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compost and eggshells
I compost most kitchen scraps except for dairy, meat and fats. For a
long time I would include eggshells. I would try to break the shells into smaller pieces either in the kitchen or once in the compost pile. I seldom turn my compost except when harvesting some so it is slow not fast. The egg shells don't seem to break down at all so I have stopped adding them. USA Zone 7 A/B (right on the border in NC) if it matters. QUESTIONS: - Am I missing much by no longer adding the shells to the value of the general compost? - I have always planted above ground crops so far in my very small raised bed garden. If I plant things like carrots, onions or potatoes is there a chance small bits of egg shells in the soil will embed themselves in the vegetables? - any value in segregating egg shells into their own compost pile and if so where would it best be used? Thanks in advance for any insights. Brian |
#2
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compost and eggshells
On Feb 2, 10:45*am, Fvert wrote:
I compost most kitchen scraps except for dairy, meat and fats. For a long time I would include eggshells. I would try to break the shells into smaller pieces either in the kitchen or once in the compost pile. I seldom turn my compost except when harvesting some so it is slow not fast. The egg shells don't seem to break down at all so I have stopped adding them. USA Zone 7 A/B (right on the border in NC) if it matters. QUESTIONS: - Am I missing much by no longer adding the shells to the value of the general compost? - I have always planted above ground crops so far in my very small raised bed garden. If I plant things like carrots, onions or potatoes is there a chance small bits of egg shells in the soil will embed themselves in the vegetables? - any value in segregating egg shells into their own compost pile and if so where would it best be used? Thanks in advance for any insights. Brian This was just discussed on rec.garden if you can get to that. There are 22 posts so you can imagine that there are conflicting opinions MJ |
#3
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compost and eggshells
In article
, " wrote: This was just discussed on rec.garden if you can get to that. There are 22 posts so you can imagine that there are conflicting opinions I don't normally subscribe to that group but will check it out. Thanks. Brian |
#4
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compost and eggshells
On Feb 2, 9:45 am, Fvert wrote:
I compost most kitchen scraps except for dairy, meat and fats. For a long time I would include eggshells. I would try to break the shells into smaller pieces either in the kitchen or once in the compost pile. I seldom turn my compost except when harvesting some so it is slow not fast. The egg shells don't seem to break down at all so I have stopped adding them. USA Zone 7 A/B (right on the border in NC) if it matters. QUESTIONS: - Am I missing much by no longer adding the shells to the value of the general compost? - I have always planted above ground crops so far in my very small raised bed garden. If I plant things like carrots, onions or potatoes is there a chance small bits of egg shells in the soil will embed themselves in the vegetables? - any value in segregating egg shells into their own compost pile and if so where would it best be used? Thanks in advance for any insights. Brian Andy writes: I also use raised beds. When I have meat scraps, I just dig a little hole about a foot deep, and bury them in the beds. Then I put a brick or stone over the covered hole so the dog won't dig there, and I know where the meat is buried...... Eggshells are the same....... One doesn't need to "compost" meat scraps. Eventually, a foot underground, they will rot and ferment or whatever, and the nutrients will promote worms, bacteria, and nitrogen. In the spring, I transplant my tomato seedlings on top of each buried trove...... I do the same for squirrel and rabbit offal, after I have dressed them out and put the good parts in the freezer. I bury both offal and fur in the hole. My garden produces well...... The biggest problem I have is Lollypop's sense of smell. She knows something stinky is buried and wants to dig it up. So I have to put some sort of cover on it, brick or big rock, to discourage her. An alternative is to lay some fencing material over it, like a small section of chain link, that she can't dig thru, but can be easily removed later when I need to plant. So far, it works well....... Andy in Eureka, Texas |
#5
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compost and eggshells
http://www.aces.edu/timelyinfo/Ag%20...er/s-05-05.pdf "Coarsely crushed eggshells are relatively ineffective as a soil liming material or as a source of calcium. Although the sample used in this study had a total neutralizing value of 59% of pure calcium carbonate, it had to be very finely ground in order to be effective at increasing soil pH. Broken egg- shells can be safely land applied. Nitrogen from protein residues in eggshells and possibly other nutrients will eventually add to the fertility of the soil. Except for nitrogen, this will probably be a*very slow process. Therefore, unless shells are mechanically ground at least as finely as ground agricultural limestone, they should not be used as a substitute for conventional soil liming materials. However, we do not suspect any negative effect from their application to the soil." Also:http://www.aces.edu/timelyinfo/Ag%20...er/s-05-05.pdf |
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