What did you do in the garden today?

[gtaus]

What about when your water is liquid rock? GH of over 300, KH around 200. Is the calcium in hard water not an available form? I've never considered the fact that it may not be bio available. I don't usually have end rot on most varieties of fruit. Sometimes though.

I don't claim to be an expert; I'm just reading these articles on the benefits of using eggshells to increase calcium for my plants. I suspect that calcium in hard water is bioavailable to the plants. However, in eggshells, that calcium is tied up in a calcium carbonate bond that needs to break before the plants can feed off that calcium from the eggshells.

A number of years ago I had a problem with blossom end rot on my tomatoes. As much as 50% of my tomatoes had blossom end rot. I learned that it was due to a calcium deficiency, but environmental factors also play a big role in the calcium uptake. Inconsistent watering, being the first cause listed for that blossom end rot situation. At that time, I was growing my plants in a garden that had no running water, so everything was depending on natural rainfall. I guess you would consider that not a consistent method of watering the garden, which probably resulted in reduced calcium uptake and more blossom end rot.

Since then, I have moved my gardening to my backyard and have access to my house water for a sprinkler system. Also, I got more into making chicken run compost and I think that has the improved my soil in the raised beds more than anything. I now use the hügelkultur method in my raised beds and I think the large water log batteries in the base of the raised beds helps to more consistently feed my plants. Since I have made all those changes, I rarely see blossom end rot anymore, although not 100% eliminated, I would say maybe 95%, or more, free of blossom end rot.

I am constantly adding sulphur and iron to get the pH of my soil down below 8.... It's a nightmare and a half but I have managed to keep ph near 7 with compost, sulphur and peat. I use the epsoma soil acidifier on my berries every fall.

I use lots of chicken run compost in my raised beds. Compost is supposed to have a pH around 7.0, give or take. I have not checked the pH of my beds. However, my plants are growing tall and strong, producing lots of food. If I had a problem, I would probably check the soil pH in each bed. But I'm just a hack gardener, doing what seems to work for me. None of my plants require special pH levels, so I just leave them alone and they seem to grow well.

 

[Nym]

 

[Acre4Me]

We toss egg shells in the compost - not very well crushed up. We definitely see egg shells as we scoop finished compost into the wheelbarrow. I just figure that it can’t hurt and it’s better than throwing them out.

A few years ago we had a lot of oyster shell - somehow we had 4-5 large bags (40 ? Pounds each). So, I scattered a couple bags over the garden beds. Since I have around 2000 sq ft of beds, it wasn’t a heavy application.

Bc I don’t want to increase the pH of my beds I had also opted to add gypsum to my garden beds as I was having a definite issue with blossom end rot at the beginning of my years of gardening here. Probably a heavier application than the oyster shell.

The water line to the frost free pump by the garden is unfiltered well water, and we have hard water. So, I’ll guess some calcium, and definitely iron in the water.

A couple years ago had a soil test done. Calcium is pretty high. Is it bioavailable? I don’t know how much of it is bioavailability as the soil test just tests for calcium not bioavailability. But, with calcium coming from 4 sources (egg shells, oyster shell, gypsum, and hard water) and a lack of blossom end rot, some of it must be bioavailable. Hopefully, it’s not hindering uptake of other good stuff.

 

[Molpet]

What about when your water is liquid rock? GH of over 300, KH around 200. Is the calcium in hard water not an available form? I've never considered the fact that it may not be bio available. I don't usually have end rot on most varieties of fruit. Sometimes though.


I am constantly adding sulphur and iron to get the pH of my soil down below 8.... It's a nightmare and a half but I have managed to keep ph near 7 with compost, sulphur and peat. I use the epsoma soil acidifier on my berries every fall.

I was reading about calcium supplements for humans decades ago because my mom took a lot and was having calcification of heart.

At that time, an article said some countries calcium in the water was the main source. Her well water tasted horrible unless filtered, so she wasn't getting any from there.


Later I read they were finding older people had trouble using the ingredients in supplements and getting nutrients from food was more useful.

 

[Acre4Me]

One Apricot tree is just beginning to bloom. I took this pic last night and this morning a few are opened. The other two (different varieties) aren’t quite to this point yet.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I do not put much time or effort into my eggshells. I just let them dry out for a few days, put them in an empty bread bad, and then step on it a number of times to crush them to small pieces.

I imagine using a grinder to powder the eggshells would be better to release the calcium, so good for those of you who do the extra work.



Yeah, intact eggshells taking up to centuries surprised me as well. Even if you don't bake and powder your eggshells, you should probably break them up into smaller pieces before tossing them into the compost bin - if you expect any benefit in your lifetime from adding the eggshells to the compost.



I don't think the sharp pointy edges will deter all insect pests. I read that it will help to deter crawling pests such as slugs and snails, but not so effective against ants or larger insects.



I had not considered that possibility. So, I had to ask the Microsoft Copilot AI that question. Turns out it's not much of a concern, so you should be able to use crushed eggshells in your compost or gardens if you want. Here is the response I got from the AI inquiry on eggshells messing with worms and worm movement. I hope it helps.

******************
Eggshells generally don't interfere with worms or their movement, especially when crushed into small pieces. In fact, worms can benefit from eggshells in composting setups. Here's why:

Worm Interaction with Eggshells:​

1. Calcium Source: Eggshells provide calcium, which supports worm health and aids in the breakdown of organic matter in compost.
2. Grinding Aid: Worms have gizzards (muscular stomachs) that use grit to break down food. Finely crushed eggshells can act as grit to help worms process food more effectively.
3. Size Matters: Large, sharp pieces of eggshells might be mildly inconvenient for worms to maneuver around, but they won't cause harm. Crushing the shells into finer pieces is always a good idea.

Worm Movement:​

Worms are highly adaptable and can easily move through soil or compost, even when eggshells are present. If the eggshells are well-incorporated into the compost or garden bed, they won't pose a barrier or impede worm activity.


So not only are eggshells unlikely to mess with worms, but they can even enhance the environment for them! Let me know if you're setting up a vermicomposting system—I’d be happy to offer more tips.
**********************
Sounds like eggshells are fine with worms and worm movement. Actually, providing many benefits.



I have a separate calcium feeder for my chickens. I have dumped crushed eggshells into that feeder, but mostly I just mix my eggshells pieces into the chicken scratch that I toss into the chicken run in the morning. In any case, if you can get the chickens to eat some of those eggshells, that would be the faster way to get the calcium to breakdown.



That is interesting. I am glad it worked for you. That is not one of the crushed eggshell benefits that is mentioned in the articles I have read. Maybe you are on to something new?

Thanks for all the great responses to using eggshells for the chickens and/or gardening. I think eggshells can be a great benefit ot the health of both your chickens and garden soil. Don't toss them into the garbage. Recycle them at home and enjoy the benefits.

good to know,,,, I do dry them and give them to the hens-- I just rinse them, and dry them in the oven on low, crush them and save them in a jar--Remember in 2021 when you couldnt get oyster shell--
I do, do liquid fertilizer,, they dont do much in the jug,, jut sink to the bottom, so I dont put then in any more

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I am going to buy an apple and peach tree to plant. yesterday I was given 2 old heat resistant varieties of tomato seedlings and white eggplant. so I'll be busy today.

Thats wonderful!! fruit trees are so nice.
My sister in-law and her family live in Athens- been there for ?50yrs her husband was a Crete. They had a restaurant for years and now their sons have it in a new building.
Last name Tsapatakis, at the moment I don't remember what my nephews call it now, maybe Evans, but I think their dad Andras, when he bought it it was Evangelos.
( I found it!! Evans Taverna,,, Afroditis 57, Paleo Faliro 175 61, Greece,, thats my Nephews ) https://www.facebook.com/evans.taverna/photos/?_rdr
DH and daughters are going in May to be with the family.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

It is 40 out, so I built a fire, hard to type when my hands are cold. this back and forth with the weather has my bones hurting. +
HOT COFFEE is like and internal hot soak

I am going to work around the rain,

Seattle is a bit different

Today and tomorrow I need to unload 20/5lb sand bags into the coop; get the wood chipper going and get as much chipped as I can. I want to finish the run by loading it with wood chips, and edge the garden with chips AND put cardboard down around my lavender beds and put wood chips on top.
There is enough leftovers in the fridge I am NOT cooking-- the chef and dishwasher are off.
More please

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I got started on weed whacking on the slope yesterday. I uncovered my neglected blueberry bushes and saw my Kiefer pear tree. It’s a little over 6 feet tall now. I may trim the top center a bit to try to force more outward growth. The grapevines are looking really good as is the lavender plants. The clean up on the slope will take a while. It seems the briars are trying to take over. So the weed whacking is a little prickly. All my seedlings are doing well. Filling the new garden beds are on a little hold now as we are having a very rainy week. We might get a break on Tuesday and Wednesday but for now it’s cold, rainy and maybe snow and ice. Yuck.

 

[gtaus]

I do, do liquid fertilizer,, they dont do much in the jug,, jut sink to the bottom, so I dont put then in any more

If you make liquid fertilizer with eggshells, then you need to use vinegar, which is acidic, and that will break the calcium carbonate bond of the eggshells. This is confirmed by the chemical reaction between the eggshells and the vinegar which will produce a foam on top of the liquid. That foam is actually carbon dioxide off gassing. That's how you can see the bond is breaking, releasing the calcium in the eggshells to be used as liquid fertilizer.

Although the eggshells will sink to the bottom of the vinegar solution, the chemical reaction with the foam confirms that you are extracting the calcium in the eggshells. When the solution stops foaming, there is no more chemical reaction possible, and the solution is ready for use as liquid fertilizer after you dilute it with water.

Depending on how you apply the liquid fertilizer, some people will use a coffee filter to strain out the eggshells from the solution.

I know some people will make liquid fertilizer by soaking organics in water for a few days. That works for the green organics, but you need to use something like vinegar on the eggshells first, then add water later after all the chemical reactions are complete.