Eggshells in the Garden
by Amber G
Published September 17, 2026
We all know that eggshells are something we end up with plenty of when keeping chickens, but did you know you don’t have to toss them in the trash? The leftover shells can actually be useful in the garden! Let’s chat about how you can use your eggshells to help in the garden!
Did you know you can use your eggshells for seed starters? Now you do! You can use cleaned, half eggshells as a little starter for your seeds. Once they are ready to be transplanted, simply break up the shell a little and plant directly into the dirt with your seedlings for an extra boost of calcium.
You can rinse, dry, bake, and then grind your eggshells to mix powdered shells into your compost bin or pile. The extra boost of calcium can help to speed up the composting process.
There are quite a few plants that benefit from extra calcium when they are being transplanted. Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, and other heavy-fruiting nightshades all love some extra calcium. While coarsely broken eggshells can give off some calcium, it takes a long time to break down. Your best bet is to use powdered eggshells when transplanting your starter plants.
Calcium is so important for worm health! Add powdered eggshells to your worm bin to help prevent dangerous internal fermentation from high-protein foods. Calcium is a vital nutrient that is required for earthworm egg cocoons as well. It can also help to stabilize the pH of the bin to ensure there are no acidity spikes that can stress the worms out.
Coarse, sharp pieces of eggshells can act as a barrier against slugs and snails. While there is a fine line when it comes to too big or too small, it can work when done properly. One important thing is to ensure the eggshells are cleaned before using them to prevent them from attracting other pests with their smell.
It’s time to put your eggshells to work for you and your garden! Give them a try this upcoming spring while preparing to get your garden going, or this fall in your compost or worm bin to have rich and fertile soil ready when you are!
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