The winning combination for a beautiful garden: vinegar and eggshells. But be careful to use them correctly.
Despite all the care you give to your garden, sometimes your plants are not in good shape and show signs of nutrient deficiency. Slow growth, yellowing leaves or flowers that are struggling to bloom. This is often a sign of depleted soil. Forget about commercial fertilizers!
There is a simple, economical and ecological solution to this problem, which can be found in your kitchen or even in your trash: white vinegar and eggshells. These two ingredients, often underestimated, can improve the health of your plants while taking care of the environment, provided you use them correctly.
Eggshells are a natural source of calcium. This mineral is essential for plant development, including strengthening cell structure and promoting root growth. In addition, calcium helps prevent certain diseases, such as blossom-end rot, a common scourge in tomatoes and fruits.
To use eggshells in the garden, simply grind them finely after cleaning and drying them. You can then incorporate them directly into the soil or mix them into your compost. Not only do they enrich the soil with calcium, but they also improve the soil structure, thus promoting better moisture retention.
White vinegar, on the other hand, is often used as a natural weed killer. However, when used sparingly, it can be a great addition to enrich the soil by slightly increasing its acidity. Some plants, such as azaleas, blueberries, or rhododendrons, prefer more acidic soil to thrive. By adding a little vinegar to your watering water, you can adjust the soil pH and promote proper nutrient absorption.
Be careful: vinegar is acidic, and too much could damage your plants. The ideal solution is to dilute about a tablespoon of vinegar in a liter of water, then gently water the base of the plants once a month. This process is particularly effective for revitalizing soil that is too alkaline, where plants struggle to assimilate minerals.
When combined, vinegar and eggshells are an ideal solution for undernourished plants. The calcium in the shells, combined with a slight acidity from the vinegar, improves the structure and quality of the soil. This makes it easier for the roots to absorb essential nutrients.
If you have potted plants or plants in soil that is too alkaline, this method is particularly beneficial. Not only does it revitalize the soil, but it also allows you to recycle household waste that we would tend to throw away. It is therefore an economical and ecological approach, perfectly suited to sustainable gardening.