Using eggshells as fertilizer is one of the secrets often applied by gardeners when taking care of plants. So how can fertilizing plants with eggshells be effective? What is the best way to care for plants?
The composition of eggshells consists of up to 97% Calcium, which plays a vital role in stimulating root growth and aiding in the formation of cell membranes, making plants more robust.
Additionally, Calcium increases the activity of certain enzymes, helping to neutralize organic acids within plants. Furthermore, when plants absorb Calcium, it reduces the level of Nitrate nitrogen, promoting favorable conditions for root microorganisms to thrive, reducing soil acidity, and enhancing cellular metabolic processes.
Moreover, it is worth noting that chicken eggshells have various other benefits for different types of plants.
The miraculous effects of eggshells on plants:
- Supplying calcium: Calcium plays a role in stimulating root growth, aiding in the formation of compounds that make up cell membranes, and making plants stronger. In addition, calcium enhances the activity of certain enzymes, aiding in the neutralization of organic acids within plants. Moreover, when plants absorb calcium, it reduces the level of nitrate nitrogen, promoting favorable conditions for the growth of root microorganisms, reducing soil acidity, and enhancing cellular metabolic processes.
- Balancing pH and detoxifying soil contaminants: Calcium helps in detoxification, pH balance, increasing soil friability, and soil structure improvement. Additionally, it aids in the absorption of heavy metals (such as Cu, Cr, As, Al, Cd,…) and other organic toxins.
- Protecting plants from harmful snails and insects: The sharp edges of eggshells pose a threat to soft-bodied organisms.
- Cost-saving and environmental protection: Eggshell fertilizer is an eco-friendly solution that repurposes kitchen waste and saves you money on commercial fertilizers.
- Making a seedling tray: used for germinating seeds.
Simple and effective ways to use eggshells as plant fertilizer
Method 1: Crushing eggshells for use as fertilizer:
- Making fertilizer has never been this simple. All you need is: Eggshells, a mortar and pestle, or a grinder.
- First, you need to thoroughly wash the eggshells and let them dry slightly. Then, place the cleaned eggshells in a mortar and use a pestle to crush them into small pieces, or you can use a grinder to grind them into a fine powder. The smaller and finer the eggshells are, the faster they will decompose, and the plants can absorb them more quickly.
- Next, mix the crushed/ground eggshells with the planting soil.
Method 2: Sow the seeds inside the eggshell
Sowing seeds in eggshells is fun, easy, good for the environment, and great for your plants.
