Eggshells Are an Excellent DIY Fertilizer

To some, eggshells are nothing more than kitchen waste, but to others, eggshells can act as the perfect DIY fertilizer. Read on to learn the benefits of eggshells as fertilizer and how you can use them in your garden.

Eggshells Add Calcium to the Soil

One of the main reasons that eggshells can be an effective fertilizer is that they are full of calcium. In fact, a dry eggshell is about 95% calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate, also known as lime in the gardening world, can help strengthen your plants’ root systems and can help your plants avoid blossom end rot, a condition that can ruin the fruits of plants like tomatoes and peppers. Blossom end rot arises when your plants don’t have access to enough calcium.

Eggshells Make Soil Less Acidic

Another fantastic benefit of eggshell fertilizer is that it can help make your soil less acidic. While many plants will thrive in acidic soils, others require soil that is more neutral or alkaline. When soil is too acidic, it can become difficult for some plants to absorb vital nutrients from the soil. The calcium carbonate in eggshells helps raise the soil’s pH, making it more alkaline and allowing your plants to absorb the nutrients they need.

Eggshells Can Discourage Pests

Eggshells can also be a useful way to get rid of certain pests in your garden. The sharp edges of crushed eggshells can harm soft-bodied pests, such as slugs and other insects, which can deter them or even kill them outright. All you need to do is scatter some roughly crushed eggshells around your plants, and soon these pests won’t be an issue. The downside to this method is that while larger eggshell pieces are best for deterring pests, they take much longer to break down, meaning that your eggshells will be less effective as a soil amendment.

How to Prepare Eggshells to Use as Fertilizer

If you want to use your leftover eggshells as fertilizer, you’ll be pleased to learn that it is very easy to do. Start by washing your eggshells and allowing them to dry. Once the eggshells are dry, you can crush them using a mortar and pestle, a coffee grinder, a rolling pin, or any other tool you think will work. Remember that crushing your eggshells into a fine powder makes it much easier for them to absorb into the soil so that your plants can use them immediately. Leaving your eggshell pieces a bit larger is better for those interested in pest control rather than soil enrichment.

How to Apply Eggshell Fertilizer to Your Soil

Adding your crushed eggshell fertilizer to the soil is also very easy to do. Typically, it is best to lightly till your eggshells into the soil in the late fall. Applying in late fall gives your eggshells a better chance to absorb into the soil and become readily available to your plants once new growth resumes in spring.