Why You Should Bury Eggshells In Your Garden Before Frost
When the first frosty chill hits the air, most people turn their attention to blankets, sweaters, and firewood. But for gardeners, fall is a time of preparation for the following spring. There's one interesting hack that some gardeners swear by: burying eggshells in your garden before the frost sets in. If you’re looking to improve your spring soil without much effort, this might the secret tool you've been waiting for.
A Slow-Release Calcium Source
Eggshells are packed with calcium, which plants need for strong cell walls and overall growth. Burying them before the ground freezes gives them time to break down slowly. That means your spring soil will already be benefiting from the nutrients, right when new growth starts. Unlike fast-release fertilizers, eggshells feed your soil at a gentler pace, helping to build long-term soil health.
Better Soil Texture Over Time
Ground-up eggshells don't just offer nutrients. They also improve the structure of your soil, especially in clay-heavy or compacted beds. When buried early, they begin to loosen the soil as they decompose, which then encourages better airflow, drainage, and root development. And healthy roots lead to stronger, more productive plants!
Less Pests in Spring
Some pests, like slugs and cutworms, are put off by rough surfaces. Crushed eggshells may not be a full-on solution, but they can play a part in making your garden less welcoming to certain pests. When you bury them before winter, they break down just enough to still be sharp near the surface in early spring. It's not a guarantee, but it can help support other natural pest control efforts.
Helps Support Microbial Life
Healthy soil is full of life, and microorganisms are the backbone of it all. Eggshells provide a bit of grit and calcium to help these organisms thrive. When you bury them ahead of frost, you give those microbes something to work on through the colder months, and that activity helps maintain a balanced soil ecosystem, setting the stage for more fertile planting beds once the ground warms up.
Gardening is about timing, and fall is the perfect time to think ahead. Burying eggshells in your soil once it starts getting chilly won't magically transform your whole garden, but it’s a reliable, low-cost step that still helps your plants in more ways than one. It improves soil health and gets your garden off to a better start come spring. So next time you crack an egg, consider saving the shell. Your garden will thank you.