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How to Prevent Blossom End Rot Using Eggshells

Using eggshells as seed starters can help prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

Each spring I start seeds inside on the windowsill to get a jump on the growing season. It's getting to be that time of year again, so I've been saving my eggshells to make these cute seed starter cups.

Functional and practical, they are not only a great way to recycle your eggshells, they also help prevent a fairly common plant disorder called "blossom end rot".



How to Prevent Blossom End Rot Using Eggshells

What is Blossom End Rot?

Blossom end rot occurs when vegetables can't absorb enough calcium from the soil and the flesh on the blossom end (opposite the vine end) of the vegetable breaks down, turns black and dries up.

All plants need calcium and can benefit from being planted in eggshell cups, but certain crops are more susceptible to blossom end rot including tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, squash, lettuce, peppers, melons, and eggplant.

Preventing Blossom End Rot

By planting your seeds in eggshells, the disorder can be avoided because as the eggshells breaks down, it releases calcium into the soil. You can purchase a commercial product called Rot-Stop to spray on your vegetables, but I would rather let the eggshells prevent blossom end rot naturally.



Making Eggshell Seed Cups

To make your starters, crack your eggs, leaving about 2/3 of the shell intact.  Rinse out the egg reside.

Poke a small hole in the bottom for drainage with a pin, then scoop a bit of seed starting soil into each shell (mix some coffee grounds in to the soil for an additional nutrition boost). Press a few seeds into each shell and loosely cover with a bit more soil.

Mist with water and set your shells in the egg carton on the windowsill or in a warm spot in your house. Cover them with plastic wrap to retain more of the moisture. Keep the soil moist and you should see sprouts in no time!


Planting your Seedlings

Remove the plastic wrap once the seeds have sprouted.

When you are ready to transplant your seedlings, crush the shell a bit with your fingers or remove the bottom part to allow the plant roots to escape, and plant the seedling, shell and all, in the ground.

If your seedling outgrows the shell before it's time to go outside, you can plant the shell cup in a larger pot or container until it can be moved outside.

Once they are outside, you can also sprinkle crushed eggshells around the base of the plants for an added calcium boost.


Watch my step-by-step video tutorial.


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