Eggshells as Fertilizer

Don’t throw out those eggshells. Wash and add to your worm composter or use them with your houseplants or in the garden as a fertilizer supplement.

Egg shells will add small amounts of calcium, potassium, a bit of sodium, but not enough to harm the plants, phosphorous and magnesium. They don’t provide all the nutrients a plant needs but could be used as a supplement to your regular fertilizing regime.

Jeff Gillman, Professor and author of several books including The Truth about Garden Remedies suggests using shells from 4 to 5 eggs per plant. Mix them in the garden soil or potting mix prior to planting.

The water used to boil eggs could also be used as a liquid fertilizer for plants. Just let it cool and apply about 2 cups per plant.

Though only providing small amounts of nutrients, both methods keep the egg shells out of the garbage.

A bit more information: Check out all of Jeff Gillman’s books for insight into garden remedies and organic practices that work and why.  His other titles include The Truth about Organic Gardening, Decoding Gardening Advice, How Trees Die and How the Government Got into Your Backyard.

Tags

sustainable-gardening fertilize vermicompost

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