Save
those eggshells! From a free calcium supplement for your chickens to slug
control in the garden, they're valuable in so many different ways around the
home.
I normally just crush up all our eggshells and feed them free-choice
to our chickens as an economical way to provide them the extra calcium they
need to lay eggs with nice hard shells.
But there are so many other practical uses for eggshells.
10 Practical
Uses for Eggshells
You might think eggshells are a waste. Read on to know how to use
eggshells in 10 practical ways:
1. Eggshells as supplemental calcium source for your chickens
Instead of buying commercial oyster shell, crush up all your
eggshells and feed them free-choice to your chickens as an economical way to
provide them the extra calcium they need to lay eggs with nice hard shells.
2. Vegetable or
flower seed starter cups
Eggshell halves make nice cups to start seeds in. You can just plant
the whole thing in the ground when you’re ready to put them in the ground
outside.
3. Christmas or
holiday ornaments
Eggshells are easy to blow out. The empty shells make beautiful
holiday ornaments. A bowl of blown eggs also looks pretty on your kitchen
counter.
4. Slug control
Sprinkle a ring of crushed eggshell around your hostas and other
plants to prevent slugs from munching on them. The sharp edges keep the slugs
out.
5. Instant band-aid
Cut yourself while preparing dinner? No need to rummage for a Band-Aid.
Just crack open an egg, peel off some membrane and wrap it around your cut. Not
only will it harden and stop the blood flow, it will keep out bacteria while
letting in air to allow the wound to heal.
6. Prevent blossom
end rot
Sprinkle crushed eggshell around your vegetables to provide them
calcium carbonate. This is especially beneficial for crops like tomatoes and
cucumbers that are susceptible to blossom end rot.
7. Calcium supplement
Rinse out eggshells (leaving the membrane) and arrange in a single
layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 6 to 8 minutes, then crush into a
powder using a coffee grinder. Add 1/2 teaspoon per day to orange juice or any
liquid of your choice for a healthy, easily absorbed calcium supplement in your
diet.
Or rinse and crush eggshells and fill a glass jar halfway. Cover
with vinegar and let sit for two weeks. Strain and then take 2 Tablespoons per
day. You can use it as a salad dressing or add it to other dishes to make it
more palatable.
8. Better compost
Add your eggshells to your compost
pile. They break down nicely and will add much-needed calcium carbonate to your
potting soil or garden come spring.
9. Hair strengthener
Okay this isn’t the shells, but it’s a good use of the yolk. Egg
yolks are loaded with proteins, vitamins and fatty acids, all of which will
make your hair softer, shinier and healthier. Whisk two egg yolks with two
tablespoons of olive oil and a cup of water, then pour over your hair and
massage into your scalp. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse.
10. Mini flower
pots
Small cacti, succulents or flowers look adorable planted in half egg
shells and then arranged in a cardboard carton. Use as hostess gifts, Mother’s
Day gifts, teacher gifts.
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