Eggs are delicious and full of nutrients. Most people will throw away the shell (which is the best part of the egg-at least for the plant). Instead of throwing them away, try using eggshells to increase soil fertility as they are an excellent source of calcium for plants, and make a good fertilizer. You can easily add nutrients and minerals to the soil using mashed eggshell or eggshell tea (a type of liquid organic fertilizer). You can also use egg shells as a nursery container so that the seeds grow well.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Crushed or Crushed Egg Shells
Step 1. Save the egg shells
When using eggs in food or recipes, do not throw away the shells. Crack a raw egg, wash the shell with warm water, put it in a container, and dry it in the sun. Rub your finger on the inside of the eggshell to remove any remaining residue, but try not to remove the membrane. Most of the nutrients are in this section.
For best results, try to use 4-5 eggs for each plant you wish to fertilize
Step 2. Crush the egg shells or make them into powder by grinding them
You can crush the shells into flakes using a food processor or your hands. You can also grind it into a powder using a pestle and mortar or coffee grinder. You can use whole eggshells to fertilize the soil, but if you crush or grind them finely, the eggshells will compost more quickly.
To make grinding easier, bake the eggshells at 180 degrees until they are light brown before you grind them
Step 3. Mix a few teaspoons of eggshell powder into the hole when you plant new flowers, vegetables, and herbs
Once the powder has been added, put the plant in it, and compact the surrounding soil by patting it. By inserting eggshell powder into the hole, the plant will get nutrients from the composted eggshell.
Step 4. Sprinkle the crushed eggshell around the base of the plant
Egg shells do not need to be covered with soil. When composting, eggshells release calcium and other nutrients into the soil. This makes plants grow healthy and strong.
Step 5. Mix the crushed egg shells with the planting medium
When buying plants from a seed seller, you will need to transplant them into new soil or pots. Before this is done, mix a handful of crushed eggshells into the growing medium. Over time, the egg shells will release nutrients into the soil, allowing new plants to grow healthy and strong.
If you can't use the eggshells right away, crush the shells first and then put them in the compost box
Method 2 of 3: Using Eggshell Tea
Step 1. Take a raw eggshell, wash it using warm water, and let it dry in a sunny location
When washing eggshells, rub your fingers inside to remove residue. Try not to remove the thin membrane on the inside of the egg shell as most of the nutrients are there.
Save the whites and yolks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Step 2. Mash the egg shells lightly
You can use your hands, a coffee grinder, or a food processor. This destruction is to make it easier for you to measure it.
Step 3. Add at least 2 tbsp. (30 grams) crushed egg shells in a large saucepan
The pot should be able to hold about 4 liters of eggshell tea.
For extra nutrition, you can add about 1 tbsp. epsom salt. Epsom salt contains a lot of magnesium and sulfate which is very useful for plants
Step 4. Put water in a saucepan and boil for a few minutes
You need 4 liters of water for every 2 tbsp. (30 grams) crushed egg shells. By boiling it, the egg shell will experience a "jump start" which makes it release nutrients into the water more quickly.
Step 5. Turn off the heat and let the eggshells soak in the water for at least 24 hours
You can also let it soak for a few days. During this time, the eggshell will release the nutrients into the water.
Step 6. Strain the soaking water and put it in a jar, then place it outside for one night
This is to allow the water to reach an outdoor temperature, which will minimize the risk of "shock" if the water is too cold or too hot. This will also help the plant to absorb nutrients better.
When placing the jars outdoors, remember to close them and place them in a shady location away from direct sunlight
Step 7. Water the plant with diluted eggshell tea
For best results, use this eggshell tea once a month. Eggshell tea will add calcium and other nutrients to the water, and promote plant growth. Store any remaining eggshell tea in a dry, cool location.
Method 3 of 3: Using Eggshells to Sow Seeds
Step 1. Crack a raw egg and remove the whites and yolks
You can open the egg into two equal parts, but this may not be enough to place the seeds of the plant. Instead, try breaking the egg into the top third with a spoon. Save the egg whites and yolks for side dishes.
- Do not use hard-boiled eggs as the shells are fragile. If you are poaching eggs, save the boiled water and let it cool. You can use boiled egg water to water plants.
- Do not use eggs that have been painted or colored (eg Easter eggs). Pigments contained in markers or paints contain dyes that can harm the fragile seeds of plants.
Step 2. Clean the inner and outer skin with warm water, then dry in the sun
When washing eggshells, run your fingers inside to remove residue.
Step 3. Make a small hole for drainage at the bottom of the eggshell using a needle or pin
You can do this more easily through the inside of the eggshell. This is not necessary, but it is useful to prevent excessive watering that can kill new plants.
Step 4. Insert the moist nursery planting medium into the egg shell
If the soil is hard to get into the eggshells, make a cut out of paper to get the soil into. You can also use a small spoon.
Step 5. Put 2-3 plant seeds, then cover with soil on top
Small plants, such as flowers and herbs, are perfect for sowing in eggshells. Large vegetables, such as beans, cucumbers, or squash can be sown in eggshells, but you'll need to move them elsewhere one week after the seeds germinate.
Try growing herbs that are easy to grow, such as basil, fennel, or parsley. Marigolds are also suitable for sowing in eggshells, as well as being edible
Step 6. Put the eggs in a container, then place them on a sunny windowsill and away from distractions
The container can be any shape, an egg carton or an expensive egg container. If using egg cartons, cover the top with plastic so the cartons don't get wet with water.
Step 7. Water the seeds of the plant and wait for it to germinate
Depending on the type of seed planted, you should see it germinate in less than a week. When watering seeds, it's best to use a spray, not a splash. The spray bottle will release the water more smoothly and gently which is great for young and fragile plants.
- Depending on the degree of dryness in your home, you may need to water the seeds every day for up to a few days.
- Rotate the eggshell every few days. This aims to equalize exposure to sunlight on all seeds so that later they can grow uniformly.
- You may have to remove the smaller/weaker seeds so that each egg shell is occupied by only one plant. This is to ensure that the young plants have sufficient space to grow.
Step 8. Move the plant with eggshells outdoors when the seedlings have 1-2 sets of true leaves
Before planting the eggshell in the ground, gently squeeze the shell, just enough to crack it, but don't let the soil inside be scattered. With a cracked and cracked shell, plant roots will penetrate it easily.
Egg shells can decompose naturally. When composting, eggshells release calcium and nutrients into the soil, which helps the growth of young plants
Step 9. Done
Tips
- Many gardeners have proven that egg shells can prevent rotting of tomato shoots.
- When composting, the crushed egg shells release calcium into the soil, which makes the plants grow strong and healthy.
- The calcium in eggshells can control the acidity in the soil.
- Egg shells contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Egg shells also contain a small amount of sodium, which is harmless to plants.
- When transplanting freshly purchased plants from the nursery into pots, try adding crushed eggshells to the growing medium.
- Save the boiled egg water. Let the water cool, and use it to water the plants. The calcium in the boiled eggs will be released into the water so you can use it to fertilize your plants.
- You can also add a few tablespoons of coffee grounds to the soil. Coffee grounds contain potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals that are useful for plants.
Warning
- When mixing eggshells with soil when you plant new seedlings, you may not see results until the following season. It takes some time for the eggshell to compost and the calcium to dissolve into the soil.
- Some people say that crushed eggshells act like diatomaceous earth and can ward off slugs. However, there are also those who claim that crushed eggshells are useless against slugs, and instead encourage slugs to prey on plants.
