Create a Calcium-Rich Mulch

Credit: Terry Guscott

A common nutrient missing from our soil is calcium, which plants need to develop healthy roots, strong leaves, buds and fruit.

If the buds and young leaves on your plants are dying back from their tips, your soil lacks calcium. Fortunately calcium is easy to add to the garden through composting. Always compost eggshells and seafood shells, as these are valuable sources of calcium as they break down; other sources are lime, bone meal and alfalfa. Mulching will provide the calcium plants need, but they will struggle to absorb it if water is not provided consistently and adequately. A sure-fire combination is moisture-retentive mulch that releases calcium. Here is an organic recipe suitable for all areas of the vegetable, ornamental or fruit garden. 32-litre bag sterilized soil 2 kg (4.5 lb.) alfalfa meal 1 kg (2.2 lb.) crushed oyster shells 500 g (1 lb.) bone meal 12 crushed eggshells Hand blend all together. Spread a 5-cm (2-in.) layer under the plant or tree’s drip line, and apply 1 cup (250 mL) to each newly transplanted tomato, pepper, cucumber, squash or watermelon to help fight off blossom end rot.