Boost your plants' health by adding calcium! Several simple methods effectively increase calcium levels in your soil and provide your plants with this essential nutrient.
Natural Methods for Adding Calcium
Several readily available materials can naturally boost your plants' calcium intake:
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Crushed Eggshells or Oyster Shells: A completely natural and cost-effective option. Clean, dry, and crush the shells into a powder. Incorporate this powder into your compost or directly into the soil's top layer. Over time, this will gradually increase the calcium available to your plants. [Source: Multiple sources, including Real Simple and The Spruce]
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Compost: High-quality compost naturally contains calcium and improves overall soil health, making existing calcium more accessible to plants. Compost teas and extracts further enhance calcium availability by increasing microbial activity in the soil. [Source: Permies and MasterClass]
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Epsom Salt: While primarily a magnesium source, Epsom salt can also help release naturally occurring calcium already present in the soil. Sprinkle it around your plants to improve calcium uptake. [Source: Reddit gardening forum]
Other Effective Methods
Beyond natural options, other methods effectively add calcium to the soil:
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Gypsum: Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is a readily available soil amendment providing a significant calcium boost. It improves soil structure and drainage while adding calcium. [Source: The Spruce]
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Lime: Lime (calcium carbonate) is another effective soil amendment. While primarily for pH adjustment, it also adds calcium. [Source: The Spruce]
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Foliar Spray: For a fast-acting method, create a foliar spray using calcium chloride, calcium acetate, or calcium nitrate. This directly applies calcium to the plant's leaves. [Source: MasterClass]
Practical Tips
- Start Small: Begin with smaller amounts of calcium amendments and observe your plants' response before adding more.
- Soil Testing: Regular soil testing helps determine if calcium supplementation is necessary and ensures you don't over-amend.
- Balanced Approach: While calcium is important, remember that plants need a balanced nutrient profile for optimal health.
