Crushed eggshells for fertilizer?
Question:Are crushed to powder eggshells a good fertiliser alone or does plants need else additonal fertilizer for proper plant growth?
Answers:
Different plants need different types of fertilizer.
From what I've read, eggshell fertilizer does the same thing to the soil as Lime does. So, if you wouldn't put lime in your soil for whatever you are growing, don't use the eggshells. Also, Excess calcium can inhibit the uptake of magnesium, boron and potassium which are all crucial to plant growth.
However, eggshells take a long time to break down. So, if you are just looking for a practical use for eggshells rather than them ending up in the dump, it probably wouldn't hurt to sprinkle it here and there.
For fertilizer, eggshells are smashed into a powder. But if you smash them to a coarse size, they can be sprinkled around plants to keep slugs away. But it can be unsightly.
Birds LOVE eggshells and the extra source of calcium is good for them, especially during spring, when they are depleting their own body's resources with laying their own eggs.
Here's a link which may help you>
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load...
its not good for fertilizer, but people do that to keep slugs away.
i use those by them selves. You won't be able to tell a diffrence, but it does help
The egg shells are high in calcium, but you'll also need other nutrients such as phosphorus to give plants what they need.
Found lots of info, check out link!
Powdered Eggshell Fertilizer
Next time you use an egg, don’t throw away the shell. Eggshells provide a rich source of potassium and calcium, and eggshells are fantastic when used in homemade fertilizer. Making powdered eggshell fertilizer is simple. Dry out empty eggshells, and crush them into powder. Work approximately five crushed eggshells into the soil around every plant. Outdoor flowers, fruits, and vegetables will benefit greatly from this homemade fertilizer.
A Japanese restaurant owner had eggshells in her restaurant plant pots. They were not crushed, just almost perfect halves. I think from boiled eggs. She said they were great for plant growth. Even if they weren't, it was very pretty and interesting.
If your talking outdoor plants then Yes, also coffee grounds, fruit & vegetable scraps, fish bones, basically anything except meat or dairy. Be sure to bury it as to not attract rodents. This improves the soil and over time you will have what I call black gold. Your plants will thrive year after year.
I use eggshells as a part of my compost - they are full of good stuff for the yard. You don't have to add them to anything but water and they will still do their work.
I'm sure it can't hurt the nutrition of the soil. Make sure you don't cut your feet on the eggshells in the garden. If you garden barefoot. You may get an infection by the cut, do to the unsanitary conditions of the uncooked egg shells. Be safe. Happy gardening!
More Related Questions & Answers...