Using eggs to start tomato plants

[Hen_House_Rocks!]

Chicks N Horses: That is so cute!!! I command thee to tell me what you are growing!

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

What a fantastic idea !!

 

[isa25]

Well now I know that this is not just a myth!! My tomatoes did sooo bad this year with A LOT of blossom rot!!

I am definitely doing this next year!!!

Any helpful tips on corn--Mine were full of worms this year too! I've never had such a rotten season for veggies!!

 

[muddstopper]

Calcium (Ca)saturation in the soil needs to be around 70% and most southeasten and many Northern soils are already deficient in calcium. Egg shells are almost pure calcium carbonate (CaCO3) so I can see where adding the shells directly under the plant would help with whatever crop you are trying to grow. Epson salt is Magnesium Sulfate, (MgSO4) Magnesium (Mg)saturation should be around 12%. Not all soils can benefit from the addition of the extra Magnesium. Sulfates (SO4)are easily leached from the soil but are also needed in amounts close to or equal to the amount of Phosphorous (P), ( the middle number on a bag of fertilizer and is measured as P2O5), that is needed in the soil. Sulfur (S) is necessary for amino acid production and the efficient use of Nitrogen( N the first number on a bag of fertilizer). Potassium (K) and is measured as K2O, is the third number on a fertilizer bag. For those that need the sulfur you can buy Potasium sulfate (K2OSO4)instead of Magnesium sulfate. Or just add elemental sulfur (S). One lb of S is equal to 3lbs of SO4.

compost and manures are excellent sources of K and S, as well as N and also P depending on the compost and manure source. Altho I recommend composting the manures before using as they can also be great host for many unwanted pathogens. Use with eggshells for your calcium and you can grow a great crop without the need to purchase chemical fetilizers. groundup chicken bones and feathers also provide a good source of calcium as well as Phosphorous. Just crush them up and add to your compost pile.

 

[StupidBird]

The instructions I followed called for baking the eggshells too. First year with no blossom end rot under the plants I added a handful of baked/browned crushed eggshells when setting out.
Saving up eggshells did get rather smelly. I'll rinse them next time, or bake more often. The baking was said to improve breakdown.
Now if only I could so easily fix the bird, slug, stinkbug, disease problems!

So cute to plant the shells! I see marigold, begonias, creeping jenny, and is that moss or lettuce seedlings? I remember doing that in little grade school. so cute

 

[isa25]

WOW

Mudstopper you really know your... ummm...dirt!?!

Thanks so much for all the great info!!!