Gardeners often face the challenge of ensuring their plants receive the right balance of nutrients, with calcium being one of the elements that can make or break plant health.
The problem of calcium deficiency is not just a minor setback; it can lead to serious issues like blossom end rot in tomatoes, stunted growth, and poor development in plants. This situation can be especially frustrating when you’ve invested time and effort into nurturing your garden using sustainable practices.
The solution lies in an easily accessible, eco-friendly method to supplement calcium: water soluble calcium (WCA) made from eggshells and vinegar.
This DIY approach of Korean natural farming not only addresses the calcium needs of plants but also goes along with the ideas of organic gardening, making it a perfect fit for gardeners looking to enhance plant growth naturally.
TL;DR
We aim to:
- Explore the process of making water soluble calcium (WCA) at home using eggshells and vinegar, a sustainable gardening practice.
- Provide a detailed step-by-step guide covering the collection and cleaning of eggshells, preparing the vinegar solution, and waiting for the chemical reaction to complete.
- Highlight the importance of choosing the right type of vinegar and the significance of the bubbling reaction during the preparation of WCA.
- Offer practical tips for storing the finished WCA properly, emphasizing the use of glass containers to avoid corrosion.
- Emphasize patience throughout the process, from allowing the eggshells to dry to waiting for the reaction to finish, ensuring the creation of a potent plant-ready solution.
Understanding Water Soluble Calcium
Water soluble calcium is a bioavailable form of calcium that plants can easily absorb. It’s essential for the development of strong cellular walls, leading to healthier, more resilient plants.
When I first encountered the concept, I was seeking organic ways to correct the calcium deficiency in my garden. The simplicity of using eggshells, a common kitchen waste product, and vinegar to create a potent plant supplement was appealing and seemed to embody the sustainable gardening ethos I strive for.
Once you are ready to give it a guy, try using Eggshells and White Vinegar.
The Science Behind WCA
The process involves a chemical reaction where calcium carbonate from eggshells reacts with the acetic acid in vinegar, resulting in water soluble calcium. This reaction fascinated me, as it was a clear example of how simple kitchen ingredients could be changed into something so helpful for the garden. It highlighted the importance of understanding the basic principles of soil chemistry and plant nutrition in organic gardening. It also showed how using simple kitchen ingredients, like with potatoes and Jadam microbial solution, can be super helpful in your own garden.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own WCA
Materials Needed:
- Eggshells
- White vinegar (approximately 10 parts to 1 part eggshells)
- A pan for grilling
- A container for mixing and storing
- A strainer and funnel
- A clean container for the finished WCA
Steps to Make WCA:
- Prepare Eggshells: Collect a bunch of eggshells. There’s no need for meticulous cleaning or membrane removal at this stage.
- Grill Eggshells: Place the eggshells in a pan over a hot fire. Crush them slightly for even cooking. Grill until they are charred, brittle, and slightly brown. This process helps remove the membrane and prepares the eggshells for the chemical reaction with vinegar.
- Remove Membranes: As the eggshells cook, you can remove the membranes by fanning them, causing the lighter, burned membranes to fly out, or by shaking the pan (like an omelet flip) to eject the membranes.
- React with Vinegar: Once the eggshells are charred, place them in a container and add white vinegar. The ratio should be about 1 part eggshells to 10 parts vinegar. Pour the vinegar slowly to manage the bubbling reaction.
- Let It Sit: Allow the mixture to sit and react for at least 5-7 days, though leaving it for up to 10 days can increase calcium diffusion into the vinegar. Ensure the eggshells are fully submerged and reacting, indicated by bubbling and movement.
- Extract WCA: After the reaction period, strain the solution into a clean container, removing the eggshell remnants. The remaining eggshells can be used as a soil additive or in a worm bin.
Applying WCA in Your Garden
Applying WCA to your plants is easy. It is best to apply calcium after your plants have started fruiting. I diluted the solution with water at a ratio of 1:1000 and used it as a foliar spray or directly in the soil around my plants.
This application not only helped address the calcium deficiency but also seemed to invigorate my plants, leading to lusher foliage and more robust fruit production.
- Dilute the WCA at a rate of 1:1000 for foliar application or as specified in various KNF recipes. (Same dilution ratio as OHN.)
- WCA is gentle on plants (just like and can be used without the risk of burning or damaging them.
- Store the WCA in a shelf-stable container. If using non-living vinegar (store-bought), it can be sealed and stored indefinitely. If using living vinegar (homemade), consider using a breathable lid, though it should remain relatively stable.
Benefits of Using WCA in Gardening
The benefits of incorporating WCA into your gardening regimen are manifold. It not only corrects calcium deficiencies but also promotes healthier plant growth and fruit development.
- Provides calcium, essential for plant health, preventing cracking, enhancing nutrient absorption, and increasing the storage life of crops.
- Can be used after fruiting to supply the necessary calcium for healthy plant development.
In my experience, plants treated with WCA exhibited increased vigor and resilience against pests and diseases. Furthermore, this method epitomizes sustainable gardening by recycling kitchen waste into a valuable gardening resource, reducing waste, and avoiding chemical fertilizers.
Conclusion
Water soluble calcium is a game-changer for organic gardeners. Its simplicity, effectiveness, and alignment with sustainable gardening principles make it an indispensable tool in the gardener’s arsenal. By making and using WCA, you’re not just addressing the immediate nutritional needs of your plants; you’re also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening practice.
I encourage fellow gardeners to try this easy water soluble calcium recipe and witness the positive impact on their garden’s health and productivity firsthand. It’s a small step toward more responsible gardening that can make a significant difference in the health of your garden and the planet.
