When I first moved into the home I currently live in, I of course tried to have a garden my first year, and that year I noticed that the dirt around my house was horrible for growing ANYTHING. I had to figure out a way to put nutrients into my dirt and fast!
I started looking up anything that I could just toss into the dirt and mix up to add nutrients. Coffee grounds was a popular one I saw often, and so was Eggshells! Not only was it a good thing to add to your dirt for nutrients, but they also suggested grinding up the eggshells and making a eggshell circle around your plants for a bit of pest control. I decided to do a bit more investigating at that point, I mean what else could you use eggshells for? What I found was quite interesting.
Prepare the Shells
Once you gather some shells, you want to grind them up. Its recommended to bake your shells in a 250 degree oven for about 20 minutes or so. This will dry them out to where it is really easy to break them up with a motor and pastel to create eggshell powder.
Use 1: Sidewalk Chalk
Did you have any idea that you could make sidewalk chalk with eggshells? Its actually rather simple, and takes ingredients you more than likely already have at home!
Ingredients:
- 4-5 Eggshells, Cleaned and dried
- 1 tsp hot water
- 1tsp flour
- Food Coloring
- Paper Towel
Blend Eggshells into a fine powder. Using a spoon, mix the flour and the water until you get a sticky paste. Add 1tbsp of eggshells and one drop of coloring at a time until you get the color you desire. Shape into whatever shape you desire. Add more hot water if it is too hard to mold. Let your chalk sit.
No Bake Method: Wrap your chalk in a paper towel and let dry for 3 days in a cool dry place.
Bake Method: Place chalk on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 90 Minutes at 150 degrees. Let your chalk rest for 24 hours before using.
DO NOT use this chalk on chalkboards as it will scratch them. Only use this on sidewalk.
Use 2: Calcium Supplement
If you crush up eggshells fine enough (after baking and drying them) you can make your very own calcium supplement by buying the gelatin capsules and filling them with the eggshell powder. This will allow you to get the high calcium content that eggshells have!
Use 3: Minor Skin Treatment
Did you know that egg shells can also help treat minor blemishes, itchy spots and skin irritations? Yes! Let egg shells soak in some apple cider vinegar for a few days, and then apply it to said blemishes, itchy spot and skin irritations.
Use 3: Seedling Starter
Egg Shells are also great to use as a seed starter! Not only will they decompose and add nutrients, but it will provide great nutrient a little seedling needs to sprout! I do this when I have egg shells that still have a decent amount on them left. I’ve been growing things from seedlings much more often now, so I’ve been using this more and more every year.
Use 4: Abrasive Cleaner
Eggshells are also an all natural abrasive that can be used to clean your pots and pans. Simply add 3 cups of baking soda to 1 cup of eggshells to create a great abrasive cleaner to get stains and baked on foods off those pots and pans.
Use 5: Feed to Chickens
Now, I don’t have chickens (yet!) however, I know many people who do, and will in fact feed their chickens egg shells. I can however remember when growing up, my parents had a duck for some time, and there were occasions where I can remember my mom crushing up some egg shells to put in the ducks food, epically when she would lay her eggs and they’d have such a soft if any shell at all.
Use 6: Compost (Most popular)
Weather you have a big compost pile, or small, doesn’t matter, one of the most popular ways to use your leftover shells is to compost them. When I would do this, I would still try to crush them up fine, but that is a personal choice.
Use 7: Add to Coffee
Add some egg shell powder to your coffee before you brew it to take a bit of the bitterness out. Simply add a spoonful or two of eggshell powder on top of your coffee grounds before brewing.