Is putting eggs in planting holes beneficial?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Whole eggs placed in planting holes are an age-old gardening myth that will damage tomatoes. Whole eggs break down underground, creating anaerobic conditions that strangle roots. Whole eggs, which are also perishable, attract rodents and insects with little nutritional benefit. I learned this the hard way after losing numerous plants to root rot.
Egg decay produces hydrogen sulfide gas, which is toxic to roots. This usually occurs after the first few weeks of planting. The odor invariably attracts pests, such as raccoons and rats, which dig up your seedlings. I know this through personal examples of destruction. Whole eggs provide very little calcium to the plant, as it takes too long for them to decompose for the plant to take it up anyway.
Eggshell Preparation
- Bake cleaned shells at 250°F (120°C) for 20 minutes
- Grind into powder using blender or mortar
- Apply 1/2 cup per plant at planting
Soil Amendment
- Mix powdered shells into top 6 inches of soil
- Combine with compost for better absorption
- Reapply midseason around plant base
Deficiency Solutions
- Use gypsum for severe blossom end rot
- Maintain consistent soil moisture
- Apply foliar calcium spray for quick correction
Properly prepare egg shells for optimum benefit. Clean and bake to kill pathogens. Grind into powder to break down quickly. I use a coffee grinder solely for grinding coffee beans. Mix the powder into the planting holes or topsoil. This gives calcium with no risks to soil health.
Effective water management guarantees calcium uptake. Maintained soil moisture should be kept consistent with the use of drip irrigation. Moisture fluctuations inhibit calcium uptake (even in calcium-heavy soils). For example, I water my tomatoes with 1-2 inches of water per week. Mulch assists in maintaining soil condition. Maintaining proper watering is more effective in guarding against blossom end rot than any soil amendment.
Read the full article: How to Grow Tomatoes: Essential Steps for Success
