How to Use Eggshells on Tomato Plants

by Melissa Lewis, Demand Media

Tomatoes are susceptible to blossom end rot, which first appears at the bottoms of the fruit, opposite the stems. Caused from a calcium deficiency, blossom end rot can be prevented if extra calcium is available in the soil for the tomato plants to absorb. Eggshells can provide this extra calcium and, if applied at planting time, help avoid this problem so you can reap a plentiful, healthy tomato harvest.

1

Pulverize eggshells in a blender until they are finely crushed. Blended eggshells decompose quickly to enrich the soil with calcium at a faster rate than those that are not ground up.

2

Place crushed eggshells in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container, and set it in the freezer to save until planting time. You'll need the equivalent of approximately 12 eggshells for each tomato plant.

3

Sprinkle a handful of crushed eggshells at the bottom of the hole in the soil before setting in your tomato plants.
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/