Jimmy Fallon’s Clever Tomato Calcium Trick Is Science-Based if You Can Wait Long Enough for Results – Using Something You're Throwing Away
The Tonight Show host might have overspent on his supplies, but his reliance on eggshells is a solid technique that requires more foresight than he realized
Jimmy Fallon may not have been your first port of call for gardening advice; however, he has proved himself to be quite the expert, particularly when it comes to tomatoes.
In a resurfaced clip from The Tonight Show, the host explained that he had adopted the art of growing tomatoes – specifically, Beefmaster tomatoes (available at Walmart). And while we were quick to label him an 'expert' (he later shows off his painfully small crop), he does reference a tip favored by certified professionals: Crushed eggshells.
'I love gardening. I have been doing some gardening…. Over the past month, I have been carefully growing these tomatoes in a pot. I used bamboo sticks to support them, added crushed eggshells to the soil for calcium, planted marigolds to keep the bugs away, and I have been spraying it with neem oil for pests,' Jimmy comments.
Article continues below
Shop the Tomato Growing Essentials
Jimmy started his tomato growing journey with Beefmaster's, so why not follow his example? These seeds produce exceptionally large, smooth, deep red slicing tomatoes with a classic, rich flavor.
This liquid fertilizer, designed for tomato plants, is diluted with water before use and applied during the growing season. It provides key nutrients to support healthy growth and strong yields.
Straight-bladed pruning snips are an essential tool for anyone growing tomatoes, as they allow for precise, clean cuts when pruning plants and harvesting fruit. Their straight blades make it easy to snip tomatoes from the vine without damaging the plant.
Tomato cages are designed to support and guide plants as they grow, helping them stay upright and healthy throughout the season. This set includes three square-shaped steel cages that provide a sturdy structure, reduce plant strain, and make harvesting easier by keeping fruit more accessible and off the ground.
These plant stakes are versatile supports that can be used in a variety of ways around the garden, starting with your tomato plant. They can be assembled into bamboo trellises, adapted as supports for climbing plants, or arranged to form simple fencing structures.
This food formulated to deliver long-lasting feeding and consistent plant health. The easy-to-apply granules release essential nutrients right away and continue to nourish plants over time, providing sustained feeding for up to three months.
Despite Jimmy's practice, the question of whether eggshells are good for plants remains a constant among garden experts. Glen Chandler, a gardening expert and founder of Evergreen Seeds, explains that they do have their benefits, but you can't expect instant results.
‘As we're settling into spring planting season, I'm hearing the same question from gardeners across the country: "Should I really be saving my breakfast eggshells for the tomato patch?" After 18 years of working with home gardeners, I've seen this folk wisdom both help and hurt depending on how it's applied,' he says.
'In my experience, eggshells need at least six months to break down enough for plants to actually use that calcium. Gardeners who sprinkle whole shells around their tomatoes in May are essentially decorating their flower beds - the calcium won't be available until the following season.'
Ultimately, this method is a mix of solid science and slightly mistimed execution. While Jimmy proves that celebrity status does not grant you a green thumb overnight, his instincts regarding eggshells are a fantastic and sustainable way to boost soil quality. Calcium is vital when growing tomatoes to avoid blossom end rot, a condition where the bottom of the fruit becomes sunken due to a nutrient deficiency. This essential mineral also ensures that tomatoes remain firm as they develop.
The catch is patience, as you must give those shells the six months they need to properly decompose so they can become a powerhouse of nutrients for your plants. If you are looking to see results a bit faster than Jimmy did and perhaps harvest more than a single fruit, try finely grinding your shells into a powder or adding them to your compost pile well in advance. By the time next season arrives, your soil will be primed for a bumper crop. Your tomatoes might just thank you.
