I love pistachio nuts for their aromatic, earthy taste, but I hate waste, so what to do with the shells? Easy, as I have found that the leftover shells provide an excellent drainage material for plant containers.
The shells will prove invaluable when preparing your winter container displays and for spring bulb pots. Good container drainage is essential for keeping plants healthy and happy, especially in winter.
I like to recycle as much as I can in the garden. Pistachio shells make a great natural alternative to pebbles or broken crocks. They are much lighter for a start and filter water well.
Just add an inch layer to the base of the plant container. They can also be mixed into the compost to aid drainage and aeration.
A thick layer at the bottom of a house plant container is another great way to use the shells and can act as a reservoir for pots without drainage holes, resulting in less watering.
Ideally, you would want unsalted ones, but if they are salted, you only have to wash the shells before use. It is as simple as that.
