Prepare to be amazed as we uncover the hidden potential of a humble kitchen scrap—eggshells! No, you’re not going nuts! We’re about to introduce you to the wonders of eggshell fertilizer tea. While eggshells are commonly used as a natural barrier against snails and slugs due to their sharp edges, their benefits extend far beyond pest control. Simply leaving eggshells on the soil can be helpful, but to unlock their true potential, proper crushing and brewing are key. Enter eggshell tea, a powerful concoction that researchers have studied extensively, yielding astounding results.
The process of crushing eggshells allows them to decompose and release their valuable nutrients at an accelerated rate.
Eggshell tea offers an array of benefits for your plants, including:
Calcium Supply: Rich in calcium, eggshell tea provides a vital nutrient for plant health.
Potassium Boost: The tea also supplies potassium, supporting robust growth.
pH Regulation: Eggshell tea can raise the pH value of both alkaline and neutral soil, optimizing nutrient absorption.
Calcium Absorption: The tea aids in the absorption of calcium by plant roots, preventing short root growth.
Enhanced Fruit and Vegetable Quality: By strengthening cell wall structures, eggshell tea improves the quality of produce.
Disease Resistance: The tea contributes to plant resilience by fighting off diseases.
Heat Stress Protection: Eggshell tea helps shield plants from heat stress.
Increased Drought Tolerance: By regulating water absorption, the tea promotes drought tolerance.
Improved Color and Photosynthesis: Fruit color is enhanced, and photosynthesis is improved with the application of eggshell tea.
Enhanced Stem Strength: The tea strengthens plant stems, providing better support.
Water Absorption Regulation: Eggshell tea helps plants regulate water absorption, preventing issues like blossom end rot.
Prevention of Blossom End Rot: Eggshell tea proves particularly beneficial in preventing blossom end rot, a common problem for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Calcium Boost for Specific Plants: Plants such as cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard, and amaranth, which require higher levels of calcium, benefit greatly from eggshell tea.
Creating eggshell tea is an easy and cost-effective process. Every eggshell contains approximately 2.2 grams of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate, twice the daily calcium requirement for an adult.
To harness these nutrients, follow these simple steps:
1. Clean and dry 10 to 20 eggshells (use 2 to 3 eggshells for potted plants).
2. Crush the eggshells into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, rolling pin, or food processor.
3. Boil the crushed eggshells in a gallon of water at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Strain the water.
6. Use a spray bottle or watering can to apply the tea close to the base of the plants, directly on the soil.
7. Repeat the application weekly or every two weeks for optimal results.
Additional Tips:
If making eggshell tea feels overwhelming, you can simply crush the eggshells and mix them into the soil or sprinkle the residue in your flower beds.
Adjust the amount of eggshells used based on the volume of water for potted plants.
Collect eggshells throughout winter for spring tea preparations, ensuring proper cleaning and drying before storage.
Avoid using eggshells in compost, as they can rot and introduce diseases to the soil and your crops.
Some gardeners enhance the potency of eggshell tea by adding coffee grounds during the brewing process.
In conclusion, creating eggshell tea is a breeze, and your plants will love this organic elixir. By rejuvenating the soil and enhancing fruit and vegetable quality, eggshell tea proves to be an inexpensive and effective garden remedy. Get ready to witness visible results and savor the sublime taste of your produce. So, go ahead, enjoy a cup of tea while you brew your eggshell tea and witness the wonders it brings to your garden.
