Eggshells and Banana Peels For Your Garden and Houseplants!

How to use eggshells and banana peels for your garden and houseplants

Why use eggshells and banana peels on your plants?

You've probably heard of eggshells, coffee grounds, and banana peels being good for your garden and house plants. Is it just a myth or does it really work? When I was a child I remember my grandmother always had a jar of coffee grounds, and egg shells on the counter during the summer months that eventually made their way to the garden. I don't have a big garden, but I do plant a few peppers, and tomato plants, along with some mint, lavender, and basil. The first few years my plants did ok but I knew they could do much better. I decided to try eggshells and banana water, well sure enough my plants flourished. My lavender was dormant and not producing flowers. Soon after I nourished the soil with the shells and banana water, I had a lively lavender plant with pretty purple blossoms. Is it a coincidence? Maybe, but after researching the benefits I believe eggshells and banana peels to be beneficial for plants.

Benefits of Eggshells in the Garden

Using egg shells for your garden and house plants is a natural organic way to enrich your soil with calcium and other nutrients. Eggshells will help reduce the acidity in the soil and provide nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Have you ever had a tomato or pepper plant where the blossom end turns brown? It's called blossom end rot, and a calcium deficiency in the soil causes this issue. Adding naturally rich calcium from eggshells to the soil will help replenish the calcium in the soil.

What is blossom end rot? Blossom end rot is a common ailment in the garden. Most likely occurring with tomato, pepper, cucumbers, and zucchini plants. Blossom end rot causes black spots on the end of the fruit, eventually causing the fruit to rot. What we do know is the lack of calcium in the soil causes end rot. We don't know for certain if the calcium in eggshells helps prevent it. In my opinion and the opinion of many others it does. I've had the healthiest garden plants for years.

How to save eggshells! Get yourself a countertop compost bin, or a large mason jar. Simply rinse the egg shells and place them in an open container so they can dry out. Collect the eggshells until you have the desired amount.

How to use eggshells in your garden or house plants! When you're ready to use the shells, place them in a zip-lock bag and crush them with your hands, this seems to be the simplest way to do it. Kids will love this job, give them the zip-lock bag and let them go to town. Place the eggshells in the soil around the plant, and cover slightly. The shells don't have to be deep into the soil. You can also add the eggshells in the hole when your first plant.

Benefits of banana peels for house plants and in your garden

Banana peels contain calcium which will promote root growth. Potassium strengthens the plant. Magnesium assists with photosynthesis, sulfur helps to develop strong roots, and phosphorus is said to improve flowering and seed germination. You can cut up banana peels and put them directly in your garden. For house plants, I recommended banana water, simply save your banana peels in a glass jar. Add a few peels to a glass jar. You won't need many, fill the jar with water and let it sit for 5-7 days.

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