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
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!
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?
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!
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.
11 Grease Removal Tips You Wish You Knew Before!
Grease stains can be notoriously difficult to remove, but that will be a thing of the past if you use these 11 fantastic grease-removal methods.
Read These Tips and Banish Your Self-Doubt for Good!
There are small things that we can do to help conquer self-doubt and this infograph reveals all.
Did You Know? Your Pillow Might Be Ruining Your Sleep
Your pillow could affecting your sleep. This article will give advice on when to change your pillow, the best sized pillow and tips for buying a new pillow.
With Age Comes Wisdom! Great Advice From People Over 50
Why get advice from a book when you can get great advice from a person over 50?
Maintain Your Credibility By Avoiding the Following Words
There are certain words that many of us tend to use habitually. Unfortunately we use them to our detriment, as they harm our credibility. Find out more.
8 Terrific Additional Uses For Rubbing Alcohol!
Unsure about what you're meant to use rubbing alcohol for? Wonder no longer, as we've listed 8 brilliant uses of rubbing alcohol in this article.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clean with This Neat Trick
If your sink's garbage disposal has started to smell, this is how you can eradicate it.
Thriving After 50: A Guide to Making Friends in Later Life
Making friends in your 50s can be an uphill task for many. These simple tips will make it easy.
12 Great Advantages of Being Bald
You thought hair loss and going bald was a BAD thing? Well, think again, as we go over everything that's great about being bald!
10 Delicious Microwave Hacks That Will Make Cooking Easier
Your microwave has a few more tricks up its sleeve! 10 more tricks, to be more precise, that will unlock your microwave's hidden potential.
This is How You Keep Your Marriage Strong & Life-Long!
Here are 12 ways you can keep your marriage long-lasting, strong, full of love and support.
Learn How to Grow Your Favorite Fruit and Veggies Indoors
All these plants are delicious, packed full of healthy nutrients and easy-to-grow even if you don’t have a yard or garden
DIY Corner: A Cool Technique for Christmas Decorations!
This is how you can use packing tape to make a sticker out of anything. Sounds too easy? It truly is!
14 Ingenious Organization Hacks to Declutter Your Closet
Here are 14 incredibly clever and easy tips and tricks everyone can master to organize your closet and make it a lot more spacious.
12 Recipes That'll Add Much Needed Green to Your Diet
If your kids or you hate eating your greens, try these 12 recipes and enjoy the health benefit without the taste you don't like.
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
Ease Your Neck Pain with This Secret Pressure Point
Looking down at our devices all day can cause pain in your neck. This pressure point can help alleviate it.
This Memory Technique Could Help You Remember Everything
If you have trouble remembering things, this mnemonic strategy could be just what you're after.
DO NOT Make These Mistakes When Frying an Egg
For a quick lesson in frying an egg, just watch this vidoe guide.
15 Awesome Tips Just For Women!
At home, at work or in the middle of the street, there are situations that only women can understand. The following 15 tips are for women only!
7 Cleaning Mistakes Most of Us Still Make
All of these 7 cleaning mistakes are extremely common, and what’s worse, all of them can completely ruin your hard work while cleaning
DIY: Make Your Own Face Mask in a Few Easy Steps
To get around the shortage, you can make your own DIY surgical face mask. It can be easily done even if you're can't or don't want to sew.
Do You Know How to Use a Tape Measure? Are You SURE?
The humble tape measure is a more sophisticated tool than you thought...
These Cuts of Meat Aren't Popular, But They're Tasty!
Instead of tossing away all those meat parts that aren’t specifically called for in the recipe you’re following, save yourself some money and cook them up!
17 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Bathroom
Keep your bathroom spotless with significantly less effort by avoiding these 17 biggest bathroom cleaning mistakes people make all the time
10 Tips to Make the iPhone User-Friendly for Seniors
Use these tips to make the iPhone easier for the seniors in your life.
6 Great Benefits of Waking Up Early
Do you promise yourself that you'll wake up early the next day, but at the moment of truth you hit the snooze button? Stop this with these 11 tips!
Who Thought Such a Simple Technique Could Be So Potent?
This amazing finger technique will help you to revitalize and nourish your body if you're feeling drained.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Olive Oil To Fry Or Braise Food
Stovetop cooking is very versatile, but most people are disappointed with this cooking method because they make one of these 10 mistakes...
Make Cleaning Windows Less Tedious with This DIY Recipe
There is a quicker and more effective way to clean the windows in your house. Take a look at these two methods.
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.
Cleaning With Baking Soda Can Really Damage These Surfaces
Even baking soda isn’t universal, and using it to clean certain surfaces, like wood, marble, and glass, can damage them...
How to Prepare Matcha, the Healthiest Drink on the Market!
Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there and this is how you can make it yourself.
COLLECTION: Growing Tips for Outdoor and Indoor Plants
Dive into the world of indoor and outdoor plants with these 10 great guides to show you the way.
Can't Stop Overthinking? This Insightful Guide Is For You
Do you overthink? This guide will help you manage your thoughts better.
Tutorial: Improving Your Soil's Health Made Easy!
This tutorial will take you on a journey to transform the very foundation of your garden - the soil - without touching your wallet.
All 11 of These Ordinary Items Have Clever Hidden Features
Not only is it fun to find out the purpose of these secret features, but it’s also quite useful to know them!
This 10-Minute Read Will Make You a Bourbon Expert
Are you unsure of the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch? We are here to clarify.
11 Unhealthy Signs in Your Dog That You Shouldn't Ignore
If you're a dog owner, it is in your duty to be observant toward your dog's health. Here are the warning signs you should watch out for.
Why You Need to Avoid Palm Oil Right Away
Palm oil is harmful to the environment. Here's what to do about it.
Persistent Bad Breath? Not With These Natural Remedies
Don't worry, there are plenty of natural remedies for this problem!
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!