Guide to Wellness

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There continues greater focus on eliminating waste and composting. Not everyone has the ability to start a compost bin in their area. Or maybe you don’t even know where to start. Let’s start with 2 simple things you can do to reduce waste and help support your soil for plants. 

Are you interested in composting but want to do something smaller? Let’s start here. You can use two things commonly found in a kitchen to help enrich your soil and reduce food waste.

So what items in your kitchen can be used in your yard?

Egg shells and coffee grounds reduce food wast and improve soil.

So what items in your kitchen can be used in your yard?

Egg Shells

Yes, stop tossing your egg shells in the trash. There are multiple ways to use these in nature.

  • Enrich your soil. Egg shells are high in calcium which is a nutrient needed by plants. Crushed Egg shells are a great addition to any garden or flower bed. They will break down more quickly when tilled into the soil.
  • Sprout your seeds. If you successfully crack your egg shell in half, use one half for a seed starter container. Add a little soil, seed, and water and wait for it to sprout.
  • Natural pest control. Several insects don’t like the crunch of the egg shell as well as the sharper edges.

Coffee Grounds

  • Attract beneficial earthworms to your garden
  • Deter insects with the texture of the coffee grounds.
  • Give your plants an added nitrogen boost. Work the grounds into your soil. **It is important to understand the needs of your soil. While nitrogen is a key nutrient for your plants, too much can have a negative impact.

These are two simple things used daily in many households. Stop tossing them out and start using them and all of their benefits. This will be the last time you toss your egg shells or coffee grounds.

How do you get started reducing food waste and improving soil

  1. Collect Egg Shells and Coffee Grounds

    Begin to collect your egg shells and coffee grounds in separate containers.

  2. Break Egg Shells

    Once you have enough egg shells collected to fill your container, break down the egg shells into tiny pieces.

  3. Spread on Soil

    Take the egg shells and/or coffee grounds to your soil and spread in desired location. If wanting to add more nutrients to the soil, make sure to till into the soil.

  4. Start the Collection Over Again

What steps are you taking to creatively use food waste to enhance your yard?