There’s a saying that “you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.” But even if you don’t make omelets on a regular basis, chances are, you still use eggs quite frequently in your cooking or baking. That means a lot of empty eggshells, and most of them go straight into the garbage. If you’re a…
Eggshells for Plant Health
Eggshells, whether the eggs are white or brown, are mostly made of calcium. That’s an important nutrient in garden soil, and a calcium deficiency can cause some notable problems (blossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppers, for example). Calcium also helps neutralize acidity, so if you have acidic soil, you’ll find that hostas, daylilies, hydrangeas, ivy, and many vegetables benefit from eggshells’ ability to tamp down soil acidity (much like wood ash from your fireplace). That said, you should always test your soil before adding amendments.
The Physical Benefits of Eggshells in the Garden
Aside from the role calcium plays in your garden soil, eggshells have a number of physical benefits. A ring of coarsely crushed eggshells around vulnerable plants can help keep slugs and snails away, as the shells are hard on their soft bellies. Crushed eggshells also add texture and aeration to your soil, loosening it and making it more hospitable for your plants’ roots, as well as worms and the many other tiny creatures that live in your garden’s ecosystem.
More from our network
House Outlook is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
Ground vs. Crushed
Simply dropping used shells in the garden works, but it’s not ideal — they can start to smell and sometimes attract pests. Instead, give them a quick rinse and then let them dry thoroughly before crushing or grinding them. You can even toast them lightly in a low oven to speed the drying process — 30 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit is all it takes.
Once they’re ready, you can work crushed or ground eggshells directly into the soil, or incorporate them into your compost instead. Finely ground eggshells are generally best as a calcium supplement because they release calcium into the soil quickly, while coarsely crushed eggshells are better as a physical amendment for soil due to their slower breakdown.
