Eggshells overflow with amazing nutrients and contain about 34 percent calcium and other trace minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. It seems a shame just to let them go to waste. Discover how to use eggshells for cucumber plants in various exciting ways to encourage healthy, vigorous growth.
Cucumbers are part of the Cucurbitaceae family, of which there are about 975 species of both edible and ornamental plants. Almost all cucumber family members are famously fragile and don’t hold up well against chilly temperatures and garden diseases like powdery mildew or blossom-end rot.
It’s possible to give our sensitive cucumber plants a fighting chance by adding simple organic waste from the kitchen. Organic matter like a crushed eggshell creates soil structure, and adding powdered eggshell to plant water helps introduce vitamins and improves the soil. Learn more about mighty eggshells and how they can help you.
Are Eggshells Good for Cucumber Plants?
Learn the facts about eggshells for cucumber plants and how well they work for cucumber plant problems and diseases as well as providing valuable nutrients for your plants.
Make your own homemade eggshell fertilizer for cucumber plants, and pick up tips for how to use eggshells for cucumbers effectively. Note that eggshells are also good for tomato plants and a variety of other veggies in the garden.
How to Compost Eggshells for Cucumber Plants
Crushed egg shells are at their best when combined with other organic matter to make healthy compost. It’s effortless to start your compost pile using a rubber container with a perforated lid and some kitchen waste like coffee grounds, banana peels, and eggshells.
Most gardeners avoid using raw egg material in compost because the smell attracts pests; however, specialized compost bins allow those materials. Eggshell compost isn’t just for cucumber plant growth in the garden; it also works wonders for indoor and potted plants. Try eggshells for cucumber plants, fresh coffee grounds, and other compostable kitchen scraps, and watch your plants flourish.
Eggshells for Blossom-End Rot
Are eggshells good for cucumber plants? They are, indeed. Eggshells might also help with a widespread cucumber disease called blossom-end rot. Try eggshell powder and water if you’re growing tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers. Blossom end rot is usually brought on by a calcium deficiency exacerbated by inconsistent watering.
Pro gardeners used to suggest Epsom salt to cure this deficiency, but we now know the problem is about calcium, not magnesium. Eggshell water for cucumbers provides much-needed calcium for your cucumber plant, tomato plant, or any other calcium-deficient plant struggling to grow healthy fruit. It depends how far apart you plant your cucumbers as to how much eggshell water you use.
Eggshells to Start Seeds
Eggshells aren’t only helpful for vulnerable, calcium-deficient plants; they’re great seed starters, too. Calcium is an essential nutrient for most organic life on the planet, and it makes sense that adding a few crushed egg shells straight out of the egg carton could benefit your seed.
Seed starting with eggshells is easy – clean the egg shells, crush them into small pieces, and lay them inside the planting hole before you sow the seed. Try one cucumber plant with the eggshell starter and one without, and see if you spot any difference in plant growth and health.
Homemade Eggshell Fertilizer for Cucumber Plants
Did you know it’s super simple to make your own homemade eggshell fertilizer for cucumber plants? Eggshell fertilizer is a fabulous way to add a pop of calcium to cucumber plants and struggling indoor plants. This recipe using eggshells as fertilizer for plants is quick to whip up and multiplies for large garden beds.
This homemade eggshell fertilizer for cucumber plants works best with a well-rounded approach to plant care, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and adequate potassium application where required. There is little difference in zucchini vs cucumber plant regarding fertilizer needs.
Bring a gallon of clean water to a boil and add at least ten eggshells. Add up to 20 eggshells if you need the fertilizer to pack more of a punch. Once you’ve boiled the shells for a few minutes, leave the mixture to sit and steep overnight. Strain the eggshell water into a watering can and apply it when you plant a cucumber seedling or to your cucumber plant weekly.
Use this fast and easy homemade eggshell fertilizer for indoor plants as well as for those outside.
We hope you enjoyed learning about eggshells for cucumber plants and feel excited to try them in your own garden. Are eggshells good for cucumber plants? Eggshells primarily help with calcium-deficient plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers.
However, eggshells are also alkaline and work well to amend acidic soil. If you suspect an issue with your soil pH, get a soil test done and then incorporate crushed eggshells or coffee ground and egg shell compost to improve your soil quality and yield.
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