Here’s why you want to place eggshells around your plants.

 

🌱 1. Natural Calcium Boost for Soil

Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate—the same substance found in agricultural lime. When they break down, they enrich the soil with calcium, which is essential for:

• Strong plant cell walls

• Healthy root development

• Preventing blossom-end rot in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants

Tip: Crush shells finely or grind them into a powder to help them decompose faster and release calcium efficiently.

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🐌 2. Repels Slugs and Snails

Crushed eggshells have sharp, jagged edges that deter soft-bodied pests like:

• Slugs

• Snails

• Cutworms

Sprinkling a circle of coarse, dry shells around the base of your plants can form a barrier pests don't want to cross.

⚠️ Note: Effectiveness may decrease after rain or heavy watering—reapply as needed.

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♻️ 3. Reduces Kitchen Waste

Instead of tossing your eggshells, reuse them in the garden. It's an easy way to:

• Recycle kitchen scraps

• Reduce landfill waste

• Create a zero-waste gardening habit

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🌼 4. Improves Soil Structure

When mixed into heavy or clay soils, crushed eggshells add texture, helping:

• Improve aeration

• Enhance drainage

• Support microbial activity

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🌱 5. Great for Composting

Eggshells can go straight into your compost pile. Though they break down slowly, they:

• Add calcium and trace minerals

• Balance pH (especially useful if your compost is too acidic)

• Support earthworms and beneficial microbes

🔄 For faster breakdown, rinse, dry, and crush before adding to compost.

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🌿 6. Biodegradable Seed Starters

Use eggshell halves as mini seed-starting pots:

1. Rinse shells and poke a small drainage hole

2. Fill with potting mix and seeds

3. Transplant directly into the ground—shell and all!

The shell naturally breaks down and nourishes the young plant.

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🧪 Bonus: Natural pH Buffer

If your garden soil is too acidic, eggshells can act as a mild alkaline buffer, raising the pH over time. This helps balance nutrients and reduce toxicity for plants sensitive to low pH.

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🛑 Things to Watch Out For

• Not a quick fix: Eggshells decompose slowly unless ground to a powder

• Rodents: Dirty shells may attract pests—always rinse before use

• Not ideal for all plants: Avoid using near acid-loving plants (like blueberries)

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✅ How to Use Them

Application	How-To
Soil amendment	Grind and mix into planting soil or around plant base
Pest barrier	Crush and scatter around plants in a thick ring
Composting	Rinse, dry, crush, and add to your compost pile
Seed starters	Use halves filled with soil and seed—plant directly into your garden