How to CORRECTLY Extract Calcium from Egg Shells for Healthy Plants

Summary

In this video, the host explains how to use eggshells to provide calcium for plants, a key nutrient for healthy growth, especially for tomatoes. Four methods are discussed: 1) Crushing eggshells and placing them directly in the soil (which takes years), 2) Composting eggshells (also slow), 3) Using vinegar to break down calcium carbonate, making it water-soluble for plants, and 4) Allowing chickens to process the eggshells, creating nutrient-rich manure. The video highlights the benefits and practical advice for gardeners looking to improve soil health and plant growth naturally.

Takeaways

• 😀 Calcium is essential for plant growth, especially for tomatoes, to prevent blossom end rot and other issues with fruits and vegetables.
• 😀 Crushed eggshells are often used to add calcium to the soil, but this method can take 2 to 5 years to become effective.
• 😀 Eggshells contain calcium carbonate, which is not easily water-soluble, making it slow for plants to absorb.
• 😀 To make calcium in eggshells available to plants more quickly, it needs to be converted into a water-soluble form.
• 😀 A common method to break down eggshells is to mix them with vinegar, which is acidic and reacts with the alkaline calcium carbonate.
• 😀 The correct ratio for mixing eggshells and vinegar is approximately 2:1, but it's not critical for smaller batches.
• 😀 After mixing, the reaction between vinegar and eggshells releases carbon dioxide bubbles, indicating the breakdown of calcium carbonate.
• 😀 Once the bubbles stop, the solution is ready for use and can be diluted before adding to plants as a liquid fertilizer.
• 😀 Another method for breaking down eggshells is using chickens, which naturally process the calcium through digestion.
• 😀 Chicken poop, once composted, is an excellent fertilizer that provides not only calcium but also nitrogen and other nutrients.
• 😀 Using chickens for this process is more efficient than mixing eggshells with vinegar, as it involves less work and provides additional nutrients for the soil.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using eggshells for plants?

Eggshells are used for plants to provide calcium, which is essential for plant growth, particularly in preventing blossom end rot in tomatoes and other vegetables.

Why does crushing and placing eggshells directly in the ground not provide immediate calcium to plants?

Crushing eggshells and placing them directly in the ground doesn't provide immediate calcium because the calcium in eggshells is in the form of calcium carbonate, which is not water-soluble. It can take up to five years for the calcium to break down and become available for plants.

How long does it typically take for calcium from eggshells to become available to plants?

It can take a minimum of two years, and possibly up to five years, for the calcium from eggshells to become available to plants.

What is the first method discussed for getting calcium from eggshells, and why is it not effective right away?

The first method discussed is crushing the eggshells and placing them directly in the ground. This method is not effective immediately because the calcium carbonate in eggshells breaks down slowly and is not water-soluble, which means it takes years to be accessible to plants.

How does composting eggshells help provide calcium to plants?

Composting eggshells helps break them down, but it still takes time. It may take up to two to five years for the eggshells in compost to fully decompose and release calcium in a form that plants can absorb.

What is the third method mentioned for making calcium in eggshells more available to plants?

The third method involves mixing crushed eggshells with vinegar. The vinegar, being acidic, reacts with the alkaline calcium carbonate, making the calcium more available and water-soluble for plants.

Why is vinegar used to break down the calcium in eggshells?

Vinegar is used because it is acidic, and when combined with the alkaline calcium carbonate in eggshells, it causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the calcium, making it more soluble in water and accessible to plants.

What is the recommended ratio of eggshells to vinegar when using the third method?

The recommended ratio is about two parts eggshells to one part vinegar, although the precise ratio can vary. The calcium carbonate is twice as dense as vinegar, so this balance is needed for an effective reaction.

What is the advantage of using chickens to process eggshells for plant calcium?

Using chickens is the best method for processing eggshells because they digest the calcium from the eggshells, and the calcium then passes through their system. The resulting chicken manure, when composted, provides much more nutrients than the eggshells alone, including nitrogen and other macronutrients, making it a highly effective natural fertilizer.

How does the use of chickens complete the cycle on a homestead?

Chickens help complete the homestead cycle by eating the leftover eggshells, producing eggs, and providing manure that can be composted into a valuable fertilizer for plants. This process minimizes waste and enhances the soil quality, making chickens an essential part of a self-sustaining homestead.