Why Put an Egg in the Hole When Planting Tomatoes?

If you asked a bunch of experienced gardeners in the UK about putting an egg in the hole when planting tomatoes, some would say it's a classic move, others might just laugh. But there's a good reason behind this old-school hack—and it's not as weird as it sounds.

Most folks are after those juicy, trouble-free tomato plants. Trouble is, tomatoes demand more from the soil than other crops. That’s where eggs come into play. They break down in the soil and release key nutrients—mainly calcium, but also a bit of protein and even some phosphorus—all of which help those tomato roots stretch out strong and the fruits develop without those nasty black-bottomed rot patches.

Eggs are super easy to get hold of, and chances are, you've already got some knocking around in your fridge. You don’t even need to fuss about which type—just a regular shop-bought egg will do. That makes this trick ideal for beginners and seasoned tomato growers alike.

Before you try it, though, it’s worth knowing why the hack helps, how to do it without causing a stink (literally), and what goes on in that little underground egg experiment.

• Where the Egg Trick Comes From
• How the Egg Helps Your Tomatoes
• Real-World Tips for Using Eggs in the Garden
• Downsides and Things to Watch Out For

Where the Egg Trick Comes From

This hack of putting a whole egg in the planting hole goes way back, and it’s not something a social media influencer invented last year. Gardeners in Europe and North America have tried it for decades—some say even longer. Old books and allotment guides from the 1960s mention using kitchen scraps, including eggs, for a cheap fertilizer boost and a way to use up waste. The trick probably started because it just made sense: eggs are packed with nutrients and, instead of throwing them out, people figured out how to get those goodies back into their soil.

It also has a link to traditional companion planting. Early on, gardeners saw that well-fed soil made for stronger tomato plants with fewer problems like blossom end rot—a frustrating issue that's basically a calcium shortage. Tossing an egg in under your tomato seedlings was seen as a simple fix.

It’s not just a UK thing either. US growers, especially in the southern states, have used whole eggs, crushed egg shells, and even fish heads to boost tomatoes for generations. It's just one of those gardening tricks that stuck because people saw it working. These hacks were especially common in times when fertilizer was expensive or hard to get.

What’s changed recently is just how much people are sharing the results. A quick look at big gardening forums and YouTube shows thousands of everyday growers giving it a go, claiming better yields and fewer rot spots than without the egg. According to a 2022 survey on home gardening practices in the UK, about 18% of home growers say they’ve tried adding eggs or egg shells when planting tomatoes, carrots, or peppers.

This goes to show the power of old-school tricks in gardening, especially for anyone growing in less-than-perfect soil. The egg in tomato planting hack might sound odd on paper, but it’s rooted in that classic 'waste not, want not' mindset that’s baked into British gardening history.

How the Egg Helps Your Tomatoes

An egg buried under a tomato plant isn’t magic—it's science. Tomatoes can be total calcium hogs. They need this mineral for steady growth and for keeping fruit firm and healthy. If the soil's low on calcium, you'll likely see blossom end rot. That’s the dreaded black patch tomatoes get at the bottom. No one wants mushy, spoiled tomatoes.

When you plant a whole egg, it slowly breaks down. As it decomposes, the shell releases calcium and the inside adds a bit of nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients all boost root development and fruit quality.

• egg in tomato planting: The eggshell alone is mostly calcium carbonate, about 95%. That’s a direct source of calcium for your tomato roots, right where they need it.
• The egg white and yolk contain proteins and organic matter. This breaks down into nitrogen and other micro-nutrients, giving plants an extra push.
• Tomatoes grown with some added egg (according to small test plots from several gardening clubs in the UK) had a noticeable drop in rot and a small increase in number of fruits per plant.

Check out this basic table showing what your plants get from a single egg:

Here's the key: the nutrients are released slowly. That means your tomato plant gets a steady supply over the growing season. If you use regular synthetic fertilizer, the nutrients hit the soil fast and sometimes wash away before the plant can use them. With an egg, it acts like a time-release capsule—especially handy if you don't want to mess with constant feeding.

If you’re looking for simple ways to get more from your tomatoes, using an egg is not just cheap—it's easy and surprisingly effective. Just make sure the egg is buried deep enough so it doesn’t attract animals (at least 15cm below the surface works well).

Real-World Tips for Using Eggs in the Garden

Okay, so you want to try the egg trick when planting tomatoes? Here’s how to give your plants the best start without causing mess, stink, or garden headaches. Plenty of gardeners in the UK have tested it on everything from supermarket cherry tomatoes to show-winning beefsteaks, so these tips are based on what actually works in real beds and containers.

First off, don’t just crack a raw egg on the surface or right under the tomato. That’s a recipe for rot, maggots, and a foul whiff. The trick is to bury the egg deep enough so it breaks down quietly, away from pests and your nose. Here’s a step-by-step rundown:

1. Dig your planting hole about 20–25cm deep (deeper than usual for tomatoes).
2. Drop a whole, uncooked egg into the bottom.
3. Cover the egg with 5–7cm of soil before setting your tomato plant above it. This keeps roots from touching the egg directly at first and prevents odour or flies.
4. Water in well, and mulch if you can, especially if you’re in drier parts of the UK.

If you’d rather avoid whole eggs, crushed eggshells work too. Just rinse them first to dodge old egg smell and scatter a good handful in the planting hole. They break down slower but still add calcium over time. For containers, half an egg or only shells is best, as a whole egg can overwhelm a small space and cause soggy compost.

Wondering if it really helps? Here’s how some key garden stats line up. Based on a local community garden’s observations in Kent (2023, 30 plants tracked):

One more practical tip—don’t forget the egg in tomato planting trick isn’t a cure-all. If your soil’s already rich or you’re using a top-notch tomato feed, go easy. Too much of a good thing can create soggy spots or bring critters sniffing around. If you see signs of pests digging, try a layer of mesh or chicken wire above the egg but under the plant roots.

Downsides and Things to Watch Out For

Before you chuck an egg in every tomato hole, let’s get honest about what can go wrong. First off, there’s the smell. A whole egg, especially if it’s not buried deep enough, can rot and give off a nasty stink. Neighbours won’t thank you and neither will your nose. Try to plant it at least 15 to 20cm deep—that way, your garden won’t gag every time it rains.

Critters are another problem. Foxes, badgers, and even the neighbour’s dog can sniff out buried eggs faster than you think. If you’ve ever found a freshly dug hole in your veg patch, this could be why. To keep scavengers away, crush the egg (shell and all) and mix it well into the soil or compost, instead of dropping it in whole.

There’s also a risk of too much of a good thing. Loading every planting hole with eggs isn’t always necessary—tomatoes only need a modest calcium boost. Huge doses can mess with soil balance and may even lead to weird growth or nutrient competition with other plants.

If you’re planting on a big scale, cost creeps in. Eggs aren’t free, and if you plant dozens of tomato plants, you could end up spending more than you’d planned. For a few plants, it’s a quirky boost. For a whole allotment, consider cheaper methods like adding crushed eggshells or approved lime.

Finally, salmonella is rare in UK shop eggs, but it’s there, especially in home-produced ones. While tomatoes won’t catch it, handling raw eggs without washing up could be risky—wash your hands after touching raw eggs and before eating or prepping food.

• Bury eggs at least 15-20cm deep to avoid smells.
• Crush eggs before planting to reduce scavenger problems.
• Go easy—one egg per plant is enough.
• Stay clean—wash up after handling raw eggs.

Here’s how these risks stack up in practice:

So, while the egg trick can be great, it pays to be smart about how you use it. If you follow these tips, you’re well on your way to thriving tomato plants, without the drama.