Your lavender plant will bloom bigger and brighter if it’s nourished correctly (Image: Getty)
Lavender may look effortlessly beautiful, but it’s one of those plants that can quickly struggle if you don’t get the basics right. Many gardeners unknowingly make simple mistakes that lead to weak growth and fewer flowers. Some assume that overfeeding these plants can produce more blooms, but this can do more harm than good.
The purple scented flower prefers low-nutrient soil, and too much fertiliser encourages leafy growth at the expense of those signature blooms. However, you can give it an extra boost this spring by adding one natural ingredient to its soil. Jean, a gardening enthusiast and founder of Green Jeane, accidentally used an unsuitable sand mix in her herb plant soil.
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But she was pleasantly surprised to find her lavender flourishing, despite the mistake. The secret behind the lavender’s robust growth is eggshells, which Jean had added to the soil.
She said: “The lavender also had some of that old sandy mix, but also lots of eggshells mixed in, so it was doing much better, and I didn’t bother to remove the sand when repotting it. I’m amazed at how much bigger and healthier the lavender looks!”
While it might sound strange, eggshells are rich in calcium, which strengthens plants and improves soil drainage, preventing lavender from becoming waterlogged.
Lavender thrives best in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, making eggshells – which can help reduce soil acidity – an ideal addition.
Jean recommended using eggs as a simple, natural method to nourish lavender and enrich their soil, although she warned that gathering the required eggshells can be a bit of a chore.
Eggshells help plants grow stronger and help improve the soil (Image: Getty)
She revealed: “My favourite amendment to lighten soil is simply dried and crushed eggshells. I like using Perlite, but it’s very dusty, and of course, you have to buy it.
“The only downside to using eggshells is that you have to be patient and save up a lot (or eat lots of eggs!), but I don’t repot that often, so I usually have just enough. “
How to use eggshells as a natural lavender feed
Simply rinse the eggshells properly after cooking to remove any excess yolk, as leftover food particles can smell bad and attract pests.
Jean explained: “If you’re going to use eggshells, be sure to rinse them first and dry thoroughly (a day or two) before crushing. Sticky membranes and yolk reside left inside the shell will make it clump together and have an odour.”
Not only will eggshells help lavender grow in spring but it will keep pests like slugs away from your garden (Image: Getty)
After you’ve collected enough eggshells, arrange them on a baking tray and pop them in the oven at 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes. Once done, grab a rolling pin or similar heavy item to grind the eggshells into fine fragments.
Drying and crushing eggshells is crucial because it speeds their breakdown, allowing the lavender to take in nutrients more easily.
The sharp, crushed eggshell fragments can also deter various garden pests, including slugs, snails, and other bugs, from approaching your lavender plants, keeping them safe.
You’ll only need one to two tablespoons of eggshells per lavender plant, and they require feeding with this DIY mixture just once during spring and again in summer.
Remember to use natural fertilisers sparingly, as excessive nutrients in the soil can lead to over-fertilisation and potentially burn the plant’s roots.
Investing a bit of time in creating dried, crushed eggshells can significantly enhance the health of your lavender plants, enrich the soil and deter certain pests, ensuring your blooms thrive in spring.
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