Don't throw away egg shells as they have important garden use

Once you've cracked open a few eggs while making your breakfast, or baking, it can be tempting to get rid of them straight after by throwing them in the bin. It can, after all, get a bit messy.

But experienced gardener Simon Akeroyd, who is the author of 30 books and has previously worked as Garden Manager for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), says there's "no need to throw away your shells". Instead, you should wash them, and then use them in the garden.

Once you've washed them you can leave them to dry in the warm sun, and if it's a rainy day you can use the oven on a low setting. Then, Simon recommends you crush then and blitz in a blender until you make a powder.

This can then be added to your compost, which in turn is added to your soil to "help improve the quality" of it. This will "help you grow healthy plants, and is therefore a "natural soil improver".

Simon summed up: "Egg shells can contribute to improving your soil, feeding your plants and boosting their health as well as providing you with better harvests."

According to Gardening World, egg shells have "high levels of calcium as well as other nutrients", which are beneficial to plants. A typical egg shell contains 2g of calcium, which makes up 95% of the shell. It also contains small quantities of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and manganese.

They also stressed the importants of washing and drying them, as any traces of egg whites can attract rats.

Horticulture Magazine also took to to share the same tip, and shared that some plants have particular use for the calcium from egg shells - including tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, brassicas and fruit trees.

Another keen gardener recommended mixing the crushed egg shells with lemon, which will cause them to form bubbles. you let the mixture sit for 24 hours, most of the eggshell will dissolve into the juice," said TikTok user @agriculture5639.

The solution can be mixed into a litre of water to create liquid fertiliser, which can be applied to the base of plants. They added: "This home made method allows plants to absorb calcium faster, strengthening roots, stems, leaves and fruits."

Many people were impressed by Simon's tip, both on TikTok and Instagram, and couldn't wait to try it out themselves. One person wrote: "Genius you are!! One day I'll grow my farm." Another shared: "This is a great tip. I always crush mine and put around my hostas to prevent slugs and snails."

Someone elshe shared: "I've done this for ages but never blitzed them, I will from now on. Thanks again."