The UK is starting to see some sunshine creeping into the weather forecast, which means it is now the best time for gardeners to start saving their leftover eggshells. Many people do not realise that everyday kitchen scraps are rich in nutrients, and that after winter the soil can be depleted and needs to be fertilised to grow anything in the garden. Eggshells are mostly made of calcium, a nutrient that helps plant roots grow as strong as possible, and without it, can lead to really weak stems that are more likely to go brown or die back.
Tamara Reid, a gardener with 20 years of experience and the founder of The Reid Homestead has shared that she always save up eggshells to use in spring to start growing certain crops. She said: “During the fall and winter, I start saving eggshells in preparation for using them when I plant my tomato seedlings and pepper seedlings.”
Why are eggshells useful for a spring garden?
Eggshells can help prevent blossom end rot, a garden disease that is usually found in cold and wet soil, which means it is very common in British gardens at this time of year.
Blossom end rot occurs when there is not enough calcium in the soil for new plants trying to grow fruit, and it can cause them to become extremely shrivelled and misshapen.
It is the main reason tomatoes often die in spring gardens, but it can also kill peppers, cabbage, squash, cucumbers and any other leafy greens.
However, eggshells benefit more than just crops, as their calcium encourages earthworms that improve soil structure and help flowers and shrubs healthier roots.
How to use eggshells to fertilise a spring garden?
You cannot just throw eggshells around your garden, as large chunks will not break down properly and will just sit on the ground, completely useless.
Eggshells need to be crushed in order to be effective, and it is very easy to turn them into a homemade fertiliser.
All you need to do is place your eggshells on a baking sheet and then put them in the oven for around 20 minutes. This helps dry the eggshells, making them much easier to break up.
Let the eggshells cool, then mash them with a large wooden spoon or a rolling pin and store them in a glass mason jar until you are ready to use them.
Then sprinkle the eggshells around the base of a plant, or add them to a compost bin. They should help boost your plants, keep crops disease-free and deter slugs so you can have a thriving garden in spring.
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