Boiling Crushed Eggshells for Plants: Does It Really Release Calcium Into the Soil? 
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Eggshells are one of the most popular kitchen scraps used by home gardeners. Instead of throwing them into the trash, many gardeners rinse, crush, boil, and add them to garden soil or compost.
The idea is appealing: eggshells contain calcium, so why not return that mineral to the garden?
There is some truth behind the practice, but the popular claim that boiling crushed eggshells immediately releases essential calcium directly into the soil and dramatically boosts plant growth needs a little clarification.
Why Do Eggshells Contain Calcium?
Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate, the same general compound found in materials such as limestone. Because calcium is an essential plant nutrient, eggshells can potentially contribute calcium to soil over time.
However, there is an important catch: calcium carbonate is not highly soluble in water under ordinary conditions. Simply boiling eggshells does not turn them into a fast-acting calcium fertilizer.
In most garden soils, crushed eggshells break down gradually. Their usefulness depends on factors such as particle size, soil chemistry, moisture, and acidity.
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