Secrets to collecting, storing, and using eggshells in the garden

To ensure a good harvest, gardeners use various fertilizers and supplements that enrich plants with nutrients. To reduce the cost of mineral fertilizers, vegetable growers often use readily available organic matter. Some successfully use eggshells as fertilizer. Eggshells are a source of calcium, phosphorus, and other elements, improve soil structure, and protect plants from pests and diseases.

Useful properties of eggshells

Calcium is rarely found in its pure form in nature. Typically, this chemical element occurs as carbonates and their salts. It is found in this form in many foods. In eggshells, calcium is present as carbonate. This substance makes up 95% of the hard shell of the egg.

In addition to calcium, eggshells contain 27 other chemical elements. These include:

• magnesium carbonate;
• magnesium phosphate;
• potassium;
• sulfur;
• iron;
• aluminum.

Crushed eggshells are useful for alkalizing soil. They are added to clayey, heavy, and highly acidic soils. An additional benefit of using the eggshells in this way is that they enrich the soil with microelements and minerals. The eggshells loosen the soil, improve aeration of plant roots, and saturate them with nutrients.

Thanks to the calcium content, adding eggshells improves soil drainage. The soil above doesn't crack, and the root system isn't damaged. Many gardeners use eggshells to repel pests or protect against certain diseases.

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Collection and preparation of shells for use

When untreated eggshells are stored indoors for long periods, a persistent hydrogen sulfide odor develops. This is caused by the decomposition of organic protein on the inside of the hard shells. To prevent this unpleasant odor, pre-treat the raw materials using one of the following methods:

1. Before storing, eggshells are washed under the tap. This thoroughly removes all membranes, traces of droppings, and other organic matter. Washing slightly reduces the usefulness of the shells., but prevents the occurrence of unpleasant odor.
2. Another processing method is baking the shells in an oven for a few minutes. This process speeds up the drying of the hard shells and makes them easier to grind later.

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Once the shells are dry, grind them into a powder using any convenient method. This powder is ideal for adding to soil or making fertilizer. For grinding, use a coffee grinder, a meat grinder, or simply crush them with a mortar and pestle.

Dried eggshells are stored in wooden boxes or glass jars. They can also be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags. Store the containers in a dry, ventilated area. In this form, the beneficial properties of eggshells are preserved for several years.

Tincture on eggshells

This infusion is often used as a liquid fertilizer. It's suitable for indoor seedlings, greenhouse or open-air plants, and houseplants. Large pieces of eggshells are used to make this beneficial fertilizer. It's best to use shells from raw, uncooked eggs, as they retain more nutrients.

Step-by-step preparation of fertilizer:

1. Fill a glass jar to the top with shell halves.
2. The remaining space is filled with hot water.
3. The tightly closed container is left to infuse at room temperature.
4. Shake the jar daily. The tincture's readiness will be indicated by the liquid turning cloudy and developing an unpleasant odor.
5. The finished product is filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5.

This fertilizer is used to water plants and seedlings. The remaining fertilizer can be used to prepare fertilizer 2-3 more times. Some vegetable growers use melted snow or rainwater instead of regular tap water.

Using eggshell powder

Powdered eggshells are added to the soil when planting seedlings in their permanent locations. To do this, add a handful of shells to the prepared holes, spreading the powder along the sides.

Especially This type of fertilizer is useful for tomatoes. and peppers. It protects young plants from blossom-end rot. Melons, cabbage, and eggplants respond well to the addition of eggshells. When planting onions or garlic, crushed shells are added to the furrows in the beds.

To reduce soil acidity in the fall, add eggshell powder to the soil during tillage. Add one cup of the powder per square meter. To loosen the soil, use a coarse powder. Eggshells take a long time to decompose, so this fertilizer will last for several years.

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Pest and disease control

In addition to enriching the soil with nutrients and improving its structure, hard eggshells are sometimes used to repel pests and prevent certain plant diseases. When planting cabbage, adding the powder to the hole prevents the development of clubroot.

Large pieces of eggshells help control slugs in vegetable and berry crops. To do this, crush the large pieces of eggshells and mix them with equal parts charcoal or ash. The resulting mixture is distributed among the rows of garden beds where slugs are most likely to appear. The sharp pieces of eggshells can injure the slugs' delicate bodies, so they prefer to find a more comfortable place to live.

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Besides slugs, this method can eliminate some other soil-dwelling pests. Placing large pieces of eggshells in the hole when planting seedlings can protect young plants from mole crickets or moles.

Eggshells can be harvested regularly and then used as free fertilizer. Ground shells are useful for improving soil structure, enriching it with beneficial elements, and protecting plants from diseases and pests.