Eggshells are often thrown away without a second thought. But when it comes to home gardening, these humble “wastes” could become game changers. In this article, I will explore the less-obvious potential of eggshells in the garden and how you can use them to cultivate a number of plant-health-boosting benefits.
The primary component of eggshells is calcium carbonate. This compound is a vital ingredient for plants; they need it to form structures like cell walls, and a deficiency can cause problems such as blossom end rot in tomatoes. Ground eggshells serve as a slow-release form of calcium, and they contain several other valuable minerals. Making a simple, fertilizing powder from eggshells is easy. You just have to dry the shells, crush them, and work them into the soil. You can use a blender for this task, but the most effective method for grinding eggshells has always been the mortar and pestle. The fertilizing powder can be applied in small amounts.
Eggshells can work as a natural deterrent against certain garden pests. The crushed, jagged edges of the shells make a good line of defense against pesky pests like slugs and snails that like to munch on tender shoots. If you get a good enough crush on the shells, and on enough of them that they provide a decent line of defense, then you might just make your plants a no-munch zone.
Biodegradable starting pots for seeds can be made from eggshells. Fill half an eggshell with potting soil, and then sow your seeds in it. Prop the shells up in an egg carton and place them somewhere sunny. When it comes time to transplant, just crush the shell slightly and put both the shell and the plant into the garden. The shell’s calcium will do the plant good.
