Untitled in Eggshells in the Garden

By plantladylin
February 21, 2012

Crushed Eggshells: Wash eggshells thoroughly, crush and sprinkle atop the soil beneath plants to repel slugs. Cleaned, crushed eggshells are also a great source of calcium for backyard birds, mix in with birdseed or place in an old pie tin and place in the garden.

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ViolaAnn

Feb 27, 2012 6:25 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann
Ottawa, ON Canada (Zone 5a)

I do this, but I'm not really convinced it works. DOES help with the ph of the soil though.

Ann

Pictures of all my hostas, updated annually and tracked since 2008 begin at: https://violaann.smugmug.com/G...

| @ViolaAnn | Post #220215 (1)

lovemyhouse

Jan 21, 2014 2:38 PM CST

Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi

With all the people in my house these days, we go through a lot of eggs. Getting quite a bucket full of the crushed shells waiting for Spring.

It’s okay to not know all the answers.

| @lovemyhouse | Post #542759 (2)

wheetie67

May 3, 2016 9:08 AM CST

Name: Linda
Southern NJ (Zone 7a)

Hi Lin!

I was scrolling thru the various subjects of NGA and I came across your post about the use of egg shells in the garden and feeding birds. I can't wait to use it! Thank you!

Linda

| @wheetie67 | Post #1136811 (3)

plantladylin

May 5, 2016 1:49 PM CST

Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Linda, you are very welcome! It's been a long time since I've crushed eggshells for the backyard birds ... as I get older, I get lazier.

In my tip, I forgot to include information about baking the eggshells before crushing them. It's a good idea to bake them (250ºF) for five or ten minutes and then letting them cool before crushing them. I have done it without baking but they should be cleaned thoroughly first.

~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!

| @plantladylin | Post #1139298 (4)

Bonehead

May 5, 2016 2:17 PM CST

Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)

Why do you clean them and/or cook them?

I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.

| @Bonehead | Post #1139314 (5)

Frillylily

May 5, 2016 2:23 PM CST

Missouri (Zone 6a)

yeah, I'm wondering why it would matter?

| @Frillylily | Post #1139316 (6)

plantladylin

May 6, 2016 2:15 PM CST

Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Bonehead said:Why do you clean them and/or cook them?

I'm assuming it's to kill any potential bacteria but I'm so lazy that most of the time I wash, rinse well, let dry and place them in a zip lok bag where I roll them with a rolling pin to crush them up.

~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!

| @plantladylin | Post #1140348 (7)

Bonehead

May 6, 2016 3:36 PM CST

Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)

I wouldn't call that lazy! Sheesh, I'm lucky if I crush them between my hands before tossing, although mostly they just go back to the chickens.

I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.

| @Bonehead | Post #1140420 (8)