Boiling Eggshells Can Save A Lot Of Money

Gardening enthusiasts always look for ways to improve their plants’ health while saving money. One often overlooked method is using boiled eggshells in the garden. Not only do eggshells provide essential nutrients to your plants, but they also offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to commercial fertilizers.

Preparing Eggshells for Gardening Use

Collecting and Cleaning Eggshells

Start by collecting eggshells from your daily cooking. Rinse them thoroughly to remove any residue and let them air dry. Once dry, store the eggshells in a container until you have a sufficient amount.

Boiling Eggshells

Boiling eggshells is a crucial step in preparing them for gardening use. This process helps to sterilize the shells and makes them easier to crush. To boil the eggshells, place them in a pot, cover them with water, and bring the water to a boil. Let the shells boil for about 5 minutes, then strain and allow them to cool.

Crushing Boiled Eggshells

Once the boiled eggshells have cooled, crush them into smaller pieces using a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or a food processor. The finer the pieces, the more quickly they will break down in the soil and provide nutrients to your plants.

Benefits of Using Boiled Eggshells in Gardening

Provides Calcium for Plants

Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for plant growth. Calcium helps in the development of strong cell walls, roots, and stems. By adding crushed, boiled eggshells to your soil, you are providing your plants with a slow-release calcium source.

Improves Soil Structure and Drainage

The addition of crushed eggshells to your soil can help improve its structure and drainage. The coarse texture of the eggshells can help aerate the soil and prevent compaction, allowing better water flow and root development.

Deters Pests

Crushed eggshells can also act as a natural pest deterrent. The sharp edges of the shells can create a barrier that deters slugs and snails from reaching your plants. Additionally, some gardeners claim that the scent of eggshells can deter other pests like deer and rabbits.

How to Use Boiled Eggshells in the Garden

Direct Application to Soil

The simplest way to use boiled eggshells in your garden is by directly applying the crushed shells to the soil around your plants. Sprinkle a handful of crushed shells around the base of each plant and gently work them into the top layer of soil.

Mixing with Compost

Another way to incorporate boiled eggshells into your garden is by mixing them with your compost. Add the crushed shells to your compost pile, where they will break down over time and enrich the final compost product.

Creating an Eggshell Tea

For a quick calcium boost, you can create an eggshell tea by steeping crushed, boiled eggshells in water overnight. Strain the mixture and use the calcium-rich water to irrigate your plants.

Using as a Seed Starter Pot

Boiled eggshell halves can also serve as biodegradable seed starter pots. Fill the eggshell halves with seed starting mix, plant your seeds, and once the seedlings are ready, transplant them directly into the garden, eggshell and all.

Plants That Benefit from Boiled Eggshells

While most plants can benefit from the calcium provided by eggshells, some plants particularly thrive with this addition. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are known to be calcium-lovers and can greatly benefit from the use of boiled eggshells in their growing medium.

Conclusion

Using boiled eggshells in your garden is a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to provide your plants with essential nutrients and improve soil quality. By saving your eggshells and incorporating them into your gardening routine, you can boost your plants’ health while reducing your reliance on commercial fertilizers. Give this method a try and watch your garden thrive!