Lemon trees are popular for those looking to bring some zesty flavor and vibrant color into their yards. But, it would need right fertilizers in order to grow porperly.
We all know that eggshells are great fertilizers for many plants. They are easy to use and cost effective as well. But, are eggshells good for lemon trees as well?
Yes, eggshell is good for lemon trees as it helps to improve the soil’s pH level, but to use eggshell effectively you need to follow proper ways like crushing it into small pieces before adding to the soil.
I have explained everything here, why eggshell is good and how to use it for your lemon trees.
Are eggshells good for lemon trees?
Yes, Eggshells are an effective and inexpensive fertilizer for lemon trees. They contain calcium, which helps to regulate the soil’s pH level, creating an environment that is less hospitable to pests and fungi. The shells also provide a slow release of nitrogen and other important minerals.
Eggshells help keep the soil from becoming waterlogged, allowing oxygen to circulate freely throughout the roots. When added around the base of the tree, eggshells provide a natural mulch to protect against heat, wind and weeds. Eggshells should be crushed into small pieces before being added to the soil, as they will break down faster.
To be precise on an average an eggshell contains around 40% of calcium, roughly 0.40% of magnesium and 0.4% of nitrogen.
Eggshells should be added every two weeks when watering your lemon tree. Adding them to newly planted lemon trees will help encourage quick growth and healthy foliage.
How to Use Eggshells for Lemon Trees?
As we already know, supplementing the soil with natural fertilizers like eggshells can help promote healthy growth for lemon trees, here’s how you can use eggshells safely and effectively to nourish your lemon trees:
Steps To Use Eggshells As A Fertilizer
- Step 1: Before applying eggshells to lemon trees, it’s important to have them cleaned and sterilized with boiling water or baking soda solution; this will prevent bacteria from harming your plants. You can also bake eggshells in the oven for around 15 minutes to 250º F-300º F to get rid of the bacteria.
- Pro Tip: Your overall fertilizer should only contain 20% of eggshell.
- Step 2: Crush eggshells into small pieces before being added to the soil, which will help them break down faster. When added around the base of the tree, eggshells provide a natural mulch for protection against heat, wind and weeds; adding eggshells once every two weeks when watering is ideal for maximizing their benefits over time.
- Pro Tip: You should make sure that all pieces are relatively uniform in size – crush them using either a mortar & pestle or food processor – so they don’t form pockets of too-high nutrient levels in one area of your tree’s soil.
- Step 3: Once prepared adequately, sprinkle the crushed shells evenly around the base of your lemon tree without allowing them to accumulate in one spot – this could lead to an imbalance which could harm your plant over time – before covering lightly with some soil.
If you’re planting a new tree, add some crushed shells onto its root ball before filling in with earth throughout planting; this will help encourage its quick growth and create healthier foliage more quickly than usual!
Drawbacks of Using Eggshells
Though eggshells can provide a healthy, natural fertilizer to nourish your lemon trees, there are some potential drawbacks that would-be gardeners should be aware of before investing time in this practice.
Potential downsides of using eggshells for lemon trees
The main problem with using eggshells as fertilizer is that the benefits take a while to materialize; you’ll need to be patient and consistent! If you’re using shells from eggs that were either past their sell-by date or improperly washed, then there’s the risk of introducing unwanted bacteria into your soil. Furthermore, as eggshells are so slow-releasing,
you may also find yourself needing to supplement with other fertilizers during periods when your plants require more nutrition than the shells can provide – it’s important to research how best to manage this balance.
For those looking for an immediate boost in growth rate and production, additional supplements or faster-releasing chemical fertilizers may be more suitable.
Alternative fertilizers that may be more suitable for certain situations
For those who would prefer not to use eggshells but still want natural substances, plenty of other options are available! Composting kitchen scraps is always a great route (as long as no meat is included!), and crushed coffee grounds can provide the nitrogen and phosphorus most citrus plants need.
Animal manures are popular too – just make sure they come from ‘cold composted’ sources first so as not to introduce harmful bacteria – and even seaweed-based products have been gaining traction since they offer an abundance of micro-nutrients while helping promote soil structure retention and drainage among various other benefits!
In conclusion, while adding eggshells to your garden can produce amazing results over time, it’s important to weigh up all the pros and cons before deciding whether this is the right choice for you!
What is a good fertilizer for a lemon tree?
Lemon trees are relatively easy to care for, but providing adequate nutrients is key to achieving a healthy and plentiful harvest. Here’s a list of some of the best fertilizers suitable for lemon trees:
Compost
Compost is particularly important regarding soil health as it can help promote drainage and provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
It’s best to prepare your compost mixture at home – simply collect garden trimmings and kitchen scraps such as vegetable peelings or eggshells, mix in a bin.
Then wait until fully broken down – though you can buy bags of ready-made stuff, too, if needed.
Chemical Fertilizers
Though not completely natural, many commercial chemical blends can enhance growth and fruit production in your tree. While jumping straight into synthetic products may seem like the easy option,
it’s important to remember that these are often more quickly absorbed than natural sources, so careful monitoring and regular application are necessary to get good results; additionally, they should only be used in moderation otherwise your soil might become unbalanced over time!
Manures
Animal manures can be another great source of fertilizer for your lemon tree.
You just need to make sure to find ‘cold composted’ sources first which eliminate the risk of introducing harmful bacteria into the ground.
Horse, cow or sheep manure are all great options.
However, if you do opt for this route then always ensure that manures have been completely broken down before use so as not to burn delicate roots with acids present after fresh excretion!
Which plants like eggshells?
Here’s a list of some plants that especially benefit from the regular application:
Tomatoes
Tomatoes love eggshells!
Not only do they provide nutrients for the plant, but their rough texture also acts as a deterrent against slug infestations; additionally,
When added to the planting holes at the start of the season, this helps to enhance drainage too – just be sure to grind them up before use so as not to damage delicate roots later on!
Herbs
Herb gardens also respond well when given regular doses of ground-up eggshells; the minerals found within help to improve flavor while providing a boost in growth rate and production; however, due to their slow release.
It’s best used during periods between replanting or potted herb management, i.e. spring/summer time rather than throughout winter as they’re unlikely to have much effect at this time due to reduced activity.
Roses & Carnations
Roses and carnations are both notorious for needing plenty of calcium-rich fertilizer to stay vibrant and blooming come summertime;
Eggshells make an ideal choice here as their rough texture is well suited for these species – plus, it’s always great when you can reuse materials like this without having to worry about environmental repercussions down the line!
All in all, eggshells make a great choice when it comes to providing your plants with vital minerals – just be sure to break them down into small enough pieces first; otherwise, you may end up damaging delicate root systems instead!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you put Miracle Grow on a lemon tree?
It is not recommended to use Miracle Grow fertilizer on a lemon tree. While Miracle Grow can provide quick and short-term results, long-term use of this synthetic fertilizer can lead to unbalanced soil composition, leading to an increased risk of nutrient deficiencies in the future.
Furthermore, synthetic fertilizers, such as Miracle Grow, are likely to leach out quicker than natural sources and can also be harmful to nearby plants if applied too liberally. Therefore, it’s best to opt for compost or other natural-based products.
Can you sprinkle eggshells on plants?
It is possible to sprinkle eggshells on plants as a natural fertilizer. Eggshells contain essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which can help promote healthy growth in garden plants.
The slow-release nature of eggshells makes them suitable for use in different types of soil and climates.
However, it’s important to grind up the eggshells before using them as mulch or fertilizer so as not to damage delicate roots. For best results, add around one teaspoon of crushed eggshells per square foot and mix into the soil or lay on top as mulch.
Are crushed eggshells good for all plants?
Crushed eggshells can be used as a natural fertilizer for most plants. However, some plants may be more sensitive to the calcium content. When using crushed eggshells on your plant, it’s best to start with a small amount and test the soil for calcium levels before adding more.
Additionally, some species are more susceptible to fungal infections or are toxic when fertilized with eggshells, so it is important to confirm that the eggshell has no adverse effects on the type of plant you are growing before use.
Conclusion:
Eggshells are a great natural fertilizer for lemon trees. With essential minerals and a slow-release nature, eggshells can help promote growth and health in any lemon tree while being safe to use in different climates and soil types.
It is important to grind up the eggshells before using them and to start with a small amount to test the soil. When used correctly, eggshells can be an effective natural fertilizer for lemon trees.
