I have always found pleasure in growing my own food a passion deeply rooted in my family. Gardening is a journey full of ups and downs, but the benefits of working the soil make every challenge worthwhile. When my husband’s parents first taught us about organic gardening we quickly realized the value of using natural materials. One of the best-kept secrets? Eggshells! Whether you’re an expert or a professional gardener they can be a game-changer in your garden. From improving soil health to keeping pests at bay these kitchen scraps offer a rich source of nutrients.
I first started collecting eggshells after reading an article on Real Farmacy that touted their usefulness in composting and as a fertilizer. Though they compost slowly they eventually break down and add essential minerals to the bin. Folks have tried using them as mulch to feed plants stop weeds and keep unwanted pests away some ideas work better than others!
A funny moment happens when a guest visits my home, opens my bottom oven and is greeted by a big bowl of drying crushed shells. They invariably ask, “Why are there eggshells in here?” I give them an abbreviated version of my gardening adventures and their reaction is usually an amused “Oh…” It’s one of those quirky lessons you only learn through experience proving that gardening is always a journey of learning curves.
How Eggshells Have Benefited Our Gardening Journey
My father-in-law once taught us the true value of gardening, not just as a hobby but as a way to sustain life. While raising chickens and growing fresh produce we built two high-tunnel greenhouses in the back of our home ensuring a full supply of organic crops.
Our 1-acre garden in the backyard was a space of pure goodness where everything was managed carefully and almost completely by HAND. It took a lot of work but through trial and experience, we learned the best way to make the most of natural resources proving that even simple methods can lead to a thriving garden.
These are some valuable gardening insights I’ve gained over time that have greatly benefited us:
1. Begin with a Practical Size:
It’s easy to get excited about gardening and want to plant everything at once, but trust me, starting with a smaller, more manageable garden is the best way to go. I learned this the hard way when we overcommitted to our CSA and struggled to keep up. The key is to begin with a small plot and gradually expand as you build more experience and confidence in your gardening skills
2.Design Your Garden Space:
Before planting, take the time to map out where each crop should go to make the most of your space. Every plant needs the right amount of room to grow properly or it may struggle. For instance, tomatoes require at least 2′ of spacing between them while cucumbers without a trellis will spread out to a 4’x4′ footprint. That’s a lot more than most people think so planning ahead can help prevent overcrowding and ensure healthier plants.
3. Experiment with Companion Planting:
Some plants thrive when planted together, creating a balanced environment that benefits them both. Pairing tomatoes with basil is a great example, as basil can help deter pests naturally. If you want a healthier garden take the time to research check planting charts and discover which combinations work best. Thoughtful planning ensures your crops grow stronger while reducing the need for chemical interventions.
4. Think About Soil Depth:
When you’re planting crops like tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, or watermelon, it’s important to think about the soil depth. These plants need deep soil to grow to their full potential. A good bed or container should be at least 24–36 inches deep or more providing extra room for the roots to spread and develop properly. This is key to ensuring healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. Without enough space plants can’t reach their full potential.
5. Opt for Raised Beds or Containers:
If you have limited space or poor soil quality using raised beds or containers is a fantastic option. They provide better drainage and allow you to control the soil quality ensuring healthier plants. Plus, they are easier to maintain making gardening more manageable. I switched to container gardening and I absolutely love how convenient it is for growing fresh produce in a small area.
6. Water Efficiently:
Consistent watering is the key to keeping plants healthy especially during hot spells. It’s best to water at the base of your plants early in the day to avoid evaporation and ensure deep moisture absorption.
Most plants need about 1-2 inches per week but be mindful of overwatering which can lead to root rot. On the other hand underwatering can cause wilting making it important to strike the right balance for strong, thriving plants.
7. Provide Nutrients for Your Plants:
Not all plants need regular fertilizing, but if your soil is lacking nutrients, giving your crops a boost can make a big difference. Choosing the right fertilizer is important so always check the type you’re using and follow the proper guidelines.
One of the best natural fertilizers is chicken manure just compost the litter and put it around your plants for healthier growth. If you’re unsure refer to a guide to ensure you’re feeding your garden the right way.
Eggshells in Gardening: An Easy and Cost-Free Solution
One important part of my gardening routine is utilizing eggshells from our flocks’ eggs to enrich the soil. They are a great source of essential minerals like calcium phosphorus and magnesium which help improve plant health.
The best part is that this method is practically free though of course we still need to feed our chickens and provide proper care to keep them happy and producing strong laying hens. But when used wisely eggshells offer a sustainable way to nourish plants making them a valuable resource for any gardener. That’s the whole point of reusing natural materials in a smart way!
Best Ways to Use Eggshells in Your Garden
I enjoy kickstarting my garden by incorporating eggshells and reusing egg cartons as seed starters. It’s a simple and efficient method to provide nutrients to plants while minimizing waste!
Here’s my step-by-step approach to using eggshells in the garden:
- Clean the Eggshells – After cracking eggs give the shells a quick rinse to remove any remaining egg before using them in your garden. This helps prevent odors and keeps your plants safe from unwanted bacteria.
- Let the Eggshells Dry – After rinsing place the rinsed shells in a bowl or jar and let them air dry completely. Keep adding more until you’ve collected enough to use in your garden.
- Break the Eggshells into Pieces – Once dry, lightly crush the eggshells to break them down into small pieces. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just enough to help them decompose faster in the soil.
- Get Your Garden Ready – When planting seeds, sprinkle crushed shells into the holes before adding the seeds. These eggshells provide important nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium which are essential for healthy plant growth. This simple step helps strengthen roots and improve soil quality naturally.
- Organic Pest Repellent – The sharp edges of eggshells act as a natural pest deterrent helping to keep critters away from your plants. When sprinkled around they create a barrier that prevents pests from reaching and protecting roots from damage.
Eggshells offer a simple and powerful way to enrich your garden while reducing waste and utilizing available resources. It’s a practical and rewarding solution that I love!
Plants That Benefit from Eggshells
I once walked into my garden and felt completely discouraged when I noticed black spots forming on the bottom of my tomatoes. These big juicy tomatoes looked like they had been in a fight. After some research, I discovered that this issue, known as end rot, happens due to a lack of calcium in the soil. Without enough calcium plants struggle to develop properly leading to unhealthy growth and poor fruit production.
Crushed eggshells act as a natural boost to ensure that calcium is available to the plants, improving the soil’s nutrients for healthy fruit. There are multiple crops that benefit from eggshells including peppers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, flowers, strawberries and squash. These are just a few examples of plants that thrive when given an extra dose of calcium.
Birds Benefit From Ground Eggshells, Too!
Ground eggshells can be a great source of calcium a crucial nutrient for birds especially for females during breeding. The calcium carbonate in the eggs helps them produce strong eggshells which are essential for healthy egg-laying. If birds don’t get enough calcium in their diet they may struggle to produce strong eggs which can lead to breakage or even health problems. By adding ground eggshells to their food birds can replenish their calcium stores and keep healthy.
Birds don’t have teeth to chew their food but they have a specialized part of their stomach called the gizzard, which helps them grind food. Small stones, sand or gritty substances like crushed eggshells act as grit helping birds digest their food more effectively. To use eggshells safely they should be sterilized by baking at a low temperature for about 20 minutes. Once cool they can be finely crushed and either placed in a feeder or scattered on the ground.
Should You Crush Eggshells or Leave Them Whole?
There are different schools of thought when it comes to using eggshells in the garden. If you’re dealing with a problem in your plants, pulverizing the shells into an easy-to-absorb powder makes the most sense. This method is quick and efficient allowing the shells to break down faster.
On the other hand if you’re using the shells for pest control or just to get things started crushing them into little pieces works well. This way, the shells will decompose slowly in the soil while continuing to keep pests away from the plants.
Pros and Cons of Using Eggshells for Your Garden and Chickens
Pros:
- Natural source of calcium: Eggshells provide calcium, essential for both plant and chicken health.
- Pest deterrent: Crushed eggshells act as a natural pest repellent in your garden.
- Nutrient-rich: Eggshells contain magnesium phosphorus and other beneficial minerals for plants.
- Eco-friendly: Using eggshells reduces waste making it a sustainable practice for both gardening and feeding chickens.
- Improves soil health: Ground eggshells help balance soil pH, encouraging better plant growth.
Cons:
- Takes time to break down: Eggshells decompose slowly, requiring patience for full benefits.
- Requires sterilization: Eggshells must be sterilized to avoid potential bacteria when using them for chickens.
- Can attract pests: If not used properly, eggshells can attract unwanted pests like rodents.
- Not suitable for all plants: Some plants may not benefit from eggshells as they prefer different soil conditions.
- Labor-intensive: Crushing and preparing eggshells for use in the garden or for feeding chickens can be time-consuming.
Eggshells: Beneficial for Chickens as Well!
Eggshells are not only beneficial for your garden but also a great addition to your chickens’ diet. They provide a calcium-rich source that is crucial for healthy egg production. An adult laying hen needs about 4-5g of calcium daily and eggshells are an excellent way to meet this requirement. My chickens absolutely gobble up their own eggshells and I even incorporate them into their feeding plan. It’s a simple sustainable way to provide the necessary nutrients while reducing wasted resources. I love how this helps ensure the girls are getting everything they need and the crushed shells in a jar on the counter even look pretty!
