A lush, healthy lawn sits high on the wishlist of most gardeners – not least because it's surprisingly difficult to achieve. From mowing too early to watering too lightly, there are countless mistakes you can make now that lead to patchy, brown or yellow grass later in the year.
As gardens begin to stir back to life, now is the time to set your lawn up properly. Fertiliser can give grass a useful boost, but if you're aiming for a wildlife-friendly space, it's worth steering clear of chemicals and synthetic options.
This is where Epsom salt can help. According to Pleasant Green Grass, an organic landscaping company, this bathroom staple – best known as a soothing bath soak for tired muscles – could be the key to thicker, greener more resilient grass.
"If you care about your lawn and are adept at organic lawn care and landscaping, then Epsom Salt is right for you," a spokesperson says. "Make a mixture of the salt with water and spray your turf and lawn with the dilution once or twice a month."
Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate, which makes it an effective natural fertiliser. "The magnesium boost will help your grasses germinate faster and burst into sparkling green, robust, upright, thick and healthy turf blades," they explain.
That said, it should never be used blindly. A soil test is essential to determine whether your lawn actually needs more magnesium – otherwise, you risk doing more harm than good.
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"Most garden soil does already have enough magnesium in," cautions Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
"Adding Epsom salts without testing the soil first to find out if there is actually a magnesium deficiency could result in a nutrient imbalance and hinder water absorption."
One common sign of a magnesium deficiency is pale or yellowing patches in the grass. To be certain, use a DIY soil test kit to measure nutrient levels. Collect, dry and analyse samples to check the magnesium content.
If your lawn does need a boost, applying an Epsom salt solution at intervals could help tip the balance – leaving the grass, quite literally, greener on your side.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
