Why You Should Sprinkle Crushed Eggshells Around Your Growing Lavender Plants

Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is a great way to add some beauty and a floral scent to your garden, and growing it is relatively easy. It's a slow-growing plant that can sometimes take years to bloom, but it's drought-friendly, thrives in well-drained soil, and is generally low-maintenance. Though it needs certain nutrients to survive, it also benefits from patience and consideration. Overwatering and overfertilizing are some of the main mistakes you'll want to avoid when growing lavender, so to make sure your lavender is well-fed without overdoing it, consider adding crushed eggshells to its soil.

Eggshells are a source of calcium, which lavender depends on to prevent blossom end rot, strengthen stems, and maintain healthy growth. The calcium content of eggshells is high, but it's released at a slow rate, which means it won't overwhelm the lavender. Calcium also helps raise the pH level of soil, which is perfect for plants like lavender that don't do well in acidic soils. So next time you're done cooking breakfast, save those eggshells, and your plants will thank you.

To make sure your lavender feels all the benefits of the eggshells, you'll want to make sure you're preparing the shells properly. Different plants benefit from different techniques, such as blending or crushing the shells. For lavender, crushed eggshells are generally the way to go because they are slower to break down, so the nutrients aren't absorbed as quickly. Plus, the sharp ends help deter pests from damaging or bringing disease to your lavender.

It's also crucial that the shells are dried so that they won't carry any excess water and add unnecessary moisture to the soil. You can air-dry the shells after cleaning them, but baking them allows for a comprehensive dry and easier crushing. This technique also helps kill bacteria such as salmonella.

Once you've prepared your shells and crushed them, whether by hand, using a roller, or any other method that gets the job done, there are different options for dispersing them into your lavender's soil. Sprinkling them around the base of the plant is a great way to not only physically ward off pests, but also to ensure that the shell's nutrients are ingested slowly to support your lavender's health for the long haul. You can even consider burying the eggshells to promote drainage and soil aeration. There's no rush to keep adding more shells, so if you have extra, add the eggshells to your compost or drop them off to a neighbor whose lavender might need a calcium boost.