If you do any gardening at all, you have heard them. You may have even tried them, believing they actually are working. Today, Cathy Isom is busting the myths about using eggshells in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Over time there have been many myths about what eggshells can do if added to your garden.
Such as claim # 1 – Claim #1: Adding eggshells is the ideal organic pest control solution for soft-bodied insects like slugs and snails. The reality: Slugs will easily find a way around or climb over the shards unscathed. The shells simply aren’t sharp enough to pierce their little bodies.
Or claim # 2 – Claim #2: Eggshells repel deer since the smell repulses them. The reality: Hmmm… hard to say. And while I can’t find any scientific study to refute this claim, I highly doubt it’s something that will make a marked difference, especially if you have a severe deer problem. Plus, leaving whole eggshells in your garden may attract small mammal pests to your garden. That said, some people swear by it, so give it a go if you’re looking for a natural deer repellent.
Then there’s claim # 3 – Claim #3: Eggshells can be used in place of diatomaceous earth. The reality: Nope. They’re not the same. Eggshells don’t repel pests. They don’t have the same properties as diatomaceous earth.
Then, Claim #4: Placing crushed eggshells around your plants is an easy way to provide organic nutrients. The reality: Over time, eggshells will eventually break down but it takes a while, and if you have an immediate calcium deficiency, placing crushed eggshells around the base of your plants won’t do much. Also, eggshells don’t contain significant amounts of any essential garden macronutrients, so they should not replace your regular fertilizing routine.
I’m Cathy Isom…