Should eggshells be included in the compost bin? To answer the question, determine what an eggshell is made of and how it relates to making great compost.
In order to create the best compost in the compost bin tumbler, a balance of materials considered to be green and those considered to be brown must be met. For example, outdoor substances considered to be green are grass clippings, vegetable leaves and manure which are high in nitrogen content compared to carbon content ratio. Indoors, vegetable scraps as well as bread are most abundant. Other substances considered to be in the green category would be coffee, tea, hair and fur.
Items outdoors with high carbon content considered to be in the brown category are tree leaves after they fall, sticks, and stalks. Indoor carbon rich items might be fireplace ash, potato peels, paper items, dryer lint, houseplants and used potting soil.
The question of using eggshells and whether or not to add them for making compost is a somewhat controversial topic. Eggshells contain very little water and break down very slowly. Because the shells decompose so slowly you may see them appear to sit there for what seems an indefinitely long time in your composting bin. That is reason enough for some to skip putting them in the compost bin tumbler.
Here is a method for solving that argument. Simply put the shells into a paper towel and crush them up. The smaller the size of the bits and pieces the faster they make compost for you. The towel becomes compost and the small size of the calcium rich shell pieces will encourage more rapid break down. A slightly acid environment should speed up decomposition. Worms like to eat eggshells. Again small bits are best for quicker breakdown into compost.
Another benefit to compost from adding eggshells is the eggshell considered a brown substance contains a high amount of calcium, a mineral essential for plant growth. The shells are made almost entirely of calcium carbonate. Calcium is the mineral plants need for stem and root growth as well as giving the rich green color to leaves. If you choose to add eggshells to the compost bin, because shells compose slowly, and you may see them for a long time, the solution is simple. Crush them into smaller pieces when you turn the materials. The shells will also help to allow airflow throughout the pile or composter which in turn helps eliminate the odor sometimes encountered next to compost.
Six reasons for adding eggshells to the composter. They are a natural substance. They are in the category of browns. Shells add the mineral and plant nutrient calcium. Worms eat them. Increase of air pockets to help with odor control. Shells contain very little moisture. Too much moisture in the mixture can cause odor.
The two reasons you may not want to add eggshells to the compost collector are that the shells must be crushed into small bits for decomposition to occur. And second we can see them for a very long time in the barrel composter.
Whether or not eggshells should be included in the compost bin for making compost can only be answered by each individual according to his or her situation and personal preference.
I am Patricia Bass owner of compostingplace.com. I am fortunate to be able to sit on my porch of my property where a creek for which the business Buck Branch Enterprize is named runs. I can listen to the sweet soothing sound of water year round. I watch as my horses graze or run and play at pasture. My cattle relax in the sunshine. As you might think, I am supplied with endless natural material for making compost. Please visit my store http://www.compostingplace.com to purchase garden composting bins,items for barrel composting and compost bins tumbler as well as rain harvesting barrels. And as always enrich the earth, enjoy composting today.
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