
Gardener shares simple hack using common kitchen scraps: 'Magic in the garden'
One TikToker's favorite eggshell fertilizer hack can help your garden thrive while saving money.
A recent viral video showcasing a gardening hack involving crushed eggshells has sparked considerable discussion among home gardeners. Uploaded by TikTok user Yetta - FNP🩺👩🏾⚕️🥼 (@brwnbabe3), the video demonstrates how to transform discarded eggshells into a fine powder using a blender, which is then sprinkled around plants as a natural fertilizer. The creator, a self-described Nurse Practitioner and Entrepreneur, asserts that this "garden gold" is a free and effective way to provide plants with calcium and essential minerals. According to the video, these nutrients are crucial for boosting plant growth, preventing common issues like blossom end rot in vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers, and even deterring garden pests. However, the hack has ignited a debate within the gardening community, particularly in the comments section of the video. While many users expressed enthusiasm and shared their own experiences with eggshell use, a significant number raised questions about the bioavailability of calcium from raw crushed eggshells. Several comments suggested that plants might not be able to absorb the nutrients from pure eggshells without additional processing, such as adding lemon or lime juice to help break down the calcium carbonate. One commenter stated, "The plants can’t absorb pure crushed egg shells, you need to un bind the calcium with lemon juice first." Another user echoed this, saying, "so to let you know this doesn't work I saw a video and plants actually can't break down the nutrients so u should add lemon or lime to break it done before adding the eggshells." Despite the scientific questions, the video has garnered over 664,500 views, 35,400 likes, and 3,190 shares, indicating a strong public interest in sustainable and organic gardening practices. The discussion highlights the ongoing quest for natural solutions in home gardening and the importance of understanding plant nutrition.
One TikToker's favorite eggshell fertilizer hack can help your garden thrive while saving money.