Content
- 1 Is it possible to feed tomatoes with eggshells?
- 2 Composition and benefits of the shell
- 3 Signs of calcium deficiency in tomatoes
- 4 Preparation and storage of raw materials
- 5 Methods of application
- 6 How to feed tomatoes with eggshells
- 7 Common mistakes
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews about feeding tomatoes with eggshells
Eggshells for tomatoes as a complex mineral fertilizer help to significantly reduce costs, and also allow you to grow strong, healthy seedlings that can produce a good harvest. But in order for fertilizing based on this component to bring maximum benefit to plants, you need to know how to use it correctly and in what quantity.
Egg shells can replace complex mineral fertilizer
Is it possible to feed tomatoes with eggshells?
This component is excellent for feeding tomatoes. Its peculiarity is that it can reduce acidity, and this is extremely important for the nightshade crop. Indeed, for the full development of tomato bushes, alkaline or neutral soil within the pH range of 6-6.8 is suitable.
In addition, such fertilizing helps prevent the development of blossom end rot. This is due to the high calcium content in it.This component is also actively involved in the process of photosynthesis, ensuring the saturation of plant tissues with oxygen, which is important for feeding seedlings during the period of active growth of green mass.
Composition and benefits of the shell
Eggshells contain up to 90% calcium. In addition, it contains phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and sulfur. All these substances are present in optimal proportions, which allows for the full development of tomatoes at an early stage of development.
Eggshells also contain the following microelements:
- manganese;
- iodine;
- cobalt;
- fluorine;
- potassium.
This natural component is useful not only as a top dressing for tomatoes, but also serves as a leavening agent on heavy loamy soils, which promotes the development of a powerful root system. It also helps fight slugs and snails in the area, and prevents fungal diseases from affecting tomatoes.
Signs of calcium deficiency in tomatoes
Excess nutrition, as well as deficiency, has a negative impact on plant development. Therefore, you need to use eggshells to feed tomatoes when characteristic signs of calcium deficiency appear in the soil.
Among them:
- the tops of the shoots dry out;
- the leaves curl and become dark green;
- the bushes develop symptoms of chlorosis;
- the root system branches excessively;
- shallowing of young plates is observed.
The component should be used in doses to feed tomatoes. If it is used excessively, plants stop absorbing iron and manganese, which negatively affects the development of bushes in the future.
Excess calcium in the soil is more dangerous for tomatoes than its lack.
Preparation and storage of raw materials
To feed vegetables, you can collect shells throughout the season. In this case, both homemade and store-bought eggs are suitable. However, experienced gardeners recommend collecting dark shells, since they contain more nutritional components for plants than white ones.
In order for the fertilizer to be stored for a long time, it must be prepared in advance. To do this, you need to wash the inside of the eggshell under running water using an old toothbrush. It is also recommended to remove film and possible protein residues. If this is not done, then over time an unpleasant, persistent odor will appear. Next you need to dry it well.
Egg shells must be stored in crushed form. To obtain the powder, you can use a meat grinder, coffee grinder, masher, or put it in a fabric bag and tap it with a hammer. The resulting mixture must be poured into a container. But it is not recommended to close the lid tightly so that the fertilizer can breathe and not spoil. It is recommended to store in a dry place at room temperature.
This fertilizer should not be stored in polyethylene or plastic bags.
Methods of application
You can feed tomato seedlings with dry shells or prepare an infusion based on them. In the second case, it is necessary to follow the rules for preparing the product, which guarantees its beneficial properties for tomatoes.
Procedure:
- Pour egg powder from 5-6 shells into a container.
- Pour 1 liter of boiling water over the mixture.
- Leave for a week in a dark place, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the infusion.
The resulting fertilizer will be cloudy and have a specific smell, which is normal.Before feeding tomato seedlings, the infusion based on eggshells should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:4.
How to feed tomatoes with eggshells
It is best to fertilize tomatoes with this component during the period of seedling growth, as well as during the active growing season, until the bushes begin to bloom. In the future, experienced gardeners do not recommend using it, as this may negatively affect fruit set.
Feeding tomato seedlings with eggshells
You can initially use egg shells for tomato seedlings as drainage when sowing seeds. This helps prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil due to improper watering, and also reduces the likelihood of seedlings being damaged by blackleg.
In the future, it is recommended to use fertilizer two weeks after the appearance of friendly shoots. In this case, fertilizing should be done in slightly moist soil so as not to burn the roots of the plants. You can feed tomato seedlings every 14 days using a nutritious infusion.
Feeding tomatoes with eggshells in a greenhouse
You can also fertilize tomatoes with eggshells in a greenhouse. In case of high acidity, it should be added at the stage of soil preparation at the rate of 2 tbsp. powder per 1 sq. m area. After this, the soil must be thoroughly loosened and its surface leveled.
Tomato feeding in a greenhouse can also be done directly when planting seedlings. To do this, powder based on eggshells must be poured into each well, 2 tbsp. l. and mix thoroughly with soil. In the future, this fertilizer can be used only when signs of calcium deficiency appear in the soil.
This fertilizer has a prolonged effect
Common mistakes
Often, incorrect use of eggshells for feeding tomatoes leads to serious problems. Therefore, to prevent this, you need to familiarize yourself with the most common mistakes:
- Tomato infection by fungal diseases after fertilizing. This occurs when the component is not properly prepared. Protein residues on the shell are a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora, which, once in the soil, actively multiply.
- Dropping flowers. Excessive use of fertilizer leads to calcium accumulation in the soil. This leads to the death of the tops of the shoots, shedding of leaves and flowers. In this case, it is recommended to increase the acidity of the soil.
Conclusion
Eggshells for tomatoes can only be beneficial if used correctly. Therefore, before applying fertilizer, you need to study how to prepare the shell and become familiar with the features of fertilizing.
Reviews about feeding tomatoes with eggshells
