What can you do with walnut shells?

I walnut shells They represent a classic waste product that can be very useful if properly recycled and not wasted. The primary use is undoubtedly in the vegetable garden and garden: once crushed, walnut shells become valuable mulch. Then there are the various ways to transform walnut shells, through creative recycling, into original objects: mini candles, table decorations, small gift boxes. And much more.

Walnut shells for mulch and as fertilizer

Once crushed, the shells they can be used as mulch in pots or at the base of plants To retain moisture and discourage weed growth. Crushed shells can also replace expanded clay at the bottom of pots to promote drainage. Once the coldest season has passed, walnut shells rot in spring, turning into an excellent fertilizer for plants and thus provide useful nourishment to various plant species.

Walnut shells in jars

I walnut shells in jarsSpread directly above the soil, they act as a frost blanket to protect plants from low temperatures. The nutshell (called the endocarp) creates a thick layer, yet allows the soil to breathe and water to drain away, so plants can still quench their thirst properly.

Mini candles

Inside the shells you can pour hot wax to create small and intriguing Candles Perfect for lighting on a balcony or terrace, they're ideal for creating a more intimate atmosphere. You can also make them from leftover candles, so nothing goes to waste.

Table decorations

If you are planning a dinner where children will be present or, more simply, you want to bring a funny touch to the table, you can make some cute little mice that are excellent to accompany the dish of cheese.

• Clean the half shell of the walnut and place it on a flat surface
• Glue them in correspondence with the nose and eyes of the black peppercorns
• Place circles of sugar paste (or other modeling paste) in place of the ears.
• Glue a piece of kitchen string in place of the tail

Christmas decorations

Christmas is the time of year when the nuts takes over our tables. By recovering the walnut shells and gluing them together again, you can create some Christmas decorations For the tree. To make one like the one you see in the photo, simply glue on the eyes and nose (a small red pom pom), then the ears. But first, the ribbon you'll use to hang them.

Small gift boxes

How to reuse walnut shellsYou can still use them to create small but precious gift packageThey can easily hold engagement rings, bracelets, or earrings. To make them more suitable for the precious gift they contain, after thoroughly cleaning the inside, spray them with gold (or silver) metallic paint.

Crafts for children

Thanks to their particular concave shape, walnut shells can be used as a base for crafts for children super creative. During autumn, for example, you can transform them into cute little boats with seasonal products. Get:

• 1 walnut shell
• 1 small pine cone
• 1 sprig of wood
• 1 acorn
• 1 dry leaf

Assemble everything as shown in the photo, gluing each piece together with hot glue. Get the children to help: they can pass you all the components one by one.

Message box

We like to think of nuts as small mysterious chestsWhy not paint them with gold paint and insert mini messages in the form of scrolls? You could use this creative recycling idea at the end of a dinner party or a party with friends. Each guest will get one, with its own message to discover (a bit like fortune cookies!).

Hair dye

The use of the walnut shells for hair. Well, crushed and boiled in a little water, they turn into a natural dye to cover gray hairSimply let the water cool for about 30 minutes, then strain the liquid and pour it over your washed and towel-dried hair. Leave it on for about half an hour, then rinse and dry thoroughly. You'll notice how, wash after wash, the White hair they will be noticed less and less.

In homemade soaps

Infine, if you love creating the homemade soaps, you can make them exfoliants Add a small amount of finely chopped walnut shells. Packaged in attractive packaging, they make excellent gifts.

Read also:

• Walnuts: Benefits, Uses, and Contraindications
• Walnut oil: properties, benefits and uses
• Homemade walnut liqueur