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Photo: Peels and shells instead of fertilizer — Mosesbrazas · CC BY 4.0. Photo cropped from the original.
Feeding

Peels and shells instead of fertilizer

MYTH

Bury a banana peel or eggshells in the pot and you'll never need fertilizer.

FACT

The plant only gets food from them once they break down, and eggshell pieces take one to five years. Meanwhile the peel rots slowly, draws pests and can turn moldy.

What actually matters

  1. Eggshells only as powderCoarse pieces do almost nothing. If you want to use shells, rinse, dry and grind them to dust – a coffee grinder works.
  2. Potting mix has calciumMakers usually add a little lime to bagged potting mix, and it brings calcium and magnesium. Shells only help if calcium is short, and a soil test will show that.
  3. Compost the scrapsPeels, peelings and crushed shells are good compost material. Once fully broken down, they feed plants in a form they can use.
  4. Feed with real fertilizerLook for one labeled for houseplants. An all-purpose one works too, mixed at half or a quarter of the label strength.
Sources: NC State Extension, Illinois Extension, UGA Extension, Wisconsin Extension, UNH Extension, Iowa State Extension.