There are a few things we can do for our garden that is just simple. One of them is using Epsom Salt and the other is using eggshells! Our family goes through about an 18 pack of eggs per week leaving a good weekly supply of eggshells. Tossing eggshells is not an option for me; and, if you’re a gardener it shouldn’t be for you either!
Why Eggshells?
Plants need calcium to grow and eggshells are composed primarily of calcium. Without calcium plants will have challenges building cell walls, a common sign of calcium deficiency is blossom end rot. Adding eggshells to your compost or straight into your garden (as I prefer to do) helps with this issue. I want to call out however, calcium from eggshells is NOT a quick fix! It does take time to break down, anywhere from 30 days or longer. If you have tested your soil and know you have a calcium deficiency into bone meal or gypsum to quickly provide some calcium. This means using eggshells is a habit. A basic ongoing way to provide your soil some of the calcium it needs to ensure you have stronger, healthier plants in your space.
How to use Eggshells!
It’s so easy!! There are so many ways to use eggshells. Some people store them in jars to dry them out, some rinse them and store them. I personally don’t rinse my shells. The shell linings include organic matter that is also good for your soil as such I leave it there. As my eggs are used, I place the shells back into the case and at the end of the week when the eggs are all gone I walk them to the garden, crumble them up and drop them right into my soil
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Use gloves when crumbling eggs, their may be some moisture there if the lining has not dried.
Grinding eggshells into powder is also an option and offers a faster release of the calcium into your soil.
