I had the pleasure of growing up in a family that understood the rich benefits of working hard and growing our food. We didn’t have any farm animals, but we did have an awesome garden every summer!
Fortunately, my husband's parents taught him these same values, so we set out to grow our first garden. There were a lot of ups and downs and learning curves. And while I don’t consider myself a “professional” gardener, I have learned some tips along the way. We even ran an organic community supported agriculture (CSA) share program for a couple of summers. Our kids learned the value of hard work and a dollar those summers. These are memories we will cherish forever!
My kids, husband and father-in-law picking fresh produce from our CSA gardens.
Gardening Tips We Learned Along the Way
My father-in-law also taught us so much about gardening and raising chickens! In the picture above, you can see the two high-tunnel greenhouses we had in the back—both were full of organic goodness. We also had a 1-acre garden in our backyard that we managed completely by HAND! It was a lot of work, but we learned so much along the way.
Here are a few gardening tips I've learned over the years that have made a big difference for us:
Start with a Manageable Space: It’s easy to get excited and want to plant everything, but trust me, starting with a smaller more manageable garden is the way to go. I learned this the hard way when we overcommitted with our CSA. Begin with a small plot and gradually expand as you build experience and confidence!
Plan Your Garden Layout: Before planting, take the time to map out where each crop will go. This helps you make the most of your space and ensures every plant gets the room it needs to grow properly. For example, tomatoes can take up 2' of space and you’ll need 2' of space between plants. Cucumbers when grown without a trellis will take up a 4'x4' footprint. It’s a lot more room than you think!
Try Companion Planting: Certain plants thrive when planted together. For instance, pairing tomatoes with basil can help deter pests. Do some research and check out charts like this one to discover which plants work best together for a healthier garden.
Consider Soil Depth: Certain crops need deep soil to grow to their full potential. If you’re planting veggies like tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes or watermelon, make sure your beds or containers are deep enough—ideally 24–36 inches or more. These plants require extra room for their roots to spread and develop properly for healthy growth and a bountiful harvest.
Use Raised Beds or Containers: If you’re limited on space or have poor soil quality, raised garden beds or containers are a fantastic option. They offer better drainage and give you more control over the soil quality, plus they make it easier to maintain your plants. We garden in containers now and I absolutely love it.
Water Wisely: Consistent watering is key, especially during hot spells. Try to water at the base of your plants early in the day to avoid evaporation. Most plants need about 1-2 inches of water per week, but be mindful of overwatering which can lead to root rot. Underwatering can also cause wilting.
Feed Your Plants: Not all plants need regular fertilizing, but if your soil is lacking nutrients, giving your crops a boost can make all the difference. Pay attention to the type of fertilizer you’re using and follow the guidelines for each plant. My best fertilizer - chicken manure! Compost your chicken litter and put it on your plants. Check out my guide here.
Eggshells in the Garden: A Simple, Free Resource
Another part of our normal gardening routine is utilizing the eggshells from our flocks’ eggs. They’re a great source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other plant minerals. And the best part? It’s free! Well, is anything really free? Of course, you must feed your chickens and take good care of them to be happy laying hens, but you get my point.
How Do I Use Eggshells in My Garden?
I love jumpstarting my garden by using eggshells and repurposing egg cartons as seed starters. It’s an easy and effective way to give your plants a nutrient boost while reducing waste!
Here's my step-by-step process for using eggshells in the garden:
Rinse the eggshells – After cracking the eggs, I give the shells a quick rinse to remove any remaining egg.
Air-dry the shells – I place the rinsed shells in a bowl or jar and let them air dry completely. You can keep adding shells to the bowl until you’ve collected enough to use.
Crush the eggshells – Once dry, I lightly crush the eggshells. This doesn’t have to be perfect; just enough to break them down into small pieces.
Prepare your garden – When planting seeds, I sprinkle the crushed shells into the planting holes. The eggshells provide calcium, potassium and magnesium, which are essential for healthy plant growth!
Natural pest deterrent – The sharp edges of the eggshells also act as a natural pest deterrent, helping keep critters away from your plants and protecting the roots.
Using eggshells is an easy yet effective way to nourish your garden while cutting down on waste and making the most of what you already have. It’s one of my favorite win-wins!
Which Plants Like Eggshells?
I remember going out to the garden one day many years ago and being so discouraged to find these black spots on the bottom of our tomatoes. They were big, juicy tomatoes that looked like they’d been in a fight. Upon some research, I discovered that “end rot” is caused by a lack of calcium.
Eggshells give the plants that extra boost to ensure there’s enough calcium available to the plants, which, in turn, provides enough nutrients for healthy fruit! There are multiple plants that benefit from eggshells in your garden. Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, flowers, strawberries and squash are some examples!
To Crush or Not to Crush Eggshells?
There are different schools of thought on this. If you’re noticing a problem in your plants, pulverizing the shells into an easy-to-absorb powder will make the most sense. If you’re simply using the shells to get things started or pest control, I just crush them into little pieces. This allows them to slowly decompose into the soil around the plant while they keep pests away.
Eggshells: Great for Chickens Too!
Eggshells are also excellent for feeding back to your chickens! This provides them with a calcium-rich source that they need to continue with healthy egg production. A healthy adult laying hen needs 4-5g of calcium daily! While I always have oyster shells on hand for them, they gobble up their own eggshells as well. It’s a simple way for me to ensure the girls are getting everything they need.
If you’ve been gardening for years or are just starting, I’d encourage you to incorporate eggshells into your plan. Something I love so much about eggs is that you literally can use every part of the egg! Nothing is wasted. And crushed eggshells in a jar on your counter are actually kind of pretty!
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady