What is egg shell fertiliser?
Egg shell fertiliser is, simply, fertiliser made using egg shells. Egg shells contain high levels of calcium (lime) as well as other nutrients, so are beneficial to most plants. With billions of eggs produced commercially each year, attention is turning to the use of egg shells as a fertiliser and particularly as a source of lime. Currently, lime for agricultural and horticultural use is derived from mined limestone, so an alternative that would reduce the extraction of finite natural resources would be more sustainable and better for the environment. Some studies have already been carried out on the practicality and effectiveness of turning egg shells into fertiliser – a process that requires washing, baking and then grinding the egg shells to a fine powder.
Research on the commercial scale of this subject is ongoing. However, it’s possible to make this type of fertiliser at home by baking egg shells in the oven and then crushing them manually using a pestle and mortar. Recycling egg shells in the garden is a great way to reduce food waste while providing nutrients to plants. Bear in mind that, in such small quantities, it’s unlikely your home-made egg shell fertiliser would make a significant impact on plants.
How do egg shells benefit plants?Egg shells are principally made up of calcium, in the form of calcium carbonate, which is better known to gardeners as lime. A typical egg shell contains just over 2g of calcium, which makes up 95 per cent of the shell. Other beneficial nutrients and minerals contained in small quantities are phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese. As a plant food, egg shells are therefore perfect for lime-loving plants such as brassicas, but are
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