To make egg water for plants, simply save your eggshells and add them to a container of water. Over time, this creates a nutrient-rich solution to nourish your plants.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Collect Eggshells: After using eggs, rinse the eggshells thoroughly to remove any remaining egg white. This prevents them from rotting and smelling bad.
- Crush the Eggshells: Crush the eggshells into smaller pieces. This increases the surface area, allowing them to decompose faster and release nutrients into the water more efficiently. A ladle or similar tool works well for this.
- Add to Water: Place the crushed eggshells in a container or pitcher filled with water. The ratio doesn't need to be exact, but a good starting point is the shells from 2-3 eggs per gallon of water.
- Let it Sit: Allow the eggshells to steep in the water for at least a week, or even longer. The longer they sit, the more nutrients will leach into the water. The mixture might develop a slight odor – this is normal, though rinsing the shells beforehand helps minimize it.
- Water Your Plants: Use the eggshell-infused water to water your plants as you normally would. The calcium and other minerals in the eggshells will help strengthen cell walls and promote healthy growth.
Benefits of Egg Water for Plants:
- Calcium Source: Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate, which is essential for plant cell wall development. This can help prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
- Nutrient Boost: Eggshells also contain small amounts of other essential minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus.
- Cost-Effective: It's a cheap and sustainable way to recycle eggshells and provide nutrients to your plants.
Important Considerations:
- Not a Complete Fertilizer: Egg water should not be considered a complete fertilizer. It primarily provides calcium and small amounts of other nutrients. Your plants may still need additional fertilizer.
- Soil pH: Eggshells can slightly raise the pH of the soil. If you have plants that prefer acidic soil, use egg water sparingly.
- Composting Alternative: Eggshells can also be added directly to your compost pile, where they will break down and enrich the compost.
By following these simple steps, you can create a beneficial and eco-friendly fertilizer for your plants using leftover eggshells.
