Hey there fellow gardeners! I’m gonna share something interesting that happened to me last week while I was working in my garden. I discovered this mysterious large white egg buried in the soil and boy, was I puzzled! After doing some research and consulting with other gardening experts, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
What Could That Mysterious Egg Be?
Let me break down the most common sources of buried eggs you might find:
1. Wild Birds
- Ground-nesting birds like pheasants, turkeys, and grouse often lay white eggs
- They sometimes get spooked and abandon their nesting spots
- These eggs are usually pretty big (over 2 inches long)
- The shells are hard and smooth to touch
2. Sneaky Predators
- Foxes and weasels are notorious egg thieves
- They steal eggs from domestic birds and bury them for later
- Think of it as their personal underground fridge!
- Sometimes they forget about their hidden treasure
3. Reptilian Surprises
- Turtles and some snakes lay eggs in loose soil
- Their eggs have a softer, leathery feel
- Usually more elongated than bird eggs
- Often found near ponds or water sources
How to Play Detective: Identifying Your Mystery Egg
Here’s what you should look for:
-
Size Matters
- Large (>2 inches): Likely from bigger birds
- Medium: Could be domestic fowl
- Small (<1 inch): Possibly reptilian or small birds
-
Shell Texture
- Smooth and hard = Bird egg
- Leathery and soft = Reptile egg
- Clustered in pouches = Might be insect eggs
-
Location Clues
- Near water? Think turtle or water birds
- Garden bed? Could be fox stash
- Under bushes? Possibly ground-nesting birds
What Should You Do? My Practical Tips
-
Don’t Panic!
- First rule – keep calm and assess the situation
- Most buried eggs are harmless
-
Safety First
- Wear gloves if you need to handle the egg
- Don’t immediately grab it – observe first
- Watch for nearby animal activity
-
When to Leave It Alone
- If it looks like a wild bird egg
- If there’s nest-like material around
- If you see parent birds nearby
-
When to Remove It
- If it’s clearly damaged
- If you spot predator activity
- If it’s attracting unwanted critters
My Personal Experience and Tips
When I found my first buried egg, I freaked out a bit (who wouldn’t?). But after carefully observing it for a day, I noticed a mother pheasant sneaking around. So, I left it alone and was rewarded with seeing the little ones a few weeks later!
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Take pictures before disturbing anything
- Set up a simple wildlife camera if possible
- Keep pets away from the area
- Mark the spot but don’t disturb it
Common Scenarios You Might Face
Scenario 1: Garden Bed Discovery
If you’re digging and find an egg:
- Stop digging immediately
- Document the location
- Look for signs of animal activity
- Consider relocating your gardening spot temporarily
Scenario 2: Lawn Mowing Surprise
When mowing reveals eggs:
- Mark the area
- Create a small protective barrier
- Adjust your mowing pattern
- Wait a few weeks before mowing that spot
FAQ Time!
Q: Can I move the egg if it’s in my way?
A: Better not to, unless absolutely necessary. Many wild bird eggs are protected by law.
How long should I wait before taking out an egg that has been left behind? A: Watch it for at least a week before deciding it’s been left behind.
Q: What if I accidentally damaged the egg?
A: Remove it to prevent attracting predators and wash the area thoroughly.
Final Thoughts
Finding a big white egg buried in the ground can be quite the garden mystery! You might want to get rid of it right away, but the best thing to do is usually to take some time to look at it and figure out where it came from. Remember that animals share our gardens with us, so we have to be patient and work around their schedules sometimes.
Keep your eyes peeled and your garden gloves handy! If you’ve had similar experiences, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Happy gardening, folks!
P.S. Don’t forget to share this article with your gardening buddies – you never know when they might need this info!
Is saprophytic fungi toxic or harmful?
The vast majority of fungi are saprophytic and feed on organic matter. They are usually harmless and in fact, beneficial. They may mean that your indoor plant isn’t in the best of conditions, but a few of them shouldn’t hurt it if you catch them early. There are a few types of fungi, called pathogenic fungi, that can be harmful and cause things like plant diseases.
How do you get rid of saprophytic fung..
Water less, provide better ventilation and better drainage (or all 3), and thats usually all thats needed for the fungi to naturally stop replicating and die off. More light can help also.
You can remove the fungi (while wearing a breathing mask). Carefully scoop those clusters of fuzzy balls out and into the bin or your compost heap. Dont worry if you cant get them all. If youre allergic to mould, best to glove and mask up, or ideally get someone else to remove it for you just in case. Don’t let the plant’s roots rot if the soil’s surface is very wet. Help the plant dry out as well. A warmer spot with more light will help soil dry out faster.
You can also sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon over the surface of the soil to help prevent it growing back. Cinnamaldehyde is what gives cinnamon its flavour and scent, which is also a natural fungicide that helps prevent mould growth.
Ive seen vinegar suggested also, but I would not personally use vinegar on plants or soil myself. Firstly, fungus and mould can survive the acid of vinegar, but your plants roots might not.
Another natural anti-fungal treatment that will kill the spores without harming your plant is good old hydrogen peroxide. No, not the stuff used to turn your hair blonde, you want the diluted 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide. I use Forsana in the 3% dilution (for those in New Zealand), or another good one for my international plant friends is Essential Oxygen.
Hydrogen peroxide has so many uses for our plants, including fungus gnats, root rot, sterilising soil and more. Here are the top 7 uses for hydrogen peroxide for plants (including dilution rates and and how to apply).