Everyone is using egg shells to strengthen hydrangeas: does it really work?

Everyone speaks of egg shells to strengthen hydrangeas, but is it really so effective? This natural remedy is depopulating among gardening enthusiasts, promising healthier flowers and richer soils. But what’s right?

Among the most popular do-it-yourself tips for the garden, the use of egg shells It seems simple and sustainable. Just put them around the plant, it is said, and you’re done. But before starting to spread them everywhere, it is worth understanding how they act and if they can make a difference. Meanwhile, why not start keeping them instead of throwing them? They could come in handy, even if only to take a test.

Someone claims to have seen their own hydrangea grow more luxuriant within a season. It is not a mathematical rule, of course, but if many do it, perhaps there is a reason. And after all, every occasion is good to give a second life to what usually ends in the garbage.

Because egg shells are considered an ally of hydrangeas

I egg shells they are rich in calcium carbonatea compound that can help correct the acidity of the soil. Football is essential for plants: strengthens cell walls, improves soil structure and promotes the absorption of other minerals. Even the hydrangeas, in particular, react to the pH surprisingly: the more acidic the soil is, the more they tend to blue; The more Alkaline is, the more they turn to pink. It is not uncommon to see, in the same garden, blooms of different color only due to the location and the ground.

Here the eggsman comes into play, which Lightly raise the pH if used constantly. But patience is needed: the changes are not immediate and often it takes months to notice a variation in flowers. And if the ground is already naturally alkaline, adding too many could even worsen the situation. Furthermore, if the shells are not reduced to fine powder, they can remain intact for a whole season, without issuing much.

Some gardeners mix the shells With coffee or compost funds To get a more active mix. Others combine them with well -mature manure, creating a mixture that slowly returns nutrients to the ground. But always in moderation: each plant has its own balance, and the risk of “nourishing too much” is more concrete than it seems. And then let’s face it, the beauty of gardening lies precisely in observing these small changes over time, even when they seem imperceptible.

How to use egg shells to strengthen hydrangeas

It is not enough to spread whole shells around the roots and wait miracles. To get real benefits, you need a minimum of preparation. Here are some useful suggestions, without complicating your life:

• Wash and dry the shellsto avoid smells or mold. Better to do it immediately after using them in the kitchen, so you avoid forgetting them.
• Finely choppedusing a mortar, a blender or a grinding mill. The fine they are, faster decompose and release nutrients.
• Distribute the dust Around the base of the plant, preferably in spring and autumn. Some do it even after a light rain, when the ground is more receptive.
• Mix slightly with the groundto facilitate their absorption. Just move the first layer a little with a small hoe or even with your hands, if the ground is soft.

This natural treatment does not replace a complete fertilizer, but can integrate it. In addition, the presence of chopped shells helps keep snails awaywho cannot stand the sharp consistency. There are also those who add some chopped shells in the compost of the house to enrich it further, with a simple but effective gesture. And if there is any piece that is not perfectly crushed, it is not a problem: he too will do his part, over time.

Does it really work or is it just a fashion?

The truth, as often happens, lies in the middle. THE egg shells workbut with their times and with the right precautions. They do not make miracles, but they can help improve the health of the soil and hydrangeas, especially if they are used regularly. Those who aim for pink blooms will notice more evident benefits, while those who love blue will have to evaluate if they are truly the most suitable method.

But be careful not to overdo it: too many shells can unbalance the pH and make difficult to absorb other nutrients. Some signs to keep an eye on are the yellowing of the leaves or a scarce flowering than usual. At that point it is better to suspend for a few weeks and observe how the plant reacts. It is not an instant remedy, but a small sustainable habit to be integrated into the care of the garden.

If you want to experience naturally, without investments or chemicals, egg shells are a good starting point. It is a simple gesture, which helps to reduce waste and take care of green with greater awareness. It is not enough: a pinch of curiosity, some time and the careful observation of its plants, because every hydrangea has its history and character.

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