Egg shells usually end up in the trash. However, properly processed, they can be used to fertilize flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. All information on this below.
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Contain important nutrients
These bowls are ideal for use as fertilizer in the garden and for indoor plants. They are a good alternative to chemical fertilizers. However, it should be noted that not all plants tolerate treatment with eggshells equally well. The skins that accumulate in the household contain lime and other minerals that are essential for the plants. In addition to light, air and water, plants also need nutrients and minerals for healthy growth. The shells consist of up to 90 percent calcium carbonate (CaCO³), also known colloquially as carbonate of lime. Next to it are also
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphor
- Magnesium in small amounts
- Fluor
- copper
- To demand
- Mangan
- molybdenum
- sulfur
- zinc and silicon
contain. Due to the high level of calcium carbonate contained, the plants are able to easily absorb all other minerals and nutrients after fertilizing with eggshells.
Neutralize acidic soil
The calcium released from the eggshell is not only an essential nutrient for the plants, because fertilizing with eggshells has other advantages such as
- a slow increase in soil pH
- hence neutralization of over-acidified soil
- Improvement of the soil structure
- i.e. loosening the soil
- Activation of soil organisms
- thereby creating optimal conditions for nutrient uptake by plant roots
However, when administering eggshell fertilizer, the needs of the plants should always be considered. It is good to know that there are lime-loving and lime-sensitive plants. In addition, a corresponding effect can only be achieved with lighter, less clayey soils. If the soil is very heavy, quicklime or slaked lime should be used to raise the soil pH. Before applying this organic fertilizer, it is advisable to test the pH of the soil in question. If the lime content is already higher, then fertilization should be avoided. Otherwise 100 g eggshell fertilizer can be used per square meter. However, it should be noted
- no application of calcium carbonate together with ammonium or phosphate
- wait three months between application of ammonium fertilizer or phosphates and eggshell fertilizer
- when calcium carbonate and ammonium come into contact, gaseous ammonia is formed
- if calcium carbonate and phosphate are applied at the same time, poorly soluble calcium phosphate is formed
- this difficult for plants to utilize
It should also be noted that eggshell fertilizer is not intended as a sole fertilizer, but should always be used in conjunction with long-term fertilizers such as compost or horn shavings.
Prepare fertilizer solution correctly
The effectiveness of this organic fertilizer can be increased by grinding the skins. This allows the calcium carbonate contained in it to be dissolved more quickly. The eggshell powder can now be gradually worked into the soil. However, application with water is more effective. In order to produce a corresponding solution, the procedure is as follows
- Crush peels in mortar, blender or coffee maker
- Alternatively work on a wooden board with a meat mallet or
- crush between two boards
- then pour into a liter of water
- use 3 to 4 shells of eggs per liter of water
- leave for at least 12 hours
- better another week
- during this time calcium carbonate and other minerals dissolve
- then strain everything through a sieve or filter bag
- Pour solution into watering can
The solution can now be applied. You should wear gloves when doing this, as calcium carbonate can irritate the skin. Watering only moistens the soil, never wets the plant. Otherwise, limescale stains can form. Any coarse pieces of shell that are still present can simply be collected from the ground by hand.
Lime-loving plants
As already mentioned, there are lime-sensitive and lime-loving plants. The latter are happy about an additional gift of lime in the form of eggshells as fertilizer. This includes
shrubs and trees
- Rosen
- blackberries and raspberries
- gooseberries
- currants
- strawberry
- elder
- Fruit trees such as sweet cherry, plum, peach, pear, apple
- boxwood
- Berberitze
- Butterflies
vegetable plants
- all types of cabbage
- carrots
- onions
- asparagus
- salsify
- Beetroot
- leek
- tomatoes
- beans
- peas
- Mangold
- Saddlery
- Knoblauch
- rhubarb
herbs
- chives
- Oregano
- Parsely
- Borretsch
- sage
flower
- Akelei
- autumn crocus
- Haselwurz
- creeping buggies
- grape hyacinth
- Pfingstrose
- snowdrop
- Astern
- cyclamen
- Star ball and giant leek
