Eggshells are a common kitchen waste product, but they can be put to good use in the garden. In fact, eggshells are a great source of calcium and other nutrients that can help your plants thrive.
Here are 6 ways to use eggshells in your garden:
- Add eggshells to potting soil. When you’re potting up new plants, add a handful of crushed eggshells to the potting mix. The eggshells will provide calcium and other nutrients that your plants need to grow strong and healthy.
- Use eggshells as a fertilizer. Eggshells can be added to your compost pile or used as a slow-release fertilizer. To make a slow-release fertilizer, crush eggshells into a fine powder and sprinkle them around the base of your plants. The eggshells will release calcium and other nutrients over time, helping your plants to grow strong and healthy.
- Use eggshells to deter slugs and snails. Slugs and snails are a common problem in gardens, but eggshells can help to deter them. The sharp edges of the eggshells will make it difficult for slugs and snails to crawl across them. To deter slugs and snails, sprinkle crushed eggshells around the base of your plants.
- Use eggshells to improve drainage. If you have plants that are prone to root rot, you can improve drainage by adding eggshells to the soil. Eggshells help to aerate the soil and improve water drainage, which can help to prevent root rot. To improve drainage, add a layer of crushed eggshells to the bottom of your plant pots or to the soil around your plants.
- Use eggshells to start seeds. Eggshells can be used to start seeds indoors. To start seeds in eggshells, simply rinse the eggshells and fill them with a potting mix. Plant the seeds in the eggshells and place them in a sunny spot. Once the seedlings have sprouted, you can transplant them into your garden.
- Use eggshells to make eggshell tea. Eggshell tea is a natural fertilizer that can help to boost the growth of your plants. To make eggshell tea, simply crush eggshells into a fine powder and steep them in water for 24 hours. Strain the tea and then water your plants with it. Eggshell tea is a great way to provide your plants with calcium and other nutrients.
Here are some additional tips for using eggshells in your garden:
- Always rinse eggshells thoroughly before using them in the garden. This will help to remove any bacteria or dirt that could harm your plants.
- If you’re using eggshells as a fertilizer, be sure to crush them into a fine powder. This will help the eggshells to break down more quickly and release their nutrients into the soil.
- When using eggshells to deter slugs and snails, be sure to sprinkle them around the base of your plants in a thick layer. This will help to create a barrier that slugs and snails will be unable to cross.
- If you’re using eggshells to improve drainage, be sure to add them to the bottom of your plant pots or to the soil around your plants in a layer that is about 1 inch thick. This will help to create aeration and drainage without compacting the soil.
Eggshells are a great way to add nutrients and improve the drainage of your garden soil. With a little creativity, you can find many ways to use eggshells in your garden.