If you are anything like us, you go through a lot of eggs. Between baking, breakfast, and all the recipes in between, our kitchen is never short on eggshells. But here at Tournesol Farm, we never toss them in the trash. Eggshells are one of nature’s most useful little gifts.
Whether you are a gardener, a health conscious cook, or just someone who hates wasting anything, here are some of our favorite ways to put those shells to good use.
In the Garden
Natural fertilizer. Eggshells are almost pure calcium carbonate. That is the same stuff you find in garden lime. Crush them up and work them into the soil around your tomatoes, peppers, and squash. These plants love calcium and will grow stronger with fewer problems like blossom end rot.
Pest control. Scatter crushed shells around the base of your seedlings. Slugs and snails do not like crawling over those sharp edges. It is not a perfect solution, but every little bit helps. And it is completely chemical free.
Compost booster. Toss your shells right into the compost bin. They break down over time and add calcium and minerals to your finished compost. We like to crush ours a bit first so they break down faster.
Seed starters. Half an eggshell makes a perfect little pot for starting seeds. Fill it with some soil, plant your seed, and when the seedling is ready, plant the whole thing right in the ground. The shell breaks down and feeds the roots as they grow.
For Your Health
Calcium supplement. One eggshell has about 2,000 mg of calcium. That is roughly twice what you need in a day. To make eggshell powder, bake clean shells at 200°F for about 10 minutes to kill any bacteria. Then grind them in a coffee grinder until they become a fine powder. Half a teaspoon in your morning smoothie gives you a great calcium boost. Always check with your doctor before adding supplements to your routine.
Mineral rich broth. Next time you make bone broth or stock, toss in a few clean eggshells. The calcium goes into the broth as it simmers, especially if you add a splash of vinegar. You will not taste the difference, but your bones will thank you.
Feed them back to your flock. If you keep chickens, crushed eggshells are one of the best calcium sources for your hens. Strong shells start with good nutrition. We bake and crush ours so the girls do not recognize them as eggs. You never want to encourage egg eating habits.
Around the House
Natural scrub for cleaning. Crushed eggshells mixed with a little soapy water make a great scrub for pots, pans, and thermoses. They are tough enough to get rid of stuck on food but gentle enough not to scratch most surfaces.
Crafts with the kids. Mosaic art, holiday ornaments, sidewalk chalk. Eggshells are a crafting favorite around here. Dye them with food coloring, crush them up, and let the little ones create. It is a fun way to teach kids about reusing what we already have.
Whiter laundry. This is an old homesteading trick. Put crushed eggshells and a couple of lemon slices in a cloth bag, toss it in with your whites, and the calcium helps lift stains and brighten fabric. It sounds too simple to work, but give it a try.
At Tournesol Farm, we believe in using everything and wasting nothing. That is actually how our Egg Shell Dust was born. We had so many shells that we started grinding them into a fine powder for our garden and our flock. Our customers kept asking if they could buy some. So now you can.
Whether you save your own shells or grab a bag of ours at the farm stand, do not let those little treasures go to waste. Your garden, your body, and your chickens will thank you.
Happy homesteading,
The Tournesol Farm Family