Specialized stores offer fertilizers of various nature, but feeding made on their own is no less effective. To do this, it is good to use eggshells, but it is important to consider that it is not suitable for all plants. Such raw materials have a rich composition and many useful properties.
The composition and benefits of egg shells
The structure of such raw materials is almost completely (93%) represented by calcium carbonate. This substance is a well-known lime fertilizer. It well affects the physical and chemical properties of the soil, strengthens its structure.
The most noticeable effect of calcium carbonate on soils with high acidity. This indicator negatively affects the fertility of the earth, and the use of egg shells for deoxidation is more convenient than chalk or lime. Effectively introduce raw materials together with mineral fertilizer.
In addition to calcium carbonate, other elements are present in the product. Of particular importance is the content:
- gland;
- magnesium
- potassium;
- sulfur;
- phosphorus;
- manganese;
- fluorine;
- molybdenum;
- zinc;
- silicon.
In total, the egg shell contains about 30 different elements. Most of them are important for the normal functioning of the flora.
Shell-based fertilizers are attractive for several factors:
- raw materials are of natural origin;
- no additional costs are required;
- during the year you can collect a decent amount of product for fertilizer;
- this top dressing is safe both for various cultures, and for the person;
- even large amounts of shell fertilizer will not do excessive harm to plants.
The best source of fertilizer is eggs from poultry, as natural products are used for their nutrition. The advantage of eggs from the store is the high content of calcium, but this factor is insignificant.
What plants are suitable for shell fertilizer?
Raw materials are great for most plants. This applies to vegetable crops, berry and fruit plantings, decorative representatives of the flora.
From among vegetable crops, shell-based fertilizer is most effective for the following representatives:
- Tomatoes
- cucumbers
- eggplant;
- bell pepper;
- cabbage (any kind);
- legumes;
- pumpkin.
Shells should be used mostly for adult crops. When applying this fertilizer at the seedling stage, one should not forget about moderation, otherwise it can only do harm.
Inshell effectively feed berries and fruit crops, since the formation of seeds or seeds requires calcium. It is useful to fertilize the following plants with such raw materials:
- apple tree;
- Cherries
- bird cherry;
- plum;
- pear trees;
- currants;
- gooseberry.
The shell is attractive for feeding watermelons and melons. In this case, it is recommended to scatter along the upper fertile layer.
What plants do not like eggshells?
Most plants respond well to shell fertilizer, but some plantings cannot tolerate it. This applies to such crops:
- beet;
- carrot;
- radish;
- turnip;
- radish;
- onion.
The edible parts of all these plants are located during cultivation in the ground, and the shell can adversely affect their taste. Root crops due to such fertilizer can acquire unnecessary friability and softness if it is introduced into the ground. Egg top dressing in liquid form can have the opposite effect when the fruits become too hard.
Potato is also a root crop, but it is quite possible to fertilize its shell, not forgetting about some restrictions. It is allowed to scatter raw materials between plantings, but not to put them in the pits during planting and not to resort to liquid fertilizer insisted on the shell.
Slightly softened potatoes due to eggshells can even be attractive. Such tubers will cook faster, and the dish will turn out friable.
Sorrel or chicory should not be fertilized with shells. Such plants like acidic soil. This also applies to sunflower, sage and a number of flower crops:
- asters;
- petunias;
- lilies of the valley;
- roses;
- tulips;
- carnations;
- delphiniums;
- Chrysanthemum
- calendula
- bindweed;
- primrose
- nasturtiums.
Methods of preparation of dressing and options for its use on the garden
Benefit will provide only properly prepared raw materials. This will also allow it to be stored normally, without fear of unpleasant odors.
It is necessary to collect the shell left over from raw eggs. First, it is better to put it in a cardboard box and a warm place for drying. Within a few days, the protein film will dry. After this, the raw materials can be kneaded and placed in a paper bag.
It is possible to collect shells from cooked eggs, but when cleaning it is important not to leave a protein film on it. In this form, the material for fertilizer will be less useful.
It is believed that it is better to use shells from brown eggs as fertilizer. It was noticed that it is thicker, because the content of nutrients in one unit of the product is higher.
The storage area for prepared raw materials must be dry. If an unpleasant odor emanates from the stored shell, it means that it was not well dried out or the place for its storage was chosen incorrectly.
The shell collected in winter carries a large number of useful elements. It is necessary to start harvesting raw materials in advance in order to collect a sufficient amount for the season.
You can prepare shell dressing in various ways:
- Grinding in a meat grinder or coffee grinder. It is previously recommended to stretch the raw materials with a rolling pin. The resulting flour should be stored in tightly closed jars.
- Shelling in a stove or on a fire. You will get a mixture with ash, which is often fertilized by various crops. With this method of preparation, the protein film is burned, because part of the useful properties of the product is lost.
- From the shell, you can make liquid top dressing. To do this, products dried in natural conditions should be grinded in a meat grinder or coffee grinder, placed in a glass dish, pour ordinary water there and tightly close. The tool must be insisted in the dark and cool. The turbidity of the liquid and the appearance of an unpleasant odor will tell about the readiness of feeding. Before applying fertilizer, it is necessary to dissolve it in 3 parts of water.
It is believed that powdered products are better absorbed by plants. Liquid fertilizer is also effective in this regard, since useful substances enter the water when the product is infused.
On the beds, such raw materials can be useful not only in the form of fertilizer, but also to protect against a number of pests. This mainly applies to moles and bears. In this case, the raw materials do not need much grinding. When planting, lay shell pieces in the ground. Pests do not like its sharp edges, and they stop digging moves.
Similarly, they fight with slugs, especially on beds with cabbage. Pieces of shell are distributed on the surface of the beds.
At the stage of growing seedlings, the shell can be useful as drainage. This option is suitable for any plants. Powdered raw materials can be added to the soil for seedlings.
Shells for growing seedlings are also used as containers. For this, raw eggs are not broken, but only the tops are removed from them. Be sure to make several holes for drainage at the bottom. You can plant hatching sprouts directly in the shell, but before planting it is better to gently crush it or remove the bottom of an impromptu pot.
On the beds, eggshells are also used as follows:
- If the soil is highly acidic, then it must be deoxidized. For this, the earth is dug up with crushed shells at the rate of 0.5 kg of raw material per square meter. If there is no shell in such a volume, then you can add a handful of it to each well during planting. The amount of raw materials introduced into the soil should be oriented to the soil acidity level.
- For the prevention of the black leg (decay of the root of the plants), sprinkle the ground where the plants are already planted. If the disease has already affected plantings, then diseased plants are completely pulled out or dug up, and the remaining pits are sprinkled with egg powder.
- It is effective to pour crushed shells into the soil after planting seeds. This technique accelerates the appearance of sprouts.
- Shell-based liquid fertilizer is attractive for feeding flowers. You can also make an infusion to water them. For this, the product is poured with boiling water and soaked in water for 4 days.
- Liquid fertilizer from eggshells can be effectively used as root dressing. This option is suitable for greenhouse crops, and for root crops growing in open ground.
- One of the simplest uses of eggshells as fertilizer is to add it to compost. At the same time, you need to remember that not all plants like this top dressing.
If you start collecting eggshells in the fall, then a decent amount of fertilizer can be accumulated by the garden season. It is natural, harmless and does not require additional costs. This top dressing can be used for most crops, but in moderation. The tool also allows you to protect the planting from some pests, which greatly spoil the life of gardeners.