Pecan shells and their uses
So, if you're shelling your pecans to make pecan pies for the holidays. Save your shells because they make a great nutritional, organic garden mulch. Plus, they have even more uses. Today, I will tell y'all different ways that I use my empty pecan shells.
So, you have sat for several hours shelling out your pecans to make pecan pies and now you're scratching your head wondering if all those empty nut shells can serve you any purpose. Below are a few ways that I put all my pecan shells to good use and hopefully they'll give you some inspiration too!
Garden mulch
Here are three awesome reasons why you should use pecan shells in your outside gardens for an all-natural garden mulch.
Pecan shells help retain moisture in the soil around in flower beds, outdoor vegetable gardens, etc..
They also keep nasty slugs at bay.
Plus, the shells will deter problematic weeds in your gardens.
Organic fertilizer
This could be placed in the above section with garden mulch, but I am placing it separately as an organic fertilizer, because I use crushed pecan shells in my planted containers inside specifically for that purpose (organic fertilizer). However, they can also be used as an organic fertilizer in outdoor gardens too. And when they're used uncrushed as garden mulch, the pecan shells will eventually break down as fertilizer.
Crush your pecan shells into smaller pieces, then mix them directly into your potting soil mix to make an all-natural organic fertilizer. The shells will also help with water drainage in planted containers.
Fire-starters
On damp wet days it can be difficult to start a fire inside your fireplace, or woodstove. Pecan shells are great fire starters. Plus, the aroma smells really nice while they are burning.
Natural wood smoker chips
Instead of buying apple wood, maple, or mesquite chips for your smoker, use your pecan shells instead. The shells provide an all-natural, mild smokehouse flavor to meat and vegetables. The end results of your smoked food will be awesomely delicious! Plus, pecan shells are actually very nutritious and have antioxidants. So, you'll get added health benefits by using them to cook with.
Beauty purposes
After grinding a handful of pecan shells at a time in a food processor, you'll end up with a thick textured pecan paste. The pecan paste can be used as an ingredient to make various exfoliating bath soaps, body scrubs, foot and facial cleansers.
Crafts
If you're a crafty kinda person, drill small holes inside the broken pecan shells, then use a fishing line, or some other type of string to make organic wind chimes for your front porch, or to tie on tree limbs out in your yard. Use something whimsical, like tree bark, or drift wood to tie the strings of pecan shells onto. Have fun and be creative!