Eggshells offer a simple, natural way to boost your plants' calcium intake. Several methods exist, each offering a slightly different approach to creating plant food from this readily available resource.
Method 1: Direct Application
The simplest method involves directly adding crushed eggshells to the soil around your plants. This provides a slow-release source of calcium and other nutrients as the shells decompose.
- Process: Crush eggshells into small pieces. Sprinkle the crushed shells around the base of your plant, avoiding direct contact with the stem. You don't need to bury them; the decomposition process will naturally release nutrients into the soil.
- Benefit: Easy and convenient. No extra preparation is needed.
- Reference: Putting eggshells directly into the hole with the plant ensures that the plant will get the nutrients from the decomposing eggshells. Add crushed eggshells around the base of your plant. You do not need to cover the eggshells with soil. As they decompose, they will leach calcium and other nutrients into the soil.
Method 2: Eggshell Tea
This method creates a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer by soaking eggshells in water.
- Process: Crush eggshells and place them in water. Let the mixture sit for several days, allowing the calcium to leach into the water. Strain the mixture before watering your plants.
- Benefit: Concentrated source of calcium and other nutrients. Easy application through watering.
- Reference: This method uses water and eggshells to yield a cheap, nutrient-rich tea for your houseplants and garden.
Method 3: Eggshell and Vinegar Fertilizer
Combining eggshells with vinegar creates a calcium-rich fertilizer that's readily available to plants.
- Process: Crush clean, dry eggshells. Mix the crushed shells with vinegar (typically white vinegar). Allow the mixture to sit for a few days to a couple of weeks, stirring occasionally. The reaction between the eggshells (calcium carbonate) and the vinegar (acetic acid) will dissolve the calcium, creating a calcium-rich solution. Dilute before application.
- Benefit: More readily available calcium for plants compared to direct application or eggshell tea.
- Reference: Grind up eggshells and mix in some vinegar. The longest part of this is heating the oven to sanitize the shells. Also, Eggshells are calcium carbonate and plants on their own can't convert that into the calcium they need. Soaking in vinegar absolutely breaks the calcium carbonate down into a usable form.
Important Considerations:
- Always use clean eggshells, thoroughly rinsed to remove any residual egg residue.
- Crushed eggshells work better than whole shells for faster decomposition and nutrient release.
- While eggshells primarily provide calcium, they also offer small amounts of other beneficial minerals.
- Don't over-fertilize. Start with small amounts and monitor your plants' response.
