Eggshells are good for cucumbers as they will release small amounts of calcium into the soil. This helps the cucumbers to grow strong stems and to become crispier and crunchier. Crushed eggshells can also help to keep snails and slugs off cucumbers. Simply layer a circle of crushed egg shells around your plants.
This article will explore all you need to know about using eggshells for cucumbers. This includes the benefits, how to prepare the shells and 3 ways you can use them for your cucumbers.
Key Takeaways
- Eggshells will release calcium into the soil for crunchier and crispier cucumbers.
- The smaller the eggshells are crushed, the quicker the calcium will be released into the soil.
- Eggshells can help to balance the pH of the soil, decreasing the acidity levels.
- Baking eggshells in the oven before crushing them makes it easier to make a fine powder.
- Eggshells can be used around cucumber plants as an easy slug and snail deterrent.
5 Benefits of eggshells for cucumbers
Here are the top benefits of using eggshells for cucumbers.
1. Slug and snail repellant
Crushed eggshells are a great snail and slug repellant for cucumbers. Crushed eggshells have sharp edges which the soft snails and slugs hate crawling over.
Layer the crushed eggshells in a ring around the plant like a barrier. This will keep these crawling bugs away and save your cucumbers.
2. Eggshells release calcium into the soil
Calcium helps the cucumber plant to regulate the water movement. Calcium is an essential mineral for plant growth and can even give you crispier cucumbers.
Crush the egg shells and place some at the base of the hole when transplanting seedlings or dig some through your soil before planting seeds. The egg shells will be slowly broken down by the soil bacteria and worms releasing the calcium to your cucumbers.
3. Eggshells feed worms
Adding crushed eggshells to the soil around your cucumbers is a great way to add organic matter to the soil and feed your earthworms.
Having a healthy earthworm population will help to aerate the soil around your cucumbers, help the roots to grow stronger and wider and help to support the plant.
Eggshells are free, easy to collect and add can help with soil drainage.
4. Eggshells feed soil bacteria
Eggshells will help to feed soil bacteria when you are growing your cucumbers. Soil microbes will break down the eggshells helping to release their nutrients into the soil.
This extra organic matter will help to increase the diversity of soil bacteria to help you to grow healthier cucumbers in the long run.
5. Eggshells increase drainage
Mixing crushed eggshells through the soil will help to increase drainage for your cucumbers. These tiny pieces of organic matter will create small air pockets and help to stop the soil from becoming too wet.
This extra soil drainage will help to prevent root rot and stop yellowing on your cucumber leaves.
Check out this video for an easy way to make eggshell fertilizer.
How to prepare eggshells for cucumbers
Let eggshells dry on the bench
The simplest way to prepare the eggshells for cucumbers is to allow them to dry out on your bench for a day or two after breaking them.
Any leftover protein inside will dry and they can be crushed with your hand or a rolling pin. Crush them into small pieces to help them to break down in the soil quicker.
Bake eggshells in the oven
Another easy way to prepare eggshells for you cucumbers is to bake them first. Place them on a baking tray and cook them in a medium oven for 10 minutes.
After they have been cooked they can be easily crushed with a rolling pin or made into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. The smaller the pieces of eggshell are, the quicker they will break down and be incorporated into the soil to feed your cucumbers.
For more on this, check out my article here with easy steps: Do you need to wash eggshells before composting?
3 Ways to add eggshells to cucumber plants
Here are 3 easy ways to add eggshells to cucumber plants to help them to grow stronger and crispier.
1. Put crushed eggshells in the planting hole
Before planting your new cucumber seedlings sprinkle some crushed eggshells in the base of the hole. Mix it around gently and then plant your cucumber straight in. Backfill the hole and the eggshells will slowly break down over time feeding the roots.
2. Place crushed eggshells in a ring around the plant
To repel slugs and snails crush egg shells and make a ring around your cucumbers. Make sure the ring is solid and at least 1 inch wide. This will help to stop snails and slugs from crawling their way onto your cucumbers and causing damage.
3. Sprinkle eggshells lightly under the mulch
Another great way to add eggshells to your cucumbers is to add it to the soil before mulching. After planting your new cucumber seedlings or seeds sprinkle a light layer of finely crushed eggshells to the soil.
Sprinkle a small amount over the soil and gently cover the area with mulch. If you are planting seeds make sure that any mulch does not cover the seed directly. Place mulch at least 2-3 inches away to avoid covering the seed and preventing growth.
Are eggshells good for cucumbers? | Summary
Eggshells are a great source of calcium for cucumbers and an easy way to get them firmer and crispier. They can be used as a natural slug repellant or to add extra organic matter to feed worms and microbes. Eggshells can help to aerate the soil and will break down over time.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.