Rooted & Radiant
Guide· Outdoor Gardening 2 min

Will Eggshells Give Your Plants Calcium?

The truth about using eggshells in the garden and what they can (and cannot) fix.

SeriesKitchen Scraps in the Garden: Myths, Truths and Better Ways to Use Them· Part 2

Eggshells do contain calcium, but they are not an instant calcium treatment. Large shell pieces can remain in the soil for a very long time before breaking down. Rinsing, drying, and grinding the shells into a fine powder gives them more surface area, but they should still be viewed as a slow soil addition. Eggshells also will not quickly fix blossom-end rot on tomatoes or peppers. That problem is often connected to inconsistent watering or the plant being unable to move calcium properly—not simply a lack of eggshells in the soil. Eggshells may support the soil over time, but they are not emergency plant medicine.

Have you ever ground eggshells for your garden?

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