Can I put eggshells directly in my garden?

Author: Herman Bartell II  |  Last update: Monday, September 1, 2025

Otherwise, collect your eggshells, clean them, and crush them well—or grind them into a fine powder—before adding them to the soil. That way, you get to give both your breakfast a second life and your plants a booster shot to thrive.

Which plants don't like eggshells?

"Plants like strawberries, blueberries, kale, and cabbage prefer slightly acidic soil and adding in eggshells can do more harm than good," says Jen McDonald, certified organic gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls, a garden design company based in Houston, Texas.

How do you prepare egg shells for the garden?

Lay shells evenly on a sheet pan. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes to dry the shells. Transfer shells to a food processor and pulse until finely crushed. Spread a thin layer of eggshell powder around the roots of vulnerable garden plants (repeat after heavy rain).

Can I mix coffee grounds and eggshells together for my garden?

Eggshells and used coffee grounds make the best, AND FREE, fertilizer for plants and herbs. Some of you might have heard about using coffee grounds...but eggshells? Yes. But why? Well, the used coffee grounds is a source of nitrogen, and the eggshells is a source of calcium - which together make the perfect fertilizer.

Can you put too many eggshells in your garden?

Eggshells take a lot longer to break down compared to many other compostable goods, and too many of them can increase the acidity of your compost. This shouldn't be a problem, unless you plan on using it to grow plants that prefer low soil pH.

2 Min. Tip: How We Use Eggshells in Our Garden (Eggshell Calcium)

Which plants Cannot use coffee grounds?

Avoid using coffee grounds on alkaline-loving trees, such as linden, ironwood, red chestnut and arborvitae. Coffee grounds used as mulch or compost inhibit plant growth on geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass. Definitely don't use coffee grounds with these plants.

Do you need to wash eggshells before using in garden?

Making egg fertiliser is extremely easy. All you'll need to do is: Crush your eggshells into a fine powder. To stop wild animals from smelling the echoes of raw eggs on your plants, give your eggshells a quick wash first.

Are coffee grounds good for the garden?

Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen. They also have some amount of other nutrients like potassium and phosphorous. Overall, this means that adding coffee grounds to your garden can work fairly well as a fertiliser. Coffee should be spread in a thin layer, rather than being clumped in one place.

How do I know if my soil needs calcium?

Symptoms of calcium deficiency include stunted plant growth, leaf curling, dark leaf veins, weakened plants, and blossom-end rot in fruits. Fruit plants like tomatoes and peppers may develop dark, sunken areas in the fruit.

Can you put eggshells around tomato plants?

The eggshells will naturally decompose, and they will add calcium and nitrogen to your soil; necessary nutrients for your plants.

Is it good to put banana peels in the garden?

Banana peels can be placed directly onto pot plant soil, or around the base of your garden as mulch. As they decompose, they will release nutrients into the soil to feed plants. If using banana peels in your garden, place a single layer straight on top of the soil, being sure not to let them touch the plant stem.

What plants grow better with egg shells?

Plants like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in particular will benefit from shell fertilizer, Savio said. The extra calcium will help prevent blossom-end rot. Broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, spinach and amaranth are also calcium-packed and could use extra from eggshells.

What is the fastest way to add calcium to soil?

Foliar Spray

Commercial foliar calcium sprays (calcium acetate, calcium nitrate, and calcium chloride) are the quickest remedy for acute calcium deficiency, as plants absorb nutrients more efficiently through leaves than through roots.

Can you use regular Epsom salt on plants?

Known as a garden helper, Epsom salt is a natural and effective way to provide essential minerals to plants.

Do tomatoes like coffee grounds?

Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.

Do coffee grounds attract mice?

Mice typically do not like coffee grounds scattered around the kitchen. The strong aroma of coffee is generally unpleasant to mice, which can act as a deterrent.

Where is the best place to put coffee grounds in the garden?

To use coffee grounds as a fertilizer sprinkle them thinly onto your soil, or add them to your compost heap. Despite their color, for the purposes of composting they're a 'green', or nitrogen-rich organic material.

Where to put crushed eggshells in the garden?

You can crush your eggshells by hand and toss them into your compost bin. Eggshells do take longer to break down than most other food waste, so your finished compost may have bits of eggshell in it.

Can I bury old eggs in the garden?

Many gardeners use eggs in the garden to boost soil nutrients. Try putting eggshells in your compost. You can also plant eggshells or a whole egg in the hole before planting tomato plants.

Are egg shells good for cucumber plants?

The biggest benefit after tomatoes is to cucumbers. Place the crushed shells of a dozen eggs right down in their planting holes to provide easy-to-reach calcium, and your cukes will be noticeably crisper — and that crispness will extend to any cukes that you put up into pickles.

What veggies don't like coffee grounds?

According to Real Simple, some plants that don't like coffee grounds include:
  • Lilacs.
  • Lavender.
  • Geraniums.
  • Squash and zucchini.
  • Roses.
  • Asparagus fern and asparagus.
  • Chinese mustard.
  • Italian ryegrass.

Do coffee grounds keep mosquitoes away?

Since coffee grounds have such a pungent and intense smell, mosquitoes do not like to come near it. Mosquitoes are repulsed by all types of coffee, whether it is fresh, used, or burnt. The most effective way to use coffee grounds for mosquito control is by burning them, as it creates a stronger aroma.

Do cucumbers like coffee grounds?

Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants. Vegetable crops that may benefit from coffee grounds include carrots, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and radishes.

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