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Today we have a guest post from Nancy Parker of eNannySource.com, a site that makes it as easy as possible for caregivers to sign up and find work.  In addition, she spends quite a bit of her time writing freelance. Take it away, Nancy.

We all love to reuse things and reduce waste, but some things still wind up in the trash. Items like eggshells often do, but what if you could use them in your garden instead? From handy seed starter pots to organic fertilizer, eggshells can do a lot for your plants. Here are a few of the ways that you can use eggshells in your garden:

1. Seed starter pots – Instead of making tiny seed starting pots out of biodegradable newspaper or spending money on pricy store-bought versions, why not make your own out of eggshells? An eggshell is the perfect size to fill with nutrient-rich soil and makes a great starter pot. Best of all, when it comes time to plant you can just crush the eggshell and plant it along with the seedling. The calcium in the shell will help the tiny plant to get started off on the right foot.
2. Make fertilizing water – Who doesn’t want to complete two tasks at once? You can water and fertilize your plants in one easy step with eggshells. Just let the eggshells soak in water for three to four days and then use the water to give your plants a calcium boot. Easy! You can also keep a watering can full of water and eggshells around to keep your houseplants strong and healthy.
3. Protect your tomatoes – Did you know that the calcium from eggshells can prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes? Just place crushed eggshells in the hole you dig to plant your tomatoes or to the bottom of your container before planting.
4. Prevent slugs – Slugs hate the sharp edges of eggshells. To prevent slugs from eating your plants, crush eggshells and sprinkle a trail around your garden. This method is much safer to use around your plants than salt!
5. Make compost – Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. By adding crushed eggshells to your compost pile you give your future soil a boost of necessary calcium that will make your plants grow stronger and healthier. Banana peels are also awesome to add to compost for a boost of potassium.
6. Bird feed – If you love to attract birds to your garden like I do then this bonus idea will make you smile. You can crush up eggshells and add it to the bird feed you set out to help your feathered friends stay strong and healthy, especially during winter and spring. If you have chickens this idea also works well for them. Just make sure you boil the eggshells well before adding to bird food to prevent the spread of disease. You can also bake them at 250 degrees for twenty minutes to kill germs and sanitize them safely.

As you can see, there are many ways to use eggshells in your garden. Do not just throw away what you can reuse. Instead make it a point to make the most of everything and you will have a healthier garden and a healthier world!