Simon Akeroyd, a well-known UK gardener and author of 30 gardening books, has shared a smart way to use eggshells in your garden. He used to manage gardens for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and now encourages gardeners not to throw away their eggshells after breakfast.
Simon says to rinse the shells well and let them dry in the sun. If the weather is wet, you can dry them in the oven at a low temperature. Once dry, crush the shells into a fine powder.
This powder can be mixed into your compost. When added to garden soil, it helps improve the soil’s quality. Simon demonstrated this method on TikTok, explaining that eggshell powder is a natural way to feed plants and support their growth. Healthier plants mean better harvests.
Eggshells are rich in calcium, which makes up 95% of their content. They also contain small amounts of other nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese. Gardening World confirms these nutrients are very good for plant growth.
It’s important to wash and dry the shells properly. Any leftover egg white can attract unwanted pests like rodents.
Horticulture Magazine also supports this tip, noting that plants such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, brassicas, and fruit trees especially benefit from the calcium in eggshells.
One gardening enthusiast on TikTok shared another idea: mixing crushed eggshells with lemon juice. After letting the mixture sit for 24 hours, most of the shells dissolve, creating a bubbly liquid. When diluted with water, this homemade fertilizer can be poured at the base of plants. This helps plants absorb calcium faster, strengthening their roots, stems, leaves, and fruits.
Simon’s eggshell tip has become popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Many gardeners are excited to try it. One follower said, “Genius you are! One day I’ll grow my farm.” Another shared that crushing eggshells and spreading them around hostas helps keep slugs and snails away.
This simple, eco-friendly gardening hack is an easy way to recycle kitchen waste and boost your garden’s health.
