Sunday, November 17, 2024 - Preventing Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot is when the side of the fruit that attaches to the plant begins to shrivel and rot. This can happen on some or all of the fruit on a plant. Thankfully, blossom end rot is not the result of a virus or disease, but is generally caused from a lack of calcium. 

An organic solution to avoid blossom end rot, is to add crushed eggshells when you transplant your seedlings. The calcium in eggshells is 90% absorbable, and is probably the best natural source of calcium that we have available to us. And it’s free!

Collecting and preparing eggshells is as simple as 1, 2, 3…

1-      Save your eggshells in a large bowl on your counter as you use the eggs.

2-      Leave the shells in the bowl to dry.

3-      Crush the eggshells into small pieces by hand or with a food processor / blender. (The smaller the piece, the easier the calcium will be absorbed by the plant)

Use your crushed eggshells at planting time to prevent blossom end rot by adding 1 teaspoon full under the seedling before covering up with soil.

Crushed eggshells can be used in potting mixes for container gardens, when transplanting your seedlings up, and added to seedling mix (in small proportions) when starting tomato, pepper, and squash seeds.


 

 


 

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