Growing Peppers with Eggshells

 

An eggshell seems to be nothing special, but what if I told you that eggshells are one of the secrets of growing peppers? 

Peppers (both hot and sweet) demand high levels of calcium and phosphorous. Fortunately, eggshells are primarily made up of calcium carbonate, as well as smaller amounts of phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, ect... 

Calcium is not just beneficial for peppers! Calcium is responsible for reinforcing the cell walls of the plant and fruit, which makes the plant less susceptible to disease. A common way to identify a calcium deficiency is if several or all the fruits contract blossom end rot (bottom end of the fruit turns brown and mushy).

 Phosphorous is primarily responsible for the reproductive part of the plant. For instance, a lack of phosphorous can result in fewer flowers, branches, or undeveloped fruit, which results in less yield. The tips of the leaves can turn brown and curl, indicating a phosphorous deficiency. 

Last year's pepper crop significantly improved compared to years past since I buried egg shells next to the transplanted pepper plants. The plants were not only taller (2 feet and then some), but they were greener, and the yields were incredible! The peppers were noticeably firmer and larger than those from the previous year, and those results were achieved with only 1 eggshell per two plants, approximately. The yields were surprising because a significant portion of the 2020 summer was cool and wet in June, then relatively hot during July and August. This year I am going to experiment with 2 eggshells per 2 plants and see what happens! 

Eggshells can also be incorporated in compost to breakdown during the composting process. By composting year round, it provides a receptacle for eggshells every day of the year, which keeps valuable calcium stored in usable soil instead of a landfill.  

In our modern agricultural "climate," the three macronutrients that get almost all the attention are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Consequently, other macro and micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other metals get overlooked, which means that the soil at large is deficient in these nutrients. I think it would also be safe to say that the reason why most food is deficient in macro and micronutrients is because most crops aren't "fed" those extra macro and micronutrients. Consequently, the overall nutritive value of the food we eat is significantly deficient, making us deficient as well. 

So, by reusing eggshells, not only can higher yields be achieved in the garden, but also the overall benefit of those crops gets transferred to ourselves! 

Nutrient profile source: https://www.haifa-group.com/articles/crop-guide-nutrients-pepper