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#1
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Egg shells as plant food
Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for
plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB |
#2
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Egg shells as plant food
On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:02:41 -0800 (PST), Higgs Boson
wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Eggshells are chiefly calcium. Dry 'em (poss toss them into the ovenafter you've pulled out supper and let them coast on the residual heat), crumble them up, then sprinkle around the base of plants which have higher calcium demands (tomatoes and cucumbers for instance). I honestly don't go through the hassle myself - I just add them to the composter with green matter from the ktichen (but never meat/dairy), or feed them back to my chickens (who take up the calcium for producing eggshells - though their lay mix has oyster shell in it for the same purpose). |
#3
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Egg shells as plant food
On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:
Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
#4
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Egg shells as plant food
In article ,
"David E. Ross" wrote: On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Alkaline (high pH = bacterial), with in limits, is good for a vegetable garden, and acidity (low pH = fungi) is good for perennial plants. We are basically talking about a pH of 5 to a pH of 8 for all types of gardens from perennial to annual. As far as egg shells go, they are a real slow release. So the question is how long will you be cultivating this earth? If a long time, add eggshells. If you are leaving this residence soon, you'd probably get more bang for your buck from the gypsum. -- Billy E Pluribus Unum Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron. - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 16 April 1953 "Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini. |
#5
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Egg shells as plant food
Toss 'em in the compost and be done with it. Chief value is for calcium, which is something all plants need in moderation.
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#6
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Egg shells as plant food
On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:28:22 -0800, "David E. Ross"
wrote: On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Gypsum and calcium don't "tend" to be neutral, they *are* neutral. Egg shells are neutral too. Eggshells are NOT alkaline nor do they make soil alkaline. However one would need to add an awful lot of eggshells to derive a benefit. It's far better to apply gardening lime, granular lime works best and is much easier to apply evenly. If one desires add your eggshells to your composter, but be aware that eggshells take a very long time to break down. And unless eggshells are scrupulously cleaned the proteins clinging to the interior will attract vermin. Putting eggshells in the garden does more harm than good. http://www.struykturf.com/Soil.html |
#7
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Egg shells as plant food
Brooklyn1 wrote:
On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:28:22 -0800, "David E. Ross" wrote: On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Gypsum and calcium don't "tend" to be neutral, they *are* neutral. Gypsum is roughly neutral yes. I don't know what you mean by 'calcium' in this case as you surely would not have metallic calcium and the degree of alkalinity would depend on the salt of calcium. For example calcium hydroxide (builder's lime) is more alkaline that calcium carbonate (garden lime). Egg shells are neutral too. Eggshells are NOT alkaline nor do they make soil alkaline. No. Once the adhering protein is gone egg shells are mainly calcium carbonate the same as garden lime, they have some protein bound into the structure of the shell but not much. The difference is the speed that they dissolve. Lime is usually ground quite finely and it will dissolve much quicker (and therefore raise the pH quicker ) than eggshells which are in big chunks. However one would need to add an awful lot of eggshells to derive a benefit. It's far better to apply gardening lime, granular lime works best and is much easier to apply evenly. True, this is the key point. Unless you have a lot of chooks and grind up the shells finely it will take an eon to do very much if anything at all. If one desires add your eggshells to your composter, but be aware that eggshells take a very long time to break down. And unless eggshells are scrupulously cleaned the proteins clinging to the interior will attract vermin. Putting eggshells in the garden does more harm than good. I doubt it. A few ants in the compost don't matter. I put eggshells in the compost not because I want to lime my garden but to get rid of them conveniently and because they do no harm. D |
#8
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Egg shells as plant food
On Jan 29, 2:41*pm, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Brooklyn1 wrote: On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:28:22 -0800, "David E. Ross" wrote: On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. *I don't remember more. *I kept the container on the side steps. *NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? *If yes, *then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. *Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Gypsum and calcium don't "tend" to be neutral, they *are* neutral. Gypsum is roughly neutral yes. *I don't know what you mean by 'calcium' in this case as you surely would not have metallic calcium and the degree of alkalinity would depend on the salt of calcium. *For example calcium hydroxide (builder's lime) is more alkaline that calcium carbonate (garden lime). Egg shells are neutral too. *Eggshells are NOT alkaline nor do they make soil alkaline. No. *Once the adhering protein is gone egg shells are mainly calcium carbonate the same as garden lime, they have some protein bound into the structure of the shell but not much. *The difference is the speed that they dissolve. *Lime is usually ground quite finely and it will dissolve much quicker (and therefore raise the pH quicker ) than eggshells which are in big chunks. However one would need to add an awful lot of eggshells to derive a benefit. *It's far better to apply gardening lime, granular lime works best and is much easier to apply evenly. True, this is the key point. *Unless you have a lot of chooks and grind up the shells finely it will take an eon to do very much if anything at all. If one desires add your eggshells to your composter, but be aware that eggshells take a very long time to break down. *And unless eggshells are scrupulously cleaned the proteins clinging to the interior will attract vermin. *Putting eggshells in the garden does more harm than good. I doubt it. *A few ants in the compost don't matter. *I put eggshells in the compost not because I want to lime my garden but to get rid of them conveniently and because they do no harm. D Thanks, everybody. Project hereby abandoned. Appreciate the wisdom. HB |
#9
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Egg shells as plant food
Higgs Boson wrote:
Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. for me recycling eggshells wasn't worth the added expense. a bag of agricultural lime ran about $6.50 for 50lbs. at the rate i use it that should keep me a good 20 years or so. songbird |
#10
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Egg shells as plant food
On 1/30/12 4:13 AM, songbird wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. for me recycling eggshells wasn't worth the added expense. a bag of agricultural lime ran about $6.50 for 50lbs. at the rate i use it that should keep me a good 20 years or so. songbird You live where the soil is acidic. I live where both the soil and water are alkaline. At least once each year, I broadcast soil sulfur around certain plants such as camellias, roses, a liquidambar tree, an Australian tea tree, and a gardenia. On the other hand, my bearded iris, primroses, and cheddar pinks (dianthus) thrive with the alkalinity. Agricultural lime is hard to find in my area. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
#11
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Egg shells as plant food
"David E. Ross" wrote:
songbird wrote: Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. for me recycling eggshells wasn't worth the added expense. a bag of agricultural lime ran about $6.50 for 50lbs. at the rate i use it that should keep me a good 20 years or so. songbird Agricultural lime is hard to find in my area. That's utter nonsense... agri lime is sold at every plant nursery in the US, everywhere that sells lawn maintence and farming products sells agri lime... not to mention all over the internet. Where's this secretive area you live... in your lonely drug crazed fantasy world... you're being ridiculous and dishonest. |
#12
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Egg shells as plant food
On Jan 30, 7:13*am, songbird wrote:
Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. *I don't remember more. *I kept the container on the side steps. *NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? *If yes, *then on which plants and how often. * for me recycling eggshells wasn't worth the added expense. *a bag of agricultural lime ran about $6.50 for 50lbs. *at the rate i use it that should keep me a good 20 years or so. * songbird Dolomitic lime adds calcium and magnesium, plus helps to keep pH levels stable. Eggshells have the most benefit with vermicomposting, keeps the crew healthy. |
#13
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Egg shells as plant food
On Jan 28, 10:28*pm, "David E. Ross" wrote:
On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. *I don't remember more. *I kept the container on the side steps. *NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? *If yes, *then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. *Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Drywall scraps are a cheap, if not free, source. |
#14
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Egg shells as plant food
On Jan 30, 10:11*am, "David E. Ross" wrote:
On 1/30/12 4:13 AM, songbird wrote: Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. *I don't remember more. *I kept the container on the side steps. *NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? *If yes, *then on which plants and how often. * for me recycling eggshells wasn't worth the added expense. *a bag of agricultural lime ran about $6.50 for 50lbs. *at the rate i use it that should keep me a good 20 years or so. * songbird You live where the soil is acidic. *I live where both the soil and water are alkaline. No, it was originally alkaline; good old California adobe. However, it has been modified over many decades by the previous owner and myself, so it's pretty well balanced by now. HB At least once each year, I broadcast soil sulfur around certain plants such as camellias, roses, a liquidambar tree, an Australian tea tree, and a gardenia. *On the other hand, my bearded iris, primroses, and cheddar pinks (dianthus) thrive with the alkalinity. *Agricultural lime is hard to find in my area. -- David E. Ross Climate: *California Mediterranean, see http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary |
#15
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Egg shells as plant food
Father Haskell wrote:
On Jan 28, 10:28 pm, "David E. Ross" wrote: On 1/28/12 4:02 PM, Higgs Boson wrote: Amigas & amigos, years ago I read that eggshell water is good for plants. I don't remember more. I kept the container on the side steps. NEVER smelled anything like the odor emanating from the water- immersed egg shells. Now I started saving them again, but before I concoct yet another witches brew, could I sample the NG as to the usefulness/efficacy of this project? If yes, then on which plants and how often. TIA HB Egg shells tend to make soil more alkaline. Where I live, this is definitely not a good thing since both our soils and our water already are quite alkaline. For calcium, I use gypsum (calcium sulfate), which tends to be neutral. Drywall scraps are a cheap, if not free, source. Which you then have to grind up somehow or wait for ages. Gypsum isn't expensive. D |
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