Don’t toss those eggshells! Here’s why you should keep them
Let’s take a closer look at each advantage and investigate the science and real-world uses of eggshells in more detail:
- Natural Repellent for Insect
Because they eat on plants and flowers, pests like slugs, worms, and snails can cause havoc in your garden. Eggshells can act as an excellent deterrent against these pests.
These pests’ fragile bodies can be physically harmed by the jagged, sharp edges of shattered eggshells. The sharp edges can hurt or hurt them when they try to crawl over the eggshells, which discourages them from moving forward. Adding to the sensory barrier, some bugs may find the smell of eggshells offensive.
Application: Rinse the eggshells well to get rid of any egg residue that could attract bugs or cause them to deteriorate before using them as an insect repellant.
Crush the shells into coarse, tiny pieces after cleaning. Disperse these fragments to create a barrier of protection around the base of your plants.
This is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly method that won’t harm your plants or helpful insects.
- A deterrent for deer
In many gardens, deer can be a serious issue, particularly in areas close to woodland areas where deer populations are higher. They can eat a vast range of plants and do a great deal of harm.
Due to their excellent sense of smell, deer might be discouraged from entering gardens by particular aromas.
Deer may be less inclined to enter regions containing eggshells due to the disagreeable scent of the shells.
Application: Crush the eggshells and scatter them around plants that are especially susceptible to deer damage, like in the bug deterrent technique.
Eggshells can be a part of a multifaceted strategy for deer deterrent, together with other techniques like fencing or deer-resistant vegetation, even though they might not be a perfect answer on their own.
- Avian Cuisine
For birds to have strong bones and lay robust eggs, they require calcium, which is abundant in eggshells. You may increase the biodiversity of your garden and aid in pest control by luring birds into it with eggshells.
To produce eggshells and keep their bones strong, birds need calcium. They look for naturally occurring calcium supplies in the nature, including limestone or snail shells.
Application: Rinse eggshells well and bake for about 10 minutes at a low temperature (250°F or 120°C) in the oven to prepare them for birds.
In addition to making the shells brittle and easier for birds to eat, this sterilises them. After baking, break up the shells into little pieces and place them where birds can find them, such as on the ground or in bird feeders.
- Improving Soil Health
Rich in calcium carbonate, eggshells can enhance the health and structure of soil.
By increasing pH, calcium carbonate from eggshells aids in neutralising acidic soils. Many plants that prefer a less acidic environment can benefit from the soil being more alkaline as a result of this.
A higher pH in the soil can increase nutrient availability, which can benefit plant health and growth.
Application: Using a food processor or mortar and pestle, grind eggshells into a fine powder for use as a soil amendment. Add the crushed shells to your compost pile or incorporate them into the soil surrounding your plants. As the eggshells decompose, calcium and other trace minerals will be released into the soil.
- Nutritious Vegetables
Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are among the vegetables that are susceptible to calcium deficits, which can result in diseases like blossom end rot.
In developing fruits, a deficiency of calcium leads to blossom end rot. For fruits to mature properly and for cell walls to form, calcium is necessary.
Application: Mix broken eggshells into the soil around the base of your vegetable plants to stop blossom end rot.
The shells will eventually break down and release calcium slowly. Moreover, crushed eggshells can be steeped in water for several days to provide a liquid calcium supplement. This water can then be used to irrigate plants.
- Changing the pH Levels in Potted Plants Eggshells are a great addition for potted plants, especially when it comes to controlling the pH of the soil.
Over time, factors including fertiliser use and water quality can cause the limited soil environment in pots to become acidic. By raising the pH of the soil and making it more alkaline, adding eggshells can help offset this acidity.
Application: Add the crushed eggshells to the potting soil by mixing them into a fine powder. You can also use crushed shells soaked in water for several days to make eggshell tea,
which you can use to water your plants for instant results. This is especially helpful for potted plants, as their growth depends on higher pH values.
- Improved Decomposition
Eggshells are a great supplement to compost piles since they provide vital nutrients and minerals that raise the compost’s quality.
As eggshells break down gradually, calcium and other trace elements are released steadily, enhancing compost. Plant health and soil fertility depend on these nutrients.
Application: Rinse eggshells to get rid of any leftover egg residue, then break them up into small pieces before putting them to your compost.
This makes them more surface-area-rich, which speeds up their breakdown. Add the crushed shells and any organic material to your compost container or pile. The eggshells will decompose and enrich your compost with beneficial minerals over time.
summary
Adding eggshells to your gardening regimen can help with a variety of issues, such as compost enhancement, wildlife support, and pest management. With the help of some easy, sustainable techniques,
you can maximise the use of this frequently disregarded resource while cutting waste and encouraging a more vibrant, healthier garden. You may contribute to a more sustainable and fruitful gardening experience by learning and using these strategies to repurpose common kitchen waste into useful gardening equipment.
