Get Creative with Eggshells: Unusual Uses in the Garden

Have you ever thought about using eggshells in your garden?

If not, you might want to reconsider because these little guys pack a powerful punch when it comes to planting health.

Not only are they an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, but they also offer a wealth of benefits, from improving soil structure to preventing plant diseases.

And the best part?

They’re easily accessible and free, so you can save your money for more plants! In this post, we’ll dive into the many ways you can use eggshells in your garden and how they can help you achieve a thriving, sustainable oasis. So, grab a coffee, and let’s get started!

Using eggshells in your garden is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to enhance the growth and health of your plants. The calcium carbonate in eggshells provides essential nutrients to the soil, making it a great natural alternative to store-bought fertilizers.

Benefits of Using Eggshells in the Garden:

Improving soil quality

Eggshells are rich in calcium, which helps to improve soil structure and fertility. Calcium is crucial for the growth and development of plant roots, stems, and leaves. By adding eggshells to the soil, you can provide your plants with a steady supply of this vital nutrient.

Deterring pests

Eggshells can also be used to deter pests in the garden. Crushed eggshells placed around the base of plants can help keep snails and slugs at bay. The sharp edges of the shells make it difficult for pests to move around the plant, discouraging them from feeding on your garden’s greenery.

Promoting seed germination

When starting seeds, eggshells can be used to provide the seeds with the necessary support and protection they need to grow. Simply fill an eggshell with soil and place the seed inside. When the seed germinates and begins to grow, the eggshell will naturally decompose, providing the plant with extra nutrients.

Boosting compost

Eggshells are a great addition to your compost pile. They provide the compost with important nutrients and minerals that are necessary for healthy plant growth. Eggshells also help to maintain the proper balance of carbon and nitrogen in the compost pile, which is essential for the composting process.

How to use Eggshells in the Garden

1. Crush eggshells into small pieces and sprinkle them around the base of plants.
2. Mix crushed eggshells into the soil when planting.
3. Add eggshells to your compost pile.
4. Use whole eggshells to start seeds by filling them with soil and placing seeds inside.

Additional Things Eggshells Can Do

Aiding in Drainage

Eggshells can be added to the bottom of plant pots to aid in drainage and prevent over-watering. The small holes in the eggshells allow for excess water to drain out, preventing water from getting trapped in the soil and causing root rot.

Reducing Plant Diseases

Calcium is also important in helping plants resist diseases and pests. By adding eggshells to the soil, you can help strengthen the plant’s cell walls and reduce the risk of diseases like blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

Reusing eggshells

Not only are eggshells an eco-friendly solution for your garden, but they also provide a great opportunity to reuse a household waste product. Instead of throwing away eggshells, you can use them to improve the health of your plants and reduce your impact on the environment.

Using caution with eggshells

While eggshells are a great solution for your garden, it is important to use caution when adding them to the soil. Raw eggshells can contain salmonella bacteria, so it is important to bake them in the oven at 200°F for 10 minutes before using them in the garden. Additionally, too much calcium can cause an imbalance in soil pH levels, so it is important to use eggshells in moderation.

Which plants like egg shells?