and enzymes that can reduce fungal growth when exposed to sunlight.

How to use it:

• Mix 1 part milk to 2 parts water

• Spray on affected leaves every 7–10 days

• Use in the morning to allow for drying

Best for:

• Zucchini

• Cucumbers

• Squash

• Grapevines

• Roses

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6. Dish Soap & Water for Aphids

“No need for poison — just a little soap and patience.”

Aphids are one of the most common garden pests. They suck the sap out of plant stems and leaves, causing deformities and weakening your crops.

Instead of chemical sprays, Grandma mixed up a quick, effective solution.

How it works:

Dish soap breaks down the protective coating on aphids, causing them to dehydrate and die — without harming the plant.

How to use it:

• Mix 1–2 teaspoons of mild dish soap (like Dawn) with 1 quart of water

• Spray directly on aphids and undersides of leaves

• Repeat every few days as needed

Best for:

• Roses

• Beans

• Tomatoes

• Any aphid-prone plant

Tip: Don’t use harsh soaps or detergents — they can damage sensitive leaves.

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7. Cinnamon for Seedling Success

“A sprinkle of cinnamon keeps the rot away.”

Grandma loved starting her own seedlings — and she swore by this trick. Whenever she noticed a fuzzy white mold (called damping off) on young sprouts, she’d grab her spice jar.

Why it works:

Cinnamon is a natural antifungal and helps prevent diseases that kill young seedlings.

How to use it:

• Dust a little cinnamon over seed-starting soil

• Can also be used on cuttings to prevent rot

Best for:

• Indoor seedlings

• Rooting cuttings

• Fungal-prone soil

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8. Grass Clippings as Mulch

“Don’t bag the clippings — the garden’s hungry.”

Instead of throwing away lawn clippings, Grandma used them as mulch — a free, nitrogen-rich covering that retained moisture and blocked weeds.

How it works:

Fresh grass clippings (dried slightly) add nitrogen to the soil as they break down. They also reduce water evaporation and suppress weed seeds.

How to use it:

• Apply a thin layer (1–2 inches) around plants

• Avoid piling too thick, as it can mat and smell

• Let clippings dry slightly before using

Best for:

• Vegetable beds

• Flower borders

• Container gardens

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9. Vinegar for Weeds (But Use Caution)

“A little vinegar and sunshine burns the buggers out.”

Weeds creeping through cracks or between rows? Grandma didn’t use commercial weed killer. She used white vinegar — with stunning results.

How it works:

The acetic acid in vinegar dries out and kills plant cells — especially on hot, sunny days.

How to use it:

• Pour undiluted white vinegar directly on weeds

• Works best on dry, sunny days

• Avoid contact with desirable plants — vinegar is non-selective

Best for:

• Driveways

• Walkways

• Invasive weeds (applied carefully)

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10. Companion Planting for Natural Pest Control

“Plant basil next to the tomatoes, and they’ll both be better for it.”

Grandma didn’t just plant what looked pretty — she planted strategically. She knew that certain plants help each other grow, while others compete.

How it works:

Companion planting is the practice of growing certain crops together to:

• Repel pests

• Improve flavor

• Attract beneficial insects

• Maximize space

Examples:

• Basil + Tomatoes: Basil repels flies, improves tomato flavor

• Marigolds + Everything: Deters nematodes and aphids

• Carrots + Onions: Each repels pests of the other

• Corn + Beans + Squash: The “Three Sisters” of traditional planting

Best for:

• Organic gardens

• Pest control without chemicals

• Increasing biodiversity

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Bonus Tip: Talk to Your Plants

Yes, seriously.

Grandma always said, “They don’t need you to sing — but they like knowing you care.” And now, science backs it up. Plants respond to vibration, carbon dioxide, and even intention.

So go ahead — talk to your tomatoes.

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Final Thoughts: Old Wisdom for a New Generation of Gardeners

In a world of smart watering systems, LED grow lights, and soil-testing apps, it’s easy to forget that some of the most powerful gardening secrets are the simplest.

• Epsom salt

• Eggshells

• Banana peels

• Milk

• Soap and cinnamon

These were the tools of my grandma’s garden — and now, they’re mine. Her plants didn’t just grow — they thrived, year after year, with minimal fuss and maximum love.

So next time your plants look tired or your garden feels overwhelming, take a step back. Dig into the wisdom that’s been passed down through the soil for generations.

You might just find that everything you need is already in your kitchen.