We’ve all been eating a lot of eggs lately, if sales data are to be believed. You love what’s inside of them. But did you know your plants love what’s outside?
So don’t toss those shells. Whether you’re growing a victory garden or tending an indoor houseplant menagerie, there are ways to use your eggshells to give your plants a nutritional boost. Eggshells are made almost entirely of calcium carbonate, which our bodies need for healthy bones and muscles. Our plants need it too. And you can deliver it to them through compost, soil or by making “eggshell tea.”
Clean, dry eggshells can go directly into your compost, says Yvonne Savio, who worked as a master gardener coordinator for L.A. County and runs the website GardeningInLA.net. You also can put crumbled shells in the soil before you place plants or seeds. The minerals — mostly calcium carbonate, though also small amounts of potassium and phosphorus — will slowly break down to the point where they can be absorbed by the plant’s roots. But it takes a long time for the shells to decompose, so think of doing this as fertilizing next year’s plants.
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Plants like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in particular will benefit from shell fertilizer, Savio said. The extra calcium will help prevent blossom-end rot. Broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, spinach and amaranth are also calcium-packed and could use extra from eggshells.
Shards of eggshell also can be used to keep certain pests out. If your plants suffer from snails or slugs, spread the crumbled shells on top of the soil around the base of the plants, making the barrier about two inches wide all around. Slimy creatures won’t be able to get past the pointy bits.
If you only have indoor garden space, eggshells can still give your plant babies a boost in the form of “eggshell tea.”
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Leigh Adams, an interpretive horticulturist and educator at the Los Angeles Arboretum, said you don’t have to be too specific with this recipe. Rinse out your eggshells so there’s no sticky whites left, and let them dry out. (She keeps them in the corner of her microwave while she heats up other things. I leave mine in a container in the back of the fridge.) Crumble your eggshells by hand, put them in a temperature-safe container, and then pour boiling water over them. Let the mixture “steep,” just like tea, for as long as it takes for the water to cool to room temperature.
If you don’t want little shards of eggshell in your indoor plants, you can strain the shells out and only use the water if you want, or leave them in for the long-term fertilizing boost. Pour the liquid over your plants the same way you’d use regular water on them.
Decorative plants (i.e., your collection of succulents) don’t need as much calcium as food-growing plants, but all plants will benefit from the minerals in eggshell tea.
“It’s kind of like an all-purpose fertilizer, and the plant will pull up what it can use, what it’s in need of,” Savio said.
In this time of potential shortages and limited grocery store runs, we’re all trying to make the most of what we have. Make your eggshells work for you.
FAQs
Crumble your eggshells by hand, put them in a temperature-safe container, and then pour boiling water over them. Let the mixture “steep,” just like tea, for as long as it takes for the water to cool to room temperature.
How to make egg shell tea for plants? ›
Eggshell crumb is useful in keeping snails & slugs away when sprinkled generously around the plant. Place the eggshells in jar & cover with boiling water. Leave overnight. Remove shells & mix 1 cup of eggshell tea with 4 litres of water to feed plants.
Is eggshell tea good for plants? ›
But I especially like this method of making an eggshell tea (yum!) to use as an all-natural and inexpensive fertilizer that can be used for houseplants or in the garden. Not only does it give our green friends a good boost of calcium, but it gives eggs one last hurrah before heading to the compost.
Are boiled egg shells still good for plants? ›
"Eggshells will add some immediate calcium to the soil if ground up to a fine powder," Austin says. "Using water that eggs are boiled in does not add much calcium or benefit to the soil. Conclusion: Crush your eggshells and add them to compost.
Which plants benefit from crushed egg shells? ›
It is beneficial to use egg shells when growing your own vegetables like tomato, pepper and aubergine or plants such as roses, hydrangeas, spider plants, ferns and ivy. Another way to add this homemade fertiliser to your plants is through a calcium solution.
Which plants don't like eggshells? ›
Wondering what plants don't like eggshells? It's best to avoid using them on varieties that naturally prefer more acidic soil, such as azaleas and geraniums.
Can I mix coffee grounds with eggshells for plants? ›
The duo of used coffee grounds and eggshells are also helpful as mulch, a layer of material applied to the surface of soil to improve its health.
How much eggshell do I add to my plants? ›
A mortar and pestle, food processor or coffee grinder will get the job done as well. (A coffee grinder will get them closer to a powder.) Add 1–2 tablespoons of crumbled or powdered eggshell fertilizer to compost or planting holes. Measurements don't need to be too exact, but avoid a layer of eggshells at the roots.
Can you put too many eggshells in your garden? ›
Eggshells take a lot longer to break down compared to many other compostable goods, and too many of them can increase the acidity of your compost. This shouldn't be a problem, unless you plan on using it to grow plants that prefer low soil pH.
Do I need to rinse eggshells before composting? ›
Washing eggshells before composting is not necessary to eliminate salmonella. Compost piles get very hot in the center, around 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (60 to 71 degrees Celsius), which is enough to kill most pathogens.
The biggest benefit after tomatoes is to cucumbers. Place the crushed shells of a dozen eggs right down in their planting holes to provide easy-to-reach calcium, and your cukes will be noticeably crisper — and that crispness will extend to any cukes that you put up into pickles.
Are coffee grounds good for plants? ›
Coffee grounds contain several key nutrients needed by plants, including nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other trace minerals. These are all nutrients that plants need to grow. The grounds are particularly rich in nitrogen, making them a great addition to compost.
Are banana peels good for plants? ›
Banana peels can be placed directly onto pot plant soil, or around the base of your garden as mulch. As they decompose, they will release nutrients into the soil to feed plants. If using banana peels in your garden, place a single layer straight on top of the soil, being sure not to let them touch the plant stem.
What plants don't like coffee grounds? ›
Coffee grounds inhibit the growth of some plants, including geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass. Conversely, grounds (used as mulch and compost) improve yields of soybeans and cabbage.
Do you have to wash egg shells for plants? ›
After cracking the egg into a bowl, I rinse the shells and let them air dry in a bowl or jar. Once I've collected enough shells, I incorporate them into our garden when I plant the seeds. I sprinkle them in the holes before planting, providing our plants with essential nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Can you put boiled egg water on plants? ›
You can also use water from boiling eggs, which is full of calcium your plant needs to grow. This method of watering your plants works because it acts like a fertilizer to give your plants the nutrition they need to survive. This is a great alternative if you do not have the space or time to develop a compost pile.
