It's no secret that eggs, full of protein, minerals, and vitamins, are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. Across the globe, the average person consumes about 150-200 eggs a year. That's over a trillion eggs! Now ask yourself this: "What happens to all those eggshells?"
A chicken egg shell is about 96% calcium carbonate crystals which are bound together by proteins. Common commercial methods for disposing of eggshells include using them as fertilizers or as a source of calcium in animal feed, but the average consumer puts them in the trashcan or down the garbage disposal. If you're one of these people, please read on to discover six creative uses for eggshells that will benefit your garden.
1. Fertilizer
Eggshells are a brilliant way to add calcium to your compost. Since eggshells have a very high surface area to volume ratio, they decompose very quickly. You don't even have to worry about sterilizing them or grinding them up - just toss your shells on the pile or into the barrel and turn them under. Alternately, you can add crumbled eggshells directly to the bottom of your planting holes in the spring.
During the winter, distribute the shells over the plot of land where you will be planting come springtime. Once the ground warms up, you can till the shells into the soil. If you don't like the idea of having eggshells on the ground all winter, you can also clean and store the shells until planting season arrives.
While calcium is considered to be a secondary nutrient for plants, your garden will definitely appreciate the added minerals, especially if you're growing tomatoes and peppers as these plants are easily affected by calcium deficiencies.
2. Pest-Deterrent
If you have a problem with slugs or snails, try sprinkling coarsely-crumbled eggshells around the plants that these pests like to dine on. The shells' sharp edges abrade the sensitive feet of any land mollusk that attempts to cross the barrier.
3. Feed the Birds
Both before and after laying eggs, mother birds need lots of calcium in their diets. Sterilize your eggshells by baking them at around 120 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes so the shells are dry, but not brown on the inside. Then crumble your eggshells well and place them outdoors (in a feeder or even just on the ground) during the spring and summer.
You can also mix the eggshell crumbles with birdseed, suet, or mealworms in a bird feeder. Either way, these mother birds might just thank you by also dining on any pests that could be damaging your garden.
4. Seed-Starter Pots
5. Repel Deer
If you have deer visiting your garden and munching on your precious plants every night, scatter some eggshells around the plants that they like best. Deer tend to stay away from areas that smell like raw eggs. Just be careful when using this method as the smell may actually attract rodents who like to eat eggs.
6. Aesthetic Value
Finely ground eggshells can be very pretty. If you have a large family or simply eat a lot of eggs, boil your shells to sterilize them, crumble, then drop into a large glass jar for storage. Once you have collected enough shell pieces, sprinkle them around and between your plants. Not only will the eggshells help control pests and eventually add calcium back to the soil, the white color can also bring a beautiful accent to your garden.
Source: naturallivingideas
13 Great Tips That'll Ensure Your Container Pots Thrive
If you struggle to keep your container plants alive then you're definitely doing something wrong. Here are 13 great tips that you should heed!
7 Fantastic Ways to Use Tea Bags in Your Garden
Before you dump your tea bags you should be aware that they can come in handy in the garden. Here are 7 great ways you can use tea bags in your garden.
Woah! Who Knew Baby Powder Was This Useful in the Garden?
If you have excess baby powder lying around your house, you'll be pleased to know that it has plenty of uses in the garden.
This is the Ultimate Guide to Cleaning All Your Stuff!
How do you decide when to clean certain items? This guide will reveal all!
Here's Why You Should Throw Out Your Old Mattress!
Many of us don't change our mattress unless it's obviously broken. However, an old mattress can wreak havoc on your health. Here's how!
10 Ideal Plants to Fill Up Empty Space in Your Garden
If your yard or garden has a lot of empty space, then why not add some evergreen ground cover plants to give it some extra character?
Use This Genius Method to Revive Dirty White Socks
In this article, we’ll show you how to remove the dirt, the staining, and the greyness from white socks with regular home supplies.
Are They LIARS? 7 Signs to Look For
A regular person lies to prevent hurting someone's feelings or to protect themselves, but that's not the case when it comes to a compulsive liar...
How to Steer Clear of Germs While Grocery Shopping
Who knew grocery stores would become high-risk environments one day? This article explains how to shop safely during the COVID-19 epidemic
Got Dark Knees and Elbows? 8 Remedies That'll Help
Put an end to dark knees and elbows with these 8 natural remedies.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
Eye Wrinkles Can Be Smoothed. Just Use These Methods...
Although they are often called "laugh lines," eye-wrinkles don't make us smile or laugh. With these 10 natural remedies, you can easily eliminate them.
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
How to Deal With an Angry Person in Your Life
This is a video guide to show you how to deal with an angry person in the best way possible.
Guide: Did You Know About These Extra Uses?
This collection features the best tips and alternative uses for many of your household items. Each of these posts has a lot of information for alternative uses to make your lives easier.
How to Choose a Moisturizer That Will Actually Work
Choosing the right moisturizer can be tricky. To make things easier, we listed the most important ingredients to look for in an effective moisturizer.
Mouthwash Can Do So Much More Than Freshen Your Breath
Did you know mouthwash is the number 1 household product you should keep at hand? Discover its fantastic multiple uses to see why.
Choose the Healthiest Breakfast Cereal With These Tips
Choose the healthiest breakfast cereal with these tips.
When Out Shopping, Avoid These 8 Generic Foods!
Generic foods are becoming more and more popular, but are they always a bargain? Here are 8 foods you should never buy generic.
5 Sitting Positions and What They Say About You
This guide will help you understand the meaning behind five common sitting positions that you may encounter in your daily life.
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
Make Your Life Easier With 20 Brilliant Tips!
A collection of brilliant tips that you can find use for every single day.
Baking is Now a Breeze Thanks to These Terrific Tips!
Never flop a cake again. These handy charts can help you with any baking problem you might find yourself facing.
WARNING: If You Love Dogs, This Information is Vital
If you're a dog lover, you should spread this information around. Don't feed dogs these common foods!
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
From being a natural flea remedy to cleaning the aquarium, vinegar proves to be an excellent option for taking care of your pets.
This Is Why You Should Never Throw Away Your Lemon Peels
25 reasons why you should definitely keep your lemon peels.
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
Who Knew Duct Tape Prevents Blisters & Has All These Uses!
Is any one object more multitasking than duct tape? We really doubt that, and here are just 18 genius ways you can start using it right away
Those Stickers On Your Produce Can Tell You an Awful Lot!
The stickers that you find on fruit and vegetables can tell you an awful lot about how the produce was grown. Read on to find out more.
Keep Your Bananas Fresh Much Longer With These Hacks
Don't want your bananas to ripen too fast? These tips will help keep them fresh and flavorful for longer.
10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mice In Your House!
There are ways to deal with a mice infestation in your home in an efficient and humane way.
20 Unexpected Things You Can Plant in February
You’d be surprised at just how many plants you can get planted in February!
Do This to Revive a Drying Houseplant
Whenever one of your houseplants suddenly looks ill, do this trick.
6 Popular Grocery Items You Should Definitely Stop Buying
Many companies have become masters at selling us stuff we don't need. Here are some of the worst offenders.
9 Tips to Keep Your Sweater from Shedding This Winter
Winter is almost here, and it’s time to protect your sweaters from shedding.
15 Tricks Restaurants Don't Want You to Know About
Ever go into a restaurant planning to stay in budget, only to find out that by the end of the night, you've gone way above it? Now you'll know why.
Discover 6 Easy Ways to Clean a Home with Hydrogen Peroxide
We all want to see our homes clean and sparkling, and it turns out that with hydrogen peroxide - something we all have at home- this can be done with ease!
These Common Habits Make Our Anxiety Worse
Experts believe that certain attitudes and habits are amplifying your stress levels.
Follow These 3 Easy Steps to Ripen an Avocado in Minutes
This foolproof trick will make your rock hard avocado soft and creamy in mere minutes. Just follow these simple instructions...
What Are the Healthiest Cooking Oils? Find Out Here!
With so many oils available in shops nowadays, it's tricky to know which one to buy. This article gives you 9 of the healthiest oils on the market today,
7 AARP Benefits Every Senior Should Take Advantage Of
Have an AAARP membership? You may not know of these little-known benefits.
These Stunning Photos of Women in the 1940s Take Me Back
Not much is known about talented Russian Photographer Nina Leen. Throughout her career she produced memorable work, some of which you are about to see here.
WATCH: 10 Microwave Tips You've Never Heard Of
These 10 tips will help you get the very best out of your microwave - replenish old food, keep it clean and simply master it!
6 Harmful Types of Mold That Could Be Growing in Your Home
It’s important to identify and prevent these dangerous types of mold in the house.
Make Your Garden As Beautiful as Can be With Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are highly rich in nutrients, and this means that they're great for helping flowers and trees to grow beautifully and healthily. Read these 15 tips.
Active Stretching: What It Is and How To Do It
Active stretching is a great way to improve flexibility and mobility. Here's how it differs form other forms of stretching and a few useful examples.
Here's What You Do With Your Leftover Plastic Spoons!
I never thought there was so much to do with this simple single-use utensil.