Using Noah's Dove Farm Eggshell Powder to make Water Soluble Calcium fertilizer

This recipe converts the calcium carbonate in our Noah's Dove Farm eggshell powder into a plant-available liquid calcium using vinegar. It creates a traditional fermented-style calcium input commonly used in natural farming and foliar feeding systems.  Our 10oz bag is enough to make ~100 gallons of 100ppm final solution that can be applied to your plants.

Ingredients
  • 5 ounces of Noah's Dove Farm eggshell powder
  • 6 cups of store-bought vinegar (5% acidity or higher)
  • we're aiming for a 10:1 ratio of powder to vinegar.  This recipe gives us 5oz/142grams to 6cups/1420ml....a perfect 10:1 ratio.
Equipment
  • Glass mason jar (do not use metal)
  • Wooden or plastic spoon
  • Cheesecloth or loose lid
  • Fine strainer or coffee filter
  • Dark storage bottle
Step 1 — Mix eggshell powder and vinegar
  • Place the eggshell powder into the mason jar.  Slowly pour vinegar over the powder.
  • The mixture will foam heavily as the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the powder and releases carbon dioxide.
  • This reaction is essentially: CaCO3+2CH3COOH→Ca(CH3COO)2+CO2+H2OCaCO3​+2CH3​COOH→Ca(CH3​COO)2​+CO2​+H2​O
  • You are creating calcium acetate, a water-soluble form of calcium.
Step 2 — Ferment
  • Leave the mason jar lid loose or cover with cloth, let sit for 7-10 days stirring 1x daily
  • The bubbling will gradually slow and eventually stop.  When bubbling stops, most of the reaction is complete
Step 3 — Strain
  • Filter through a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or fine mesh strainer
  • The finished liquid should be amber to light brown.
Step 4 — Store
  • Store in a dark glass bottle, in a cool location out of direct sunlight
  • Properly stored, it can last many months.
Step 5 - Use
  • Mix 2 tbsp/30ml of solution per 1 gallon of water.  This will give us ~100ppm of water soluble Calcium
  • Apply as a foliar spray or soil drench
Hydroponics (Use Carefully)
This solution can work in hydro systems, but:
  • It may alter pH
  • Organic residues can encourage biofilm
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