GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Tossing eggshells in the trash is throwing away a great gardening resource! Instead, put those shells to work for you next growing season.
First, a heavy sprinkle of ground eggshells around your plants can help keep slugs away.
Second, eggshells contain calcium, of course, but also many other beneficial nutrients for your garden like phosphorous, magnesium and selenium.
Calcium is the most talked about amongst gardeners as a cure for blossom end rot. Many times, blossom end rot is more of a water problem than a calcium problem. A soil test can let you know the culprit.
Adding eggshells when you already have blossom end rot won’t fix the issue. They take too long to decompose into the soil. Prevention with healthy soil and good watering is key.
The thing is, eggshells take a long time to decompose. Drying them and grinding them into a fine powder will help those nutrients incorporate into your soil faster. A coffee grinder works well. Store the shell powder in the freezer until spring.
Of course, the easiest method is to toss them right into your compost bin along with your other kitchen waste, which helps build healthy soil in your garden.
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