Using Eggshells in the Garden: Soil Amendment, Compost Boost, and Pest Control

Eggshells offer multiple garden benefits. If you're wondering what to do with crushed or whole eggshells, read on for uses in compost, soil, and pest control.

Eggshells in Compost

Yes, eggshells belong in compost heaps. They add calcium to finished compost—essential for plant cell walls. Without adequate calcium, plants grow slowly, and vegetables like tomatoes and squash develop blossom end rot. Eggshells in vegetable garden compost help prevent this.

Crushing speeds breakdown. Washing reduces animal attraction and slight disease risk from raw eggs.

Eggshells in Soil

Eggshells can go directly into soil. Many plant them with tomatoes, peppers, squash—plants prone to blossom end rot. They won't help current season's plants (too slow to break down), but eventually decompose, adding calcium directly to soil.

Eggshells for Pest Control

Crushed eggshells deter slugs, snails, cutworms, and crawling pests—working like diatomaceous earth. Sharp edges cut pests, causing dehydration and death.

Crush eggshells in a food processor or roll under a bottle. Sprinkle around problem areas.

Eggshells in the garden reduce waste while helping plants—compost, soil amendment, or organic insecticide.