Learn to create eggshell fertilizer for a thriving garden. Discover the best ways to store and grind eggshells, maximizing their benefits. Explore various uses of eggshells beyond fertilizer, promoting sustainability in your home.
Eggshells are an excellent garden fertilizer due to their high calcium carbonate content and traces of phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Calcium is crucial for building a plant’s structure, and eggshells help reduce soil acidity. They also act as a natural barrier against pests like slugs and snails, benefiting your garden. To maximize their effectiveness, grind the eggshells into smaller pieces before adding them to the soil, as explained in the following section.
Begin by rinsing the inner membrane, then let the eggshells dry out for a few days, or use a warm oven for faster drying. Heat-dried shells grind easier, making them ideal for your compost bin. Additionally, hot composting can kill pathogens like salmonella, ensuring safety.
To transform eggshells into a fine powder, you can use a variety of tools such as a mixer, pestle and mortar, or a blender. After grinding them to the desired size, store the powder in an airtight container. Fine powder helps ensure better absorption by your plants.
To allow enough time for eggshells to absorb, it's best to till them into the soil immediately before and after the growing season. You can also combine eggshells with organic matter, such as coffee grounds, to promote healthy growth in new planting rows. Some folks also sprinkle them around plants throughout the growing season to deter pests.
As you might have guessed by now, eggshells serve many purposes around the home. Of course, you can make fertilizer, but you can also create eggshell planters and repurpose egg cartons. Learn about more ways to make the most of Rosemary Farm eggs by reading our latest blogs and staying stocked.
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