1 day Ago By Ellen Jenne
A budding gardener has shared a handy tip for anyone looking for a homemade and natural remedy to help improve soil health. What’s even better, you probably already have it in your fridge. TikToker The Container Gardener advised anyone with eggs to avoid throwing out their shells, as they could be the handy plant fertiliser you’re after.
Egg shells can provide your plants with an abundance of nutrients. So avoid throwing them away without seeing what they can provide for your garden. They wrote in the caption: “Don't throw out those eggshells! Eggshells offer numerous benefits for plants as they are a rich source of calcium, which helps improve soil structure, reduces acidity and provides essential nutrients for healthy plant growth, especially for lime-loving plants and those prone to blossom end rot.
” Once the shells are empty, give them a rinse under the tap. Then place them on a paper towel, separating them and leaving to dry. Place them in a microwavable container and place in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Crush them into a fine powder or blitz in a food processor. Then sprinkle the shell powder onto your plants. A benefit for using egg shells for soil fertiliser is down to the shell’s high level of calcium carbonate.
Calcium carbonate is also known as lime. A typical egg shell contains around two grams of calcium, making up 95 per cent of the shell. The calcium can help strengthen a plant’s cell walls, helping to keep your blooms healthy.
The Container Gardener further explained: “Crushed eggshells can improve soil structure by adding ‘grittiness’ and aeration, especially in heavy clay soils. They help retain water, making it more available to plants. “The calcium in eggshells can help to neutralize acidic soil, creating a more favorable environment for plants that prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
” Along with calcium, the shells also house a range of nutrients good for plants, including small quantities of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. Gardeners World explained that the plants which love lime include brassicas, but others love acidic soil, such as rhododendrons. You can also use egg shells for certain vegetables too, including potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, courgettes, marrows and squash.
When it comes to plants and crops which don’t like lime, steer clear of blueberries, pieris and azaleas. Gardeners World also recommends testing the pH level of the soil to find out its level of acidity or alkalinity. Another bonus for using egg shells on your plants is that it can help ward off any unwanted pests.
It can double up as a solution for banishing slugs. These nutrients can help reduce acidity in the soil, help rapid growers which can suffer from calcium-deficient soil, as well as a deterrent for pests like slugs and snails, according to The Spruce..
