How Much Egg Shells per Tomato Plant

Egg shells are a valuable source of calcium and other minerals that can benefit your tomato plants. If you're wondering how much egg shells you should use per tomato plant, the answer depends on a few factors.

Soil pH

The first consideration is the pH level of your soil. If your soil is acidic, then adding egg shells can help to neutralize it. However, if your soil is already neutral or alkaline, adding too much egg shell can make the pH level too high and cause a mineral imbalance in your plants.

Ideally, you should test your soil pH using a home pH testing kit or by sending a sample to a soil testing facility. Depending on the results, you can adjust your soil pH by adding egg shells alongside other additives such as lime or sulfur.

Tomato Varieties

Another factor that can affect how much egg shells per tomato plant is the variety of tomato you're growing. Some tomato varieties are more susceptible to blossom end rot, a condition characterized by darkening and rotting at the blossom end of the fruit.

To prevent blossom end rot, you can add a few crushed egg shells to the planting hole before planting your tomatoes. The calcium from the egg shells can help to strengthen the cell walls of your plants and prevent the condition from developing.

Planting Time

The time of the year when you plant your tomatoes can also affect the amount of egg shells you should use. If you're planting your tomatoes during the spring or summer, you can add a handful of crushed egg shells to each planting hole.

However, if you're planting your tomatoes during the fall or winter, you may need to add more egg shells to compensate for the cooler temperatures that can slow down the breakdown of the shells.

Crushing and Storing Egg Shells

Before adding egg shells to your tomato plants, it's important to crush the shells into small pieces or powder. This will help your plants to absorb the minerals more easily.

You can also store crushed egg shells in a dry location, such as a mason jar, until you're ready to use them. Make sure to label the jar and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Conclusion

Overall, the amount of egg shells you should use per tomato plant depends on several factors, including the pH level of your soil, the tomato variety, and the planting time. Adding a handful of crushed egg shells to each planting hole can help to improve the mineral content of your soil and prevent blossom end rot.

Just remember to crush your egg shells and store them safely, and your tomato plants will thank you for the extra nutrients!