More or less, once eggs are used, everyone throws the eggshells in the trash, throwing away an incredible resource.
Once used, try soaking them in hot water; once you try it, you’ll never stop.
How to Use Eggshells for Plants
Whether you’re preparing a fried or hard-boiled egg, it’s best not to throw the shell in the trash; with a simple, correct procedure, you can use it for plants.
Not many people are aware of the botanical usefulness of eggshells; in fact, they can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants.
They can be finely ground and added to the soil or used as mulch around plant roots. Eggshells are rich in calcium, which is essential for plant growth and the formation of strong, healthy roots.
It’s good to know that eggshells contain 93% calcium and 1% nitrogen, making them a vital addition to the soil.
In addition, eggshells can also help maintain a balanced soil pH. It’s important to keep in mind that eggshells must be dried and cleaned before using them as fertilizer to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi.
However, be careful if you add them in large quantities; they can change the soil’s pH, making it more basic.
How to Treat Eggshells
To properly use eggshells, once you’ve separated them from their contents, wash them and let them dry for at least 24 hours.
Then, place them in small bags and crush them, obtaining small pieces, which you can use to scatter on the soil, in flowerbeds, in pots, or in the garden itself, between plants, near the stem.
By doing this, you’ll be providing a lot of energy to the plants, as eggshells contain a high percentage of calcium carbonate, the same calcium our bones need to grow strong, so you get an idea of how important it is.
You can also apply the ground eggshell to your own compost or substrate, or to your homemade compost.
There are many options available to obtain extra energy for plants to grow healthy and strong.
Many people boil the broken eggshells and then use them as irrigation water for plants.
In fact, many gardeners place eggshells in hot water because this helps remove residual proteins and fats from the surface, making them easier to grind and use as fertilizer.
In addition, the hot water can also help kill any bacteria or fungi on the eggshells, making them safer to use as fertilizer.
Since eggshells are rich in calcium and other minerals important for plant growth, placing them in hot water dissolves the calcium in the shells and makes it available to plants.