Creating Better Soil

This is a weird little tip, but it seems to have produced great results in my herb and Perennial gardens each spring, and it is very handy for those who cook a lot.

Instead of tossing my eggshells in the garbage disposal or in the compost- I chuck them out the window. Yes, I said out the window. And right into my garden. (I do rinse and sort of crush them with my hand first). Then right after I have chucked a bunch of eggshells in there, I dump my daily coffee grounds on top of them.

Now, I am not saying that it doesn’t look a little junky out there in the winter with the bare soil covered in eggshells and coffee grounds, but I am pretty sure it is just me and the crows checking it out. Plus, come spring, after the soil has been marinating in the calcium from the eggs and the nitrogen of the coffee grounds, the plants are looking pretty good.

I have also heard that the eggshells are especially good for tomato plants if you want to prevent rot (I will try it this year as in Seattle rot is a real problem). I also know from personal experimentation that a more acidic soil (a la coffee grounds) can create a more vibrant colored hydrangea blossom. My mom drinks so much coffee that hers are practically fluorescent! Oh! That reminds me- she also picks up huge bags of grounds at Starbucks. They often bag their coffee grounds and just give them away to gardeners- check your local Starbucks for this cool, free, healthy addition to your garden ☺

Before:
IMG_9625

After:
IMG_0893

IMG_2266

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Creating Better Soil

This is a weird little tip, but it seems to have produced great results in my herb and Perennial gardens each spring, and it is very handy for those who cook a lot.

Instead of tossing my eggshells in the garbage disposal or in the compost- I chuck them out the window. Yes, I said out the window. And right into my garden. (I do rinse and sort of crush them with my hand first). Then right after I have chucked a bunch of eggshells in there, I dump my daily coffee grounds on top of them.

Now, I am not saying that it doesn’t look a little junky out there in the winter with the bare soil covered in eggshells and coffee grounds, but I am pretty sure it is just me and the crows checking it out. Plus, come spring, after the soil has been marinating in the calcium from the eggs and the nitrogen of the coffee grounds, the plants are looking pretty good.

I have also heard that the eggshells are especially good for tomato plants if you want to prevent rot (I will try it this year as in Seattle rot is a real problem). I also know from personal experimentation that a more acidic soil (a la coffee grounds) can create a more vibrant colored hydrangea blossom. My mom drinks so much coffee that hers are practically fluorescent! Oh! That reminds me- she also picks up huge bags of grounds at Starbucks. They often bag their coffee grounds and just give them away to gardeners- check your local Starbucks for this cool, free, healthy addition to your garden ☺

Before:
IMG_9625

After:
IMG_0893

IMG_2266

Recipe by Heather Christo (http://heatherchristo.com)