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
Make a Difference to Your Local Wildlife with These Tips!
If you have a garden you can make a huge difference to the local wildlife. Here are some easy tips that will help you help the wildlife in your backyard.
If You Ever Get Stung by a Jellyfish, Here's What to Do!
If you're at the beach this summer and happen to get stung by a jellyfish, here's what you should do!
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.
11 Simple Health Hacks to Change Your Life for the Better
To get healthy quick, all we need to do is follow these instant health upgrades. Take a look!
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.
Older Than 40? These Tips Will Help You Get a Beach Body!
The big 40 sneaks up on us. All of a sudden, it’s much easier to gain weight and much harder to lose it. Here's how to get a beach body when you're 40 or older.
10 Great Extra Uses for Charcoal Briquettes
Here's how you can put those extra charcoal briquettes to good use at home.
7 Tips to Maintaining a Life-Long Friendship
Advice from life-long friends about how to maintain a strong friendship.
Driving in Bad Weather Needn't Be Dangerous with These Tips
Drive safely in bad weather by bearing in mind these six essential tips.
This Tip Collection is Amazingly Helpful!
You’ll be pleased to hear there are old wives' tales that are grounded in fact. This list of 9 true tales will help you get your house spic and span!
Some Great and Cheap Ways You Can Remove Rust from Metal
Where's there's metal, there's rust - it's an ever annoying problem. These remedies allow you to restore rusty items without using harmful chemicals!
13 Things to Do Immediately if Your Home Has Been Burgled
Has your house been broken into recently? This guide will help.
Do You Know When to Go to Bed? Just Follow Our Tips
A great way to boost your health is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Here are 10 bedtime rituals that are sure to get you in the mood to sleep.
Guide: Stay Warm This Winter Without that Big Power Bill!
21 creative ideas to warming your house without spending additional money.
Shocking! This is What the Bar Code on Produce Means
What do the stickers on your produce mean? Find out here.
16 Extraordinary Table Salt Uses That No One Knows About
Salt is one of nature's most vital things, but did you know how useful it really can be? Here are 16 benefits of using salt around the house.
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!
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
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...
Who Knew That Aluminum Foil Had So Many Extra Uses?!
How much use do you get out of your aluminum foil roll? Not much? Here are 16 extra uses you have probably never heard of.
The Best Natural Methods to Controlling Excess Sweat
While sweating can be good for you, sometimes it can be embarrassing and cause a foul odor. Discover natural ways to prevent excess sweating.
Tired of Feeling Angry? Use the Following Pressure Points
Learn the pressure points that help relieve feelings of frustration, anger, and worry.
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.
Learn the Self-Massage That Treats Back And Neck Pain
Many muscle aches, including back and neck pain, result from muscle bonds called "trigger points" - today you'll learn how to identify and treat these points.
5 Life-Changing Tips for Investing In Your 50+ Years
Looking to secure your cash as retirement approaches? Check out these top five investment accounts for individuals over 50.
I Can't Believe I Never Knew About these Food Hacks
Your cooking experience is about to become a breeze with these useful tricks!
15 Differences between Men and Women That Explain a Lot
Discover surprising biological differences between men and women, which can explain many things you thought about both sexes.
GUIDE: Are You Feeding Your Cat Right?
To help cat owners with this task, we've created a guide on the recommended daily amount and type of food to feed their cats.
11 Household Lifehacks You Should Never Forget
These 11 tips are complete life savers!
Shoe Discomfort? 10 Ways to Tie Your Shoes that Offer Relief
By lacing your shoes correctly, you can reduce pressure on certain areas of your feet and enjoy a more comfortable run in any pair of shoes
11 Reasons Why Garlic Is a Gardener's Best Friend
Not only is garlic extremely tasty, but it is also very effective in the garden. Check out its uses here.
Spruce Up Your Dinner Table With These Napkin Techniques
Holidays are always a time of cheer. Spruce up your dining table with these 8 easy-to-try napkin techniques.
These 10 Rocks May Be Pretty, But They're Also Deadly!
They look pretty but they're deadly. These surprising crystals and rocks look beautiful from afar but are deadly up close.
15 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Spotless With Ease
Tips and tricks that'll help you keep your home clean with speed and ease.
7 Proven Techniques for Testing & Fixing Christmas Lights
Test your holiday lights with these easy fixes.
11 Mistakes Any DIY-er Should Avoid
Before you begin your long awaited project, take a look at these common DIY mistakes and make sure you’re not making any of them along the way.
Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels! They Have Some Great Uses
Before you throw throw away the next banana peel into the trash can, read about the great ways it can be used.
WARNING! This Common Ingredient Could Be Fatal to Cats!
They say that curiosity killed the cat, but new studies now show that certain essential oils may kill your cats too if you're not careful. Learn why here...
Olive Oil Has so Many Different Uses - Here Are 25 of Them
Olive oil has so many different uses it's unreal. Here are 25 uses of olive oil that you may not have heard of!
Save a Fortune With These Natural DIY Household Recipes
Keep your home chemical free and save money on household detergents. Here are three natural DIY recipes you've got to try.
The Best Peeling and Cutting Advice From Expert Chefs
Learn to peel and cut your food in new and beautiful ways.
Waste No More: 6 Great Ways to Use Fruit & Veggie Peels
If you want to save both money and reduce your waste, remember these 6 practical and delicious ideas for what you can do to utilize your fruit and vegetable leftovers to the max.
Professional Chefs Swear by These Clever Cooking Hacks
We can all probably agree that one cannot possibly know too many cooking hacks, as these clever little hints always help us save precious time!
WATCH: 7 Alternative Uses of Rice That Will Surprise You
Rice isn't just a delicious and wholesome grain, it's got a whole host of other surprising uses...
14 Surprising Foods You Can Indulge Without Gaining Weight
Here are 14 nutritious foods you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty or afraid that you’ll gain weight. Enjoy!
Know Your Kitchen Tools - the Uses for Every Type of Paper
Learn when to use (and when to avoid) each type of kitchen paper, aluminum foil, cling film, and all other wrapping mediums.
Tutorial: How to Slice EVERY Type of Fruit!
Learn how to slice over 30 different fruit through this easy and fun tutorial video.