What To Do With Walnut Hulls

Walnut hulls can be used in a surprising number of practical and creative ways around your home and garden.
 
If you’ve ever cracked a batch of black walnuts and ended up staring at a pile of stubborn hulls, you’re not alone.
 
Most people toss them without a second thought, but those tough outer shells are actually packed with useful properties.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through what to do with walnut hulls, from gardening tricks to natural dyes and even cleaning solutions.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

What to Do With Walnut Hulls in Your Garden

One of the best answers to what to do with walnut hulls starts right in your backyard.
 
Gardeners have been using them for generations, and for good reason.
 
Here are the main ways walnut hulls can help your garden thrive.
 

1. Use Them as a Natural Weed Killer

Walnut hulls contain juglone, a compound that’s toxic to certain plants.
 
That might sound like a downside, but it’s actually a bonus when you’re trying to kill weeds.
 
Spread crushed walnut hulls around walkways, driveways, or anywhere you want to suppress unwanted growth.
 
Just keep them away from your prized tomatoes and peppers, since juglone can harm them too.
 

2. Make a Natural Pest Deterrent

If slugs and ants are marching through your garden, walnut hulls can help push them back.
 
The rough texture and bitter compounds make the hulls unpleasant for many crawling pests.
 
Scatter a ring of crushed hulls around plants you want to protect.
 
It’s a simple, chemical-free way to put those leftover hulls to work.
 

3. Add Them to Compost (Carefully)

You can compost walnut hulls, but there’s a catch.
 
Because of the juglone, it’s best to compost them separately or in small amounts.
 
Let them break down for several months before using the finished compost.
 
That way, the juglone has time to degrade and won’t hurt sensitive plants.
 

Creative Ways to Use Walnut Hulls for Dye and Crafts

Beyond the garden, figuring out what to do with walnut hulls opens up a whole world of DIY projects.
 
Their deep brown pigment has been prized for centuries.
 

1. Make Natural Fabric Dye

Walnut hulls are one of the best natural dye sources out there.
 
Simmer them in water for a few hours, strain the liquid, and you’ve got a rich brown dye.
 
Soak fabric, yarn, or even paper in the dye bath to give it a warm, earthy tone.
 
The longer you soak, the darker the color gets.
 

2. Stain Wood and Leather

That same dye liquid works wonders on wood and leather.
 
Rub it onto furniture, tool handles, or leather goods to add a natural, antique finish.
 
It’s a favorite trick among woodworkers who want an authentic look without synthetic stains.
 

3. Create Ink for Art Projects

You can also reduce the dye down further to make a thick, dark ink.
 
Use it for calligraphy, sketching, or stamping.
 
It’s a fun way to turn a pile of walnut hulls into something you’d normally buy at an art store.
 

Practical Household Uses for Walnut Hulls

If you’re still wondering what to do with walnut hulls around the house, there are plenty of options.
 
These uses are simple, frugal, and surprisingly effective.
 

1. Make a Natural Abrasive Cleaner

Ground walnut hulls are a gentle abrasive.
 
Sprinkle them onto a damp cloth and scrub stubborn stains off pots, pans, or outdoor tools.
 
They lift grime without scratching surfaces the way harsh chemicals can.
 

2. Use Them as Mulch

A layer of walnut hulls makes a sturdy, long-lasting mulch.
 
It holds moisture, blocks weeds, and slowly breaks down to feed the soil.
 
Just avoid using it around juglone-sensitive plants like tomatoes, potatoes, and azaleas.
 

3. Repel Insects Naturally

Place dried walnut hulls in cloth sachets and tuck them into drawers or closets.
 
Their strong scent helps keep moths and other insects away.
 
It’s an old-fashioned remedy that still works today.
 

4. Feed Them to Chickens

If you keep chickens, walnut hulls can be a healthy scratch addition.
 
They provide grit and small amounts of nutrients.
 
Just offer them in moderation and make sure the birds have plenty of fresh water.
 

So, What to Do With Walnut Hulls?

Walnut hulls can be turned into garden helpers, natural dyes, household cleaners, and more.
 
Instead of tossing them in the trash, you now have a long list of practical ways to put them to work.
 
Whether you’re a gardener, a crafter, or just someone who hates waste, there’s a use for every hull.
 
So next time you’re cracking walnuts, don’t be so quick to throw away the shells.