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How to Properly Use Eggshells in the Garden: Valuable Fertilizer and Plant Protection
20.05.2024 05:20
Experienced gardeners know that the success of the harvest depends not only on the quality of the seeds and weather conditions, but also on proper care of the plants.
Fertilizing plays an important role in the development and fruiting of crops, so many gardeners and vegetable growers are looking for effective and affordable ways to improve plant nutrition.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to act in such a situation.
One of these methods is the use of eggshells – a valuable source of calcium and other useful microelements.
Composition and benefits of eggshells: a storehouse of microelements
Eggshells are 90% calcium carbonate, which is essential for plants to form strong cell walls and improve metabolism.
In addition to calcium, the shell contains magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and other microelements that promote plant growth and development.
Using eggshells as fertilizer helps to increase crop yields, improve the taste of fruits and increase plant resistance to diseases.
Preparing Eggshells: From Waste to Fertilizer
Before using eggshells as fertilizer, they must be properly prepared.
The shell must be thoroughly washed and cleaned of any remaining protein, then dried in the air or in an oven at a low temperature.
Dry shells are ground in a mortar, coffee grinder or blender to a powder state. The finer the grinding, the faster the shell will decompose in the soil and give the plants useful substances.
Ways to Use Eggshells: From Feeding to Protection
There are several ways to use eggshells in the garden. Powdered eggshells can be added to the soil when planting, added to the holes when sowing seeds, or used to mulch the soil around plants.
Eggshells are also effective as a pest control agent. Sharp pieces of shell are scattered around plants to repel slugs and snails.
Plants That Love Eggshells: Calcium for Growth and Harvest
Eggshells are especially useful for plants that require calcium. These are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, pumpkins, squash, and berry bushes - currants, gooseberries, raspberries. Top dressing with eggshells helps prevent blossom-end rot of tomatoes and peppers, improves the taste of berries and increases yield.
Previously we talked about how toprotect raspberries from worms .
