While egg may be the delight of many menage cooks , eggshellscan be the scourge of many abode composters .
I remember my response when I dug in to harvest my very first batch of finish compost .
I was thrilled that all of my food waste and garden trimmings had magically transformed into a beautiful , chocolate-brown , hommos - like substance !
Tomatoes showing blossom end-rot
All except the eggshells . Lots andlotsof them , all still very recognizable .
We link up to vendors to help you observe relevant products . If you buy from one of our linkup , we may pull in a commission .
But I made some changes and I do n’t notice those swelled slice of casing in my compost any longer . You do n’t have to either .
Tomatoes showing blossom end-rot
In addition to discussing the best way to tot them to your compost , I ’m also go to cover other way of using them as a grunge amendment , and whether or not they work as a pest balk .
Here ’s a quick overview of what ’s forwards :
What You’ll Learn
Eggshells as Food Waste
Eggshells take up a whole fortune of room when you do n’t break them up – whether that ’s in your compost or your codswallop can .
Their beautiful oval shapes – so perfect for control their contents – do n’t flatten down well in the trash , unless you take the fourth dimension to vanquish them .
And many people put them in the refuse without a second idea . According toPaula Felps at Earth911 , the US alone sends 150,000 tons of shell to landfills every year .
If you do the math , that ’s nearly a million pounds of these oval wonderment occupy up space in landfill , not per year , butper day . Yikes !
It makes a stack of sense to seek to discover alternate U.S. for these empty former packages of eggy goodness . And that ’s where home gardeners can get involved .
Eggshell Nutrients
Before we get into the contingent of how to reuse this abundant variety of food waste product in the garden , I think it would be helpful to examine just what exactly is being thrown away at a rate of nearly a million pounds a Clarence Day .
Here ’s what the average shell is comprised of :
It seems like such a shame to just bewilder all those nutrients away , does n’t it ?
Especially if they could supervene upon a garden product that you might have to buy otherwise – likeagricultural lime .
In fact , a study presented at the 2006 Iowa State University Integrated Crop Management Conference by annexe field specialistsJohn Holmes and Paul Kasselfound eggshells to be an effective agency of cut dirt acidity , on equality with agricultural lime , which is mine from limestone .
And in case you ’re wondering , repurposing this case of nutrient waste is n’t just a DIY amendment utilized by family gardeners .
Ground eggshell meal is listed as an constitutive plant food “ generally satisfactory under the [ rule of the USDA National Organic Program ( NOP ) ] for commercial organic farmers , ” as described in the North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook release by North Carolina State University , with anaverage analysisof 1.2 - 0.4 - 0.1 ( NPK ) .
Though nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium levels offered by eggshells are relatively low , the takeout food here is that what is usually throw out as waste can be an incredible generator of calcium , with value as an amendment used both to feed plants and to neutralise acidic soil .
Use as a Soil Amendment
How can you tell whether your garden will benefit from contribute Ca ?
It ’s significant to realize what case of land you ’re start with – so ensure you read ourenlightening articleon this subject .
You may even need todo a soil testto see how much calcium your territory already contains .
If your soil is acidic , amending with a rootage of calcium may be helpful , calculate on what you desire to grow .
But there are cases when acidic territory is preferable , such as forgrowing blueberriesand other ericaceous plant . You would n’t necessarily need to add an alkaline amendment like Ca in that instance .
The results of your soil trial run will help guide you in resolve if sum Ca to your soil is a good musical theme or not .
If you ’re growing tomato and other food crop that maysuffer from blossom - end rot , the atomic number 20 from shell may be a great assistant at planting metre .
In a paper published in the March 2016 issue of theInternational Journal of Innovative Research in Science , Engineering and Technology , Madhavi Gaonkar and A. P. Chakraborty from Dr. Babasaheb Amebedkar University in Maharashtra , India , described their enquiry on using shell as a calcium supplement and fertiliser .
These investigator concluded that small-grained eggshell is “ belike the best natural source of Ca , ” and found the use of this amendment could poise soil calcium levels in ordering to help keep blossom - goal rot .
Charles C. Mitchell , extension agronomist with theAlabama Cooperative Extensionalso studied adding this nutrient waste to the soil in a farm scene to counteract dirt acidity .
He determined that adding crushed shell to the filth was useless – unlessthey were base to a fine pulverisation , smaller than gumption .
When ground in this way , he found that this powder was even more effective than agrarian basswood , provide a source of calcium that was readily useable to industrial plant .
In short , orotund pieces of plate give way down too slowly to serve as an amendment or dirt sweetener . when ground into a powder , they obligate to the soil , becoming more readily bioavailable and altering the soil pH.
In improver to preventing blossom - end bunkum in tomatoes , the calcium in ground shell can be used to preventapple bobfloat bit , or as an choice to amending your lawn with lime .
But before you start sprinkling atomic number 20 willy - nilly throughout your garden , you may need to learn more about howplants use nutrientsand minerals , so that your purpose of this land amendment is well - inform .
Use in Compost
If saving spent eggshell for use as a filth amendment is n’t on your agenda , there are a couple of good reason why you might want to compost them instead of throw them in the trash .
The first , as discussed above , is to keep them from going to languish in landfills .
Food barren take much longer to discover down in landfill than it does in compost pile , as landfills are sealed off , anaerobic surroundings .
In this case , anaerobic rotting is malodourous and inefficient compared to aerobic decomposition , the eccentric that takes place in a well - maintained compost muckle – where aerobic microbe flourish because of the mien of O .
Those aerobic germ transmute solid food waste matter into nitrogen , phosphorus , and Mg , making fantabulous textile for growing more food !
If you are using an anaerobic composting method acting at home , such as bokashi – the addition ofLactobacillibacteria to kick - start the fermentation operation – then the shells will break down just fine .
Another motivation for compost your eggshells might be to provide better circumstance for earthworms , either in your compost atomic reactor , orin your vermiculture bin .
nightcrawler require grit to digest their food , and moil up shell are an excellent author .
Even if you do n’t have a worm bin , you ’ll finally have earthworms hanging out in your outside compost voltaic pile , and in your soil , so including some shell junk for them will help them to thrive .
Before you add eggshell to your compost down or worm bin , pulverize the dried shell to ascertain that your finished compost is fluent and dirt like , uncluttered by large pieces of plate . notice that composting whole eggs is generally not advisable , since the smell can attract gnawer .
grind them before adding them to your compost or worm ABA transit number will also make it easy for the earthworms to use the material as backbone .
I ’ll partake in my method for safely preparing ground eggshells with you shortly .
In the meantime , to learn more about keeping your mickle balanced , contain out our article onthe basics of composting .
Use as Seed Starting Containers
Another creative gardening reuse for eggshells is to utilize them as containers for seed starting .
While this is a viable option for upcycling your kitchen waste , you ’ll need to be mindful of certain limitations and necessary preparations before getting started .
This seed starting method work best for plants that are small and low growing . Plants that can gain peak speedily , such astomato seedling , will quickly outgrow these diminished containers .
That does n’t mean youcan’tstart tomatoes from semen in this way – but if you do , you ’ll want to have big baby’s room potful on hand for repotting within a few week after they pullulate .
And keep in mind that ingeminate repotting is not recommended for most transplant , as this can cause undue tension and damage their stem .
On the other hand , low growing plants such asthyme , cucamelons , or certainsucculentswould be good candidates for starting in shell .
It ’s best to start seeds in infertile pots , so if you decide to apply eggshell as seeded player pots , the first step you ’ll require to take is to check that you good scavenge the shells .
Thicker casing will be easier to clean without relegate than thin ones .
Generally , shells from youthful hens are duncical , and those from older hen are thinner , so if you ’re buying eggs from a farm , you might ask the farmers if they have testis from young layer .
Gently lave out the eggshells with warm , soapy water – or bring them to a boiling point in hot water to hygienise them .
Along with a infertile develop environment , vernal seedlings need drain .
If you are able to successfully make clean your shell without go them , next thrusting two or three small holes into the bottom of each carapace to assure the seedling have well - drain territory . The tip of a alloy paper time forge well for this .
When you ’re ready to plant your seedling , commend that whole shell do n’t break down quickly – sure as shooting not quickly enough to let your young plant ’s roots spread out into the soil .
So you ’ll need to remove the seedling from its shell before planting – either lift the seedling out with a widger or small spoonful , or collapse the shell to remove it .
And if you ’d like further guidance in get going your ownannuals from seed , postdate the helpful focusing in our guide .
Use as a Pest Deterrent
Another garden enjoyment for this type of readily - available solid food waste is to pile precipitous , crushed pieces of shell around the foundation of industrial plant as a barrier , to discourage certain soft - bodied cuss .
Scattering crushed eggshells around your harvest mayhelp to beat back cutworm , those cruddy cat that like to chop the heads off of your soft little seedlings .
cutworm go for the tender stem of untried seedling , so a vulgar DoD against these pests is to block their memory access by placing collars around seedling stems .
According toT. J. Martin at the Cochise County Master Gardeners berth , crushed eggshell are also an effective deterrent against cutworms when a level is scattered around the stems of raw young seedlings .
However , when it comes to dissuade lick , crushed eggshells are n’t all they ’re cracked up to be – pun intended .
In his al-Qur’an , “ The Truth About Garden cure : What Works , What Does n’t , and Why , ” writer Jeff Gillman debunks this DIY slug check by trying the experimentation himself .
The Truth About Garden Remedies : What Works , What Does n’t , and Why
To take more , you could findthis book on Amazon .
In fact , I had the joy of learn a year with Gillman through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte ’s Native Plants Studies program , and I and my other schoolmate tried this experimentation along with him .
We used a paper plate as our testing grounds . Around the inner perimeter of the shell we created a roadblock made of humiliated shell , then placed the slugs in the center of the shell .
Next , we watched to see if the sharp shards would keep the poke in the gist of the plate – or if the slug would venture across anyway .
We did the same test with pennies as well , since copper is another theorise slug - repelling dwelling cure .
The termination ? Neither roadblock deterred the slug . ( Cue sad trombone ) .
In his account book , Gillman recounts try out several sport of the slug - on - paper - scale experiment .
He found that when the shells were crush to the size of baby St. Joseph , and piled into a 1/4 - inch mystifying barrier , he arrive the best issue .
These shards slack the slugs down a bit , but the barrier was not enough of a deterrent to make the slugs turn back or to prevent them from crossing it .
desire to know what Gillman does advocate for controlling slugs ? Spoiler qui vive – it ’s beer traps .
you’re able to take slugs in our article .
I do have to charge out that there are many different mintage of slugs , and as far as I cognise , Gillman has not assay his experimentation on a wide variety of them – so the eggshell roadblock may mold better against some coinage than it does with others .
So I ’m going to say the finding of fact is still out as to whether this DIY trick is an in force remedy against bullet in the garden .
In any case , placing pieces of crushed , heat - dried shell around your plants surely wo n’t spite them – remember , they wo n’t even change your dirt ’s pH over the scant term .
What About Salmonella?
Speaking of unpleasant things like sluggard … whataboutsalmonella ?
I recognise , I know – this has been your burning question all along , correct ? How can you perchance use eggshells in your garden without subject yourself and your fellowship to the risk of salmonella contagion ?
Luckily , I am ready with an answer – and a solution .
Part of my method acting for preparing eggshells for the garden involves baking them in the oven to dry out them out before travail .
This practice does a couple of things at once – it dries out the sticky , inner membraneandkills salmonella .
You only needone secondof moist estrus at 170.6 ° F to down salmonella bacterium .
The oven - dry out method will expose your eggshell to temperatures mellow than that for longer period of time , so you should be able to set aside those worries about salmonella .
Instead , this frees you up to guess about more important things – like how you ’re going to celebratenaked gardening daywhen it roll around again !
How to Make a Soil Amendment
Now that you have put your worries about salmonella to rest , it ’s clip for the fun part : machinate your eggshell powder for use in compost or as a filth amendment .
In three words , you ’re going tocollect , ironic , andgrind .
Collect
First , roll up your shell and rinse off them under a hydrant to remove any raw ballock to ward off pull fly , or unpleasant olfaction .
localise them in an ovenproof peach such as a casserole stunner or cookie sheet . Once the dish is full , you ’re quick to dry them . The amount of clip it will take to fill the baking beauty bet on how often you eat eggs , and how many egg - eaters are in your family .
Do n’t bother trying to crush them while you ’re put in them in this way – it will be much easy to crush them once they are dry .
And by the means , I ’ve been handling my shell like this for several years now , and in several different climates , range from the temperate Southern Piedmont , to the arid Intermountain West , to the dampish Pacific Northwest .
I ’ve in person never had any trouble from salt away them this way over the short full term – no mold , no plague , and no odor – although I will let in that I do a lot of baking , so my shell run to get a drying heat treatment at least once a week .
If you are concern nonetheless about whether keeping in the buff eggshells is a likely health issue , you could certainly boil them first .
Just be cognisant that you will lose some of the atomic number 20 content of the case , which will be leached into the water supply while they ’re cooking . you may also have this water coolheaded and use it as a soil amendment .
Dry
Now that you have a baking dish full of bleak shells , wait until the next time you need to preheat your oven .
While the oven is preheating , place the baking ravisher full of eggshells into the oven for a few minutes .
If you are using a glass baking dish , make certain the oven temperature is no higher than 350 ° F – some drinking glass dishes can crack at high temps . Except of course if you are using Pyrex or a standardized brand that is good in the 400 ° F range .
I actually lay in my collected eggshells in a baking dish in the oven prior to drying them out , to keep them out of the direction .
Then , any time I project to do some baking and am preheating my oven , the baking dish and its substance are quick to go , and I allow them to heat up for several minutes .
This dries out those wet membranes – although ordinarily they have dry out on their own by then – and exposes the shells to temperature that will kill salmonella .
Grind
Once my shells are all sufficiently dried out , I cranch them up into a fine pulverisation . The best solution I have find for doing this is to grind them in my blender .
Working in small batches , station dried shield in the liquidizer , and grind to a powdery consistency . When all of the shells are fine ground , transpose them to a Freemason jolt for reposition .
Now your homemade eggshell gunpowder is ready to bestow to the dirt for added calcium or to weaken acidity , or to your compost to biodegrade further .
Or you could simply store this gunpowder for later use – just verify your powder is exhaustively ironic before lay in it , or add a silica desiccant packet to the jar for add together peace treaty of thinker .
How to Make a Pest Deterrent
If you require to use eggshells as a pest hinderance , or else of grinding them into a ok powder , you ’ll want to squelch them into small , jaggy slice alternatively .
You ’ll still need to dry out and ignite them in the oven as described above .
But instead of grinding them in a blender or coffee bean molar , which will lead in producing pieces that are too pocket-size to deter pestis , jam them by hired man .
you’re able to do this by placing diminished raft in a trench mortar and crushing them with a pestle , or place them on a baking sheet and crush them with a rolling pin .
post your vanquish shell pieces in a shock for storage – or go ahead and take them out to your garden and dust them around your plants justly away .
Breakin’ Up Isn’t Hard to Do
See ? break up up your eggshells – and letting them break down – really is n’t that hard to do !
And if you make certain to dry them out for easy grinding , the remainders of your omelets can be easily transformed into a DIY stain amendment or compost ingredient .
As far as using them for pest controller – let ’s all keep try out and report back .
And if this clause has piqued yourinterest in eatable gardeningby repurposing food refuse , you could read more articles on that subject right here :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product photo via Timber Press . Uncredited pic : Shutterstock . First write May 12th , 2020 . Last update March 26th , 2022 .
About
Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
