DIY Liquid Calcium Acetate (Eggshells) Natural Fertilizer
I know some people will process their eggshells with a vinegar solution to make a natural liquid fertilizer. It is supposed to be one of the best ways of breaking down that calcium carbonate bond and making it useable for the plants now. If something like that is interesting to you, I got this info on the process you can do at home.
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Yes, that is true! When eggshells are combined with vinegar, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down the calcium carbonate in the eggshells and releases calcium into the liquid as calcium acetate. Here's how it works:
- Chemical Reaction:
- Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
- Vinegar is an acid, containing acetic acid (CH₃COOH).
- When eggshells are soaked in vinegar, the acid reacts with the calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas (the bubbles you see), water, and soluble calcium acetate.
- Steps to Extract Calcium:
- Crush the eggshells to increase surface area.
- Place them in a container and cover them with vinegar.
- Let the mixture sit for 24-72 hours, stirring occasionally. You'll notice bubbling as the reaction occurs.
- Once the bubbling stops, the reaction is complete, and the liquid will contain calcium acetate, which is bioavailable to plants.
- Uses:
- The calcium-rich liquid can be diluted with water and used as a natural fertilizer for plants, helping improve soil calcium levels and plant growth.
This method is a great way to repurpose eggshells into a nutrient source for gardening! If you'd like detailed instructions or tips for using the liquid fertilizer, let me know.
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I have read about this DIY process for eggshells into natural liquid fertilizer for a few years. I personally have never done it. If anyone has used this process to make liquid fertilizer, please let us know if it was worth the time and effort compared to just tossing crushed eggshells into the chicken run for the chickens to eat at will. Thanks.