Most people crack their eggs and immediately throw the shells away. But gardeners have found a simple way to reuse this kitchen waste: eggshell water.
Eggshells are composed largely of calcium carbonate, along with small amounts of other minerals. While boiling doesn’t turn the water into a powerful complete fertilizer, it can be a practical way to reuse eggshells and return small amounts of minerals to your garden.
Calcium is an essential plant nutrient. It contributes to cell-wall development, healthy new growth, and normal plant structure.
Plants such as tomatoes and peppers are particularly well known for developing problems when calcium cannot reach developing fruit properly.
However, adding eggshells isn’t an instant cure for calcium-related problems. For example, blossom-end rot in tomatoes is often associated with inconsistent watering and problems with calcium uptake rather than simply a lack of calcium in the soil.
How to Make Boiled Eggshell Water
It’s incredibly simple.
Collect the shells from approximately 6–10 eggs and rinse them to remove remaining egg residue.
Crush them into smaller pieces and place them in a pot of water.
Bring the water to a boil and let the shells simmer for around 10–15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow the shells to sit in the water as it cools. You can leave the mixture for several hours or overnight.
Strain the liquid and make sure it has completely cooled before using it around plants.
How to Use It in the Garden
Pour the cooled eggshell water around the soil near your plants rather than directly over the foliage.
You can use it occasionally around:
