Sea shells

[sanzfrancisco]

I understand that gardeners can use crushed oyster shells in the soil to add calcium to the garden. Does anyone know if I can add crushed sand dollars in the same way??

 

[zigs]

Not sure if they are made of calcium or chitin,

Don't crush a live one though

 

[IcyBC]

Stick with oyster shells, but like @zigs said, not the live ones

 

[Becky]

According to Wikipedia, the sand dollar skeleton is made from calcium carbonate, so I would have thought it would be ok... That being said I wouldn't know whether it imparts calcium to the soil in the same way as oyster shells.

 

[zigs]

Should do then, bit of ph paper should show

 

[sanzfrancisco]

Not sure if they are made of calcium or chitin,

Don't crush a live one though

Not to worry. I pretty much don't crush anything living, Thanks for the reply.

 

[sanzfrancisco]

Polygonal calcite......calcium yes???

 

[Becky]

I would have thought they would be ok. You should give them a try and let us know how you get on!

 

[Rosyrain]

Needing the shells would be a goo excuse to have oysters for dinner one night. I personally do not like oysters, but is an excuse none the less. I live near the ocean and frequently see people who have added shells to their garden, but I never understood what the purpose was. I am now a smarter person.

 

[sanzfrancisco]

I would have thought they would be ok. You should give them a try and let us know how you get on!

I will Becky....thanks.

 

[sanzfrancisco]

Needing the shells would be a goo excuse to have oysters for dinner one night. I personally do not like oysters, but is an excuse none the less. I live near the ocean and frequently see people who have added shells to their garden, but I never understood what the purpose was. I am now a smarter person.

Glad I could be of assistance.

 

[sanzfrancisco]

Should do then, bit of ph paper should show

Thanks....I'll check it.

 

[sanzfrancisco]

Stick with oyster shells, but like @zigs said, not the live ones

 

[DeborahJane]

Needing the shells would be a goo excuse to have oysters for dinner one night. I personally do not like oysters, but is an excuse none the less. I live near the ocean and frequently see people who have added shells to their garden, but I never understood what the purpose was. I am now a smarter person.

Me too, Rosyrain.
Isn't it a great forum....learning new things.

 

[Corzhens]

Sometimes we crush the oyster shells for the calcium that would enrich the soil. But based on our observation, it is not that effective. I remembering doing that when we moved here in 2001. And the crushed shells remain in the soil and do not decay so we needed to remove that. What is more effective for us now is the water used to wash meat and fish. It is much better for use as fertilizer.