Eggshell fertilizer is prepared from crushed eggshells and is rich in calcium carbonate. This is a very important mineral to strengthen the cell walls of plants. The egg shells also contain several other minerals which facilitate the plants’ growth. These minerals are phosphorous, potassium & magnesium. The eggshells are very inexpensive as well as an effective fertilizer. This works really week for the outdoor houseplants and garden soil.
4 major benefits of eggshell fertilizer
Eggshells can very well benefit the plants in the below-mentioned ways:
- Eggshells are effective in discouraging rot at the blossom end – There are certain plants like tomato plants that develop certain black spots on their fruits’ ends. This is caused due to the deficiency of calcium. So, adding the required amount of calcium from the well-prepared eggshell fertilizer can considerably help these fruiting plants. Thus, these plants can thrive well and also avoid rot at the blossom end.
- Eggshells lower the acidity of the soil – Several plant types usually prefer a lower level of soil acidity, which helps them absorb nutrients and ward off the toxic elements, namely aluminium. The calcium carbonate content in the eggshells lowers the pH of the soil to a certain level and makes the soil more alkaline by reducing its acidity.
- Eggshells encourage the growth of roots – The calcium carbonate content in the eggshell fertilizer helps considerably in strengthening the roots of the plants. Thus, the growth of the plants becomes stronger and faster. All you need to do is simply crush the dry, clean eggshells into very fine powder. Then you will have to add these powdered eggshells into boiling water. Then cover the same and carefully store this mixture for a period of one week. Then you have to uncover this mixture once every day and stir the same. You need to continue this practice for at least seven days and then pour this particular mixture directly into the soil just above the roots of the plants.
- Eggshell fertilizer is beneficial in controlling pests – Lingering the eggs’ smell inside the shell will ward off the pests. Also, the edges of the crushed, dry shells prove to be very hazardous for the extremely soft bodies of the slugs and snails.
3 major ways of preparing eggshell fertilizer
You can prepare eggshell fertilizer by using any of the following methods:
- Crushing the eggshells – All you need to do in this process is to wash & rinse the eggshells properly and allow them to dry. Then crush these eggshells into a very fine powder with the help of a pestle and mortar, food processor or rolling pin. You should necessarily wear a mask while conducting this procedure as you should not breathe this eggshell dust. After that, you will be required to stir this eggshell powder into your flower bed, vegetable garden soil, or the potting mix of your indoor plants.
- Steeping the eggshells – You can use the eggshells for preparing a fertilizer tea which will add the liquid calcium into your garden. You need to boil one gallon of water and then add twenty dry, clean eggshells. Let these shells sit in the water for the entire night, and then strain this out. Then you will have to pour 2 cups of liquid into every plant. Then repeat this eggshell tea procedure once every couple of weeks.
- Grinding the eggshells – In case you do not have a food processor, you can use manual tools, or you can even use a coffee grinder to turn the eggshells into powder. You will then have to add these grounded eggshells to the compost bin for making mulch or pouring this directly into the planting holes. Several gardeners use coffee grounds with rich potassium and nitrogen in this eggshell fertilizer to boost the nutrients.
Conclusion
Eggshell fertilizer greatly benefits several plants, if not all the plants in this universe. They are very useful for fruit-bearing plant species like lettuce, strawberries, apples, cucumbers, eggplants etc. So, you may surely try out eggshell fertilizer in your gardening practices.
