As I sit gazing out of my kitchen window at the crisp white snow and -30 degree temperatures here in Alberta, my garden is on my mind. I cannot wait to get back at it. I am visualizing where I will plant my veggies, do I need more raised beds? If I do, where will I put them? I am googling what grows in sun, what grows in shade, while reviewing my notes from last years harvest. It is exciting to begin planning the layout using the fails from last year to create this years wins.
Preparing ones Garden soil is the first step to having a successful and healthy garden. Many gardeners complained of an abundance of slug activity last year. I can relate as slugs were once a problem for me as well. However I have nipped them in the bud so to speak with one simple hack that begins today. Egg Shells.
Garden Pest Control:
Egg shells act as natural slug deterrents. They slice the slugs when they move over them so slugs avoid this sharp shells at all costs. The trick is not to just scatter them on the soils surface. You need to work these shells into the soil at least 6″ down. This takes quite a few shells depending on the amount of garden space you have. So today, begin saving them. Just pop the shells (un-rinsed) into a Tupperware dish, or ziplock bag but don’t close the lids or zip the bag. You want them to dry out. As the bag or dish fill up with dried shells, smash the shells into tiny pieces and continue to top up. The shells break easily when dried out. Don’t over do it as you do want pieces of shell, not dust.
Between my baking and my husbands 2 egg a day breakfast habit, we accumulate an abundance of shells over the winter.
I save at least 12 – 14 cups of crushed shells which is plenty to keep the soil topped up. Egg shells have more purpose than just to kill slugs though. They are a great source of calcium for your soil.
Garden Soil Enrichment:
Have your tomato plants ever suffered from blossom end rot? This is a disease in the tomato plant that kills the fruit. This disease is caused by lack of calcium and inconsistent watering of the Tomato plants while they are producing the fruit. Egg shells help to alleviate this problem. They are part of the solution. Of course I will talk about growing healthy tomato plants later, but keep in mind that Eggs matter for them as well.
So as you stare out at your garden dreaming of healthy vegetable crops this upcoming season, don’t be caught unprepared. Begin step one today. Save your Egg Shells.
