Who doesn’t like to have lovely scrambled eggs in the morning? Of course, a lot of us love it. But what do you do with the eggshells? Do you throw them out? Well, if you do, you should know that you’re throwing away something that can be very beneficial to your plants.
That’s right, eggshells are good for plants! They can help your plants grow healthy and strong. But how?
Eggshells are full of calcium carbonate, which is excellent for plant growth. Calcium helps the plant roots take in nutrients and also allows the plant to produce chlorophyll, besides other benefits.
This blog post will discuss the benefits of adding eggshells to your plants, how often you should do it and how to prepare them. We will also take a look at which plants benefit from eggshells the most!
So, if you want to give your plants a little boost, start saving those eggshells! Here are a few ways you can use them.
1. Eggshells Are a Good Source of Calcium For Plants
Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, which is easily absorbed by plants. Also found in agricultural lime and crushed oyster shells. This means they can help neutralize acidity in the soil, making it more hospitable for plants. If your soil is too acidic, adding eggshells can help to raise the pH and make it more alkaline.
3. Eggshells Help To Improve Soil Structure
In addition, eggshells help to improve drainage and aeration in the soil. As a result, they can be a valuable addition to any garden.
Using eggshells as fertilizer is a simple and inexpensive way to provide plants with the necessary calcium. In addition, it is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment.
4. Eggshells Can Help To Deter Pests
Eggshells can also help to deter pests. Crushing and sprinkling eggshells around plants creates a barrier that slugs, snails, and other minor problems cannot cross. The eggshells are sharp and unpleasant to crawl across, so they will avoid scratching them.
As well, eggshells can also help to keep more significant pests away. For example, if you have a problem with deer or rabbits eating your plants, scattering eggshells around your garden’s perimeter can help keep them out.
Overall, using eggshells as a pest deterrent is an environmentally-friendly and effective way to keep your plants safe.
3. Eggshells Can Help To Increase Water Retention In The Soil
Any gardener knows that water is essential for healthy plants. However, sometimes it can be tricky to get the right balance. Too much water and the roots will rot; too little and the plants will wilt and die.
One way to help ensure your plants get enough water is to add eggshells to the soil. Eggshells are a natural source of calcium, which helps to improve water retention in the ground. Also, they help to aerate the soil and reduce compaction.
When they break down, eggshells help to create small channels in the soil that allow water to seep down to the roots of plants. It’s especially beneficial in sandy soils, which tend to be dry and compacted.
As a result, your plants can access the moisture they need, even during periods of drought.
5. Eggshells Make an Excellent Slow-Release Fertilizer
Eggshells are not only a natural source of calcium for plants, but they also contain other minerals that help them grow, including potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Using eggshells as fertilizer is an effective and inexpensive way to boost the health of your outdoor garden soil and houseplants.
Do Eggshells Decompose In Soil?
You can make eggshell fertilizer using a few different methods:
- Crush the eggshells
- Grind the eggshells
- Steep the eggshells
Eggshells take a while to decompose in the soil if you leave them out in the open. Therefore, you need to crush them first to decompose faster. You can use a blender, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle. Once crushed, sprinkle them around the base of your plants.
The simplest way to crush them is to put them in a plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin or something similar.
Grinding the eggshells makes them more accessible for plants to take up calcium. It also helps to speed up the decomposition process so they don’t tie up nitrogen in the soil as they break down.
Then, they need the help of microbes to break them down, which can take several months. Once they’ve broken down, eggshells add nutrients and improve drainage and aeration in the soil.
If you want to use eggshells as fertilizer, it’s best to add them to the ground in small amounts over time. It will give your plants a slow and steady supply of nutrients.
How To Prepare Eggshells For Composting?
The first step is to wash the eggshells and remove any dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants that could potentially harm your plants. Next, let them dry completely. They could start to rot and attract mold and mildew if they’re slightly damp. Once they’re dry, you can leave them whole or crush them into smaller pieces.
The first step is to bake your eggshells to destroy any germs, including salmonella, that may be present. Preheat the oven to 400°F and spread your eggshells on a baking sheet for 10 minutes.
This method will kill bacteria, make the shells thinner, and enable you to crush them into smaller pieces.
Microwave Eggshells For Garden
You can also sterilize eggshells in the microwave. Put them in a glass bowl or cup and add enough water to cover them. Microwave on high for two minutes, then let them sit in hot water for another five minutes. After they’ve cooled, drain the water and rinse the shells before using them in your garden.
Can You Put Raw Eggshells In Compost?
Yes, you can put raw eggshells in compost. However, it’s best to bake them first to kill any bacteria that may be present. But if you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step and add them to your compost pile.
Remember they may take longer to break down if they’re not baked first. But, one way or another, eggshells are a great way to add nutrients and improve the health of your plants.
How Often Should I Add Eggshells To My Plants?
As a rough guideline, add eggshells to your plants once a year or every few months, which is plenty for most home plants. However, it’s important not to overdo it – too much calcium can harm plants.
If you have a lot of plants, you can save eggshells in a sealed container and then grab a handful when you need them.
Can You Add Too Much Calcium To The Soil?
Too much calcium in the rhizosphere solution can harm plants. This may prevent seed germination and crop production.
Do Eggshells Raise Soil pH?
However, more calcium is not always better. Too much calcium in the soil can be linked to a high pH, which means the soil is too alkaline and inhibits the absorption of macronutrients from other fertilizers.
Which Plants Benefit Better From Eggshells?
Eggshells are ideal for plants that need a high amount of calcium, including:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Squash
- Eggplants
Eggshells can also be beneficial for:
- Roses,
- Rhododendrons
- Azaleas.
Blossom end rot is a significant problem in cultivating tomatoes, pepper, and eggplant. This condition develops with a lack of calcium, resulting in black, rotting sores on plants.
A simple technique for combating blossom end rot is to add a layer of crushed eggshells in the planting hole for these crops. The eggshells naturally improve the soil as they decompose, providing a slow, continuous source of calcium and preventing blossom end rot from occurring.
Can You Put Eggshells In Potted Plants?
Absolutely! Adding eggshells to potted plants is a great way to improve drainage and aeration while providing a slow, steady supply of nutrients. Like in the garden, this will help your plants grow healthy and strong!
Do Worms Eat Eggshells?
Worms don’t eat eggshells. Instead, they need grit to help break down food scraps, and eggshell powder is a perfect way to provide this. In addition, eggshells are high in calcium, which allows worms to build solid muscles and provides the necessary abrasiveness to help grind up food scraps.
The worms ingest the eggshells and help to aerate the soil as they travel through it. This, in turn, helps other organisms in the soil to break down the eggshells even further.
Composting worms can eat crushed eggshells. Red wiggler worms, brandling worms, and earthworms are all excellent choices for composting, and they will help to break down the eggshells.
Conclusion
As you can see there are multiple benefits to using eggshells in your garden or potted plants. So instead of throwing your eggshells away after you cook eggs, re-purpose the eggshells, the environment will thank you and you’ll also save on plant food !
