There are numerous uses to eggs, in the home, and many different places; in fact, we do not think the uses of eggs can be outdated as eggs are known as one of the top healthy food you can have. Perhaps, one of the most popular uses is the use of eggs for culinary purposes.
However, over time, the uses of eggs have been emphasized in the beauty section and the hair world. It is no surprise that there has been a recent uproar on the use of eggshells for growing plants. Surprised? While in most cases the part of eggs that is being used is the white and the yolk, in the gardening world, the part of an egg that is being used is the eggshell.
Eggshells are often regarded as waste; it is often tossed into the bin after the eggs have been gotten. What a lot of people do not know is that eggshells contain valuable nutrients that are beneficial to plants. In addition, eggshells also perform many other roles i.e. Ward off insects and crawling pests as well as beautify the plant.
As expected, eggshells cannot be used for all plants and are only beneficial or specific to certain plants. This isn’t because of the lack of potency of the eggshell; this is because not all plants require the nutrients that the eggshells carry. Providing plants what they do not need is as good as wasting resources or just destroying your plant.
Table of Contents
What Are The Nutrients That The Eggshells Carry?
- Calcium: Eggshells carry a large amount of calcium. Eggshells are known as one of the most calcium-rich ingredients in the world. Plants that benefit from eggshells are mainly plants that require calcium to grow or stay healthy.
- Minerals: Alongside the calcium, eggshells contain a huge amount of different minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon, sodium, iron, etc. All of these when placed in the soil or when a plant is fertilized with it enhance the overall growth of the plant.
- Amino Acids: Important to the health of humans and plants are certain beneficial amino acids, and the eggshells contain some of them. Cysteine, lysine, methionine, and many more.
10 Plants That Like Eggshells
The following are plants that eggshells can be applied and beneficial to, either as fertilizer or in other ways.
1. Marigold
The marigold plant is known for its yellow-orange flowers, for this reason, the plant is grown for ornamental purposes. The plant is also known to be used for stomach upsets, eye infections, inflammation, and many more.
One major problem with growing marigold in the garden is that it is often damaged or disturbed by slugs and snails. Placing eggshells around the marigold plant will keep the crawling pests away from your plant.
2. Strawberries
Strawberries are popularly grown all around the world for their fruits. The strawberry fruit is known for its bright red color, sweetness, and texture. It is not uncommon to have strawberries in gardens because of how easy they are to grow.
Your strawberry will experience even better growth if it is provided the right nutrients to grow. Calcium, potassium among many other nutrients are nutrients that the eggshells can provide and that is beneficial for the growth of your strawberries. It will help produce larger flower buds.
3. Squash
Squash is a fruit that is popularly classified as a vegetable, just like tomatoes. This is probably because it is used as a vegetable when it is used for cooking. We can say the squash plant is relatively easy to grow, as long as it is provided all of its required nutrients.
A sure way to ensure that your squash is getting the nutrients he wants is to place some crushed eggshells around the plants. The nutrients in the eggshell will ensure that you have a robust growth of squash.
4. Cabbage
Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables; it is a biennial plant that is grown as an annual vegetable crop. The vegetable comes in colors ranging from green to red (purple) or white. It comes from the brassica family and is relative to broccoli and cauliflower. Cabbage is one of those vegetables that can be grown easily in your garden. Eggshells provide calcium to enhance the growth of the plant, prevent slugs and snails from your plant.
5. Eggplants
The eggplant is a tropical, perennial plant, which is popularly grown for its edible fruit. The fruit comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even colors. Eggshells, when placed around the eggplants will boost the plant’s overall growth. In addition to this, it will also keep the plant safe from pests such as snails, worms, slugs, and other pests.
6. Peppers
Growing pepper is an easy task, provided it is given sunlight and well-draining soil. Eggshells around your pepper plant will give it a slow but steady supply of calcium, this will help your plant grow to its maximum potential and help ward off pests and diseases.
7. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most known and eaten vegetables in the world. Tomatoes possess very high nutrients i.e. vitamin c, fiber, potassium, etc. Tomatoes are mainly and commonly used for culinary purposes, and are often recommended for specific people with illnesses or diseases i.e. diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, etc.
Inability to provide the tomatoes the nutrients that it requires to grow will impede the growth.
Calcium is a major nutrient that the tomatoes require; an absence of calcium will result in blossom end rot. Eggshells have a very high amount of eggshell in them, growing the tomatoes with eggshells will protect your plant from blossom end rot, increase the fruit’s taste and also enhance the shelf life of the tomatoes.
8. Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green flowing plant. It is a common vegetable that is often consumed either fresh or after being stored. The vegetable can also be eaten cooked or raw.
Growing spinach with eggshells as fertilizer or compost or just an addition to the soil will provide the right amount of calcium that the plant needs to grow properly. The eggshells also prevent diseases and infections from the plant. Pests are also kept at bay with the use of eggshells.
9. Broccoli
Broccoli is an edible plant that is from the cabbage family. The plant has a large flowering head and stalk and they are eaten as vegetables. The plant, like all others in its family, is quite easy to grow and rose in the garden provided it is given its entire requirement.
Adding eggshells to the soil of the broccoli plant helps in boosting the overall growth of the plant; it also keeps the pests away.
10. Lettuce
Lettuce is an annual plant and is often grown for its leaf vegetable, stem, and seed. Lettuce is used for salads. It is not uncommon to have pests all around your lettuce plant, however, one way to keep them off is with the use of eggshells. Eggshells also help in the proper growth of the lettuce.
Final Thoughts
Eggshells are quite valuable to the farmer; you only have to know how to use them for your plants. The garden is not the only place your eggshells are required, you can also use them for your potted plants and your indoor plants.
Eggshells are useful to all as long as they require calcium and other nutrients that come with eggshells. The next time you have a pile of eggshells, remember you will need them for your plants.
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