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Eggshell tea is a simple and effective way to give your plants a calcium boost. Calcium is essential for healthy plant growth, and eggshells are a great source of it. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to make eggshell tea for your plants.

Materials Needed:

• Eggshells (from 6-12 eggs)
• Water (1 gallon)
• A pot
• A strainer
• A container for storing the tea

Steps to Make Eggshell Tea:

-1. Collect and Clean Eggshells

Save the eggshells from your kitchen. Rinse them thoroughly to remove any egg residue. This helps to prevent any bad smells.

2. Dry the Eggshells

Allow the cleaned eggshells to dry completely. You can leave them out on a kitchen towel or place them in a warm, dry spot.

3. Crush the Eggshells

Once dry, crush the eggshells into small pieces. You can use a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or simply your hands. The smaller the pieces, the better.

4. Boil the Eggshells

Place the crushed eggshells in a pot and add 1 gallon of water. Bring the water to a boil, then let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This helps to extract the calcium and other minerals from the shells.

5. Cool and Strain the Mixture

• After boiling, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down completely. Once cooled, strain out the eggshell pieces using a strainer. The liquid that remains is your eggshell tea.

6. Store the Eggshell Tea

Pour the strained eggshell tea into a container for storage. You can keep it in a sealed container at room temperature.

How to Use Eggshell Tea on Plants:

• Watering: Use the eggshell tea to water your plants. Pour it directly onto the soil around the base of the plants. This can be done once a week.
• Foliar Spray: For a foliar spray, you can dilute the eggshell tea with more water (1 part eggshell tea to 1 part water) and spray it on the leaves of your plants. This helps the plant absorb calcium directly through the leaves.

Benefits of Eggshell Tea for Plants:

1. Calcium Boost: Calcium strengthens plant cell walls, promoting healthier and stronger plants. It helps prevent issues like blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
2. Improved Soil Structure: Adding calcium to the soil improves its structure, aiding in better water penetration and root growth.
3. Enhanced Growth: Plants with sufficient calcium grow more robustly, resist diseases better, and produce more flowers and fruits.

Using eggshell tea is an easy, organic way to recycle kitchen waste and give your plants a nutrient boost. Happy gardening!