You’ve shucked. You’ve slurped. You’ve enjoyed. Now what? Put those beautiful White Stone Oyster shells to work with these creative ideas.
In the Garden
Oyster shells are made up of calcium carbonate (chalk) which can support the acidity of your soil and fertilize your plants and soil microbes with calcium. Also, the texture of oyster shells when added to garden soil or compost helps to improve aeration by preventing soil compaction. It’s easy to add your shucked oyster shells to your garden or compost- just put them in a big pot and boil them to sterilize. Then, you can crush them up if you choose, or just add them straight to your garden soil or compost pile.
Landscaping
Because of their unique texture and stylish white shell color, oysters are often used in landscaping. Their naturally chalky texture helps prevent erosion, making them perfect for garden borders or as walkway cover. Spread oysters just like you would gravel to create a unique and eco-friendly ground cover on your outdoor walkways.
Decorative Crafts
Boiled oyster shells can transform into blank canvases right before your eyes. Artists everywhere use oyster shells to create ornaments, wreaths, decorations, and painted knick-knacks. The smooth interior of the shell is perfect for painting and their natural toughness means your artistic work will last for years.
Shell Recycling
Chances are there’s a non-profit or garden group near you that will accept your oyster shells for recycling. Recycle oyster shells have dozens of uses, including the ones listed above. They’re also often used to create artificial reef habitats for other creatures in local waterways and bays. Check with your local CSA or agricultural group to see if there’s a recycling program near you.
The uses for oyster shells just go on and on. We’d love to see what creative and fun uses for your shells you can come up with. Make sure to tag us on Instagram with your pictures and don’t forget to visit our blog for more recipes and ideas.
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