You can start seeds in almost anything these days... peat pots, seed trays, toilet paper rolls, newspaper rolls, paper towels, or even that good old-fashioned thing called the ground. But have you tried to start seeds in eggshells? It almost seems like an urban myth, with rumors that it's possible, but little proof of people who have actually done it successfully. Well, I can say with absolute certainty that it works, it's ridiculously easy, and yes, it's even practical.
While you can't start a whole season of vegetable seedlings in eggshells, it's handy if you just want to start a few herbs or flowers indoors, and have limited space in your house. An egg carton fits perfectly on a small windowsill, and by the time you're ready to transplant the seedlings, everything goes back into the cycle by way of planting, composting or recycling.
What You Need
Materials
Empty eggshell halves, rinsed
Recycled egg carton
Seed-starting mix
Seeds (small seeds such as herbs and flowers work best)
Instructions
1. Start with clean eggshells. It's fine to use unevenly cracked shells, as long as you have at least half the shell intact.
2. Arrange your eggshells in the carton. Using a spoon, fill each "pot" with pre-moistened seed-starting soil.
3. Place a couple of seeds in each pot according to your seed-sowing instructions. Leave the carton in a sunny south-facing window.
4. Lightly mist the soil with a spray bottle every couple of days as needed. Since there are no drainage holes, take care not to overwater. A fine mist is all that's needed for young seedlings. When your seedlings have emerged, snip the weakest or smallest ones to allow the largest seedling room to grow.
5. After your seedling has developed its first set of true leaves, you can transplant it into a larger pot or directly in your garden. Gently crush the shell and remove a few shards around the bottom. You can plant the whole thing this way, and the eggshell will decompose in the soil, feeding extra nutrients to your seedling.
6. Tear apart the egg carton and toss it into your compost pile, or add it to your recycling bin.
Thanks, Linda!
(Images: Linda Ly)
(Re-edited from a post originally published on 8.02.2011 - CM)
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Experimented with this method last spring and it worked really well, I'd recommend it!
what a great idea! must try this, since I always use a bunch of those plastic cups, and they're neither practical nor this cute!
Great idea, i love that the shell can be thrown right in the ground with the plant!
Perfect way to re-purpose, up-cycle, re-cycle and keeping everything green. Nicely done.
love this!
I just tried it with basil, and it was an epic failure. Out of 12 shells, only 4 sprouted, and they all died within a few days. I have however, had great success with TP rolls, and have a ton of parsley plants to show for it this year!
I attempted this last summer, but did not use egg shells. It, too, was an epic failure! Perhaps, the egg shells are the key?
I'm experimenting right now with half of my seeds planted in the shells and half in the cardboard cartons themselves. There is a CLEAR difference showing that the shells work much better. My seedlings in the shells are all an inch or two tall, and the ones in the cartons are just starting to sprout now. Planted 10 days ago!
When seeds get water and the right temperature (some also want light), they will sprout. Why should eggshells work any differently than peat pots, plastic pots, or toilet paper rolls? The only variable here is the drainage/water retention. You don't let plants sit in water and you keep seedlings moist.
Any plant container without drainage just makes sprouting seeds or growing plants that much more difficult because it's a guessing game whether you've watered too little or not enough.
Those ugly plastic cell packs that you get at nurseries with starter plants can be re-used many times for sprouting seeds, but certainly aren't as photogenic as brown egg shells......
I planted sunflower seeds in egg cartons and ice cube trays a few weeks ago. So far it's a huge success and I can reuse them once I transplant the starters.
Where can I buy seed starting mix? It is different from regular potting soil, right?
I was contemplating whether I should buy seed starting fiber pots... now I have a better solution! Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
I poke holes in the bottom of my shells with a metal skewer...the carton helps retain the moisture, but the holes keep the seedlings from getting too wet.
I planted a third of mine in egg shells, a third in TP rolls, and the last third in old tube socks. So far, the tube socks seedlings are doing the best. What is the meaning of this??!
Potting soil is different than seed starting soil. In the Square Foot Gardening book the author recommends an equal mix of peat moss (although I hear coconut husk is a more sustainable alternative), Vermiculite, and Compost (best if you use homemade or you can buy 5 different kinds from different manufacturers and mix them together). I believe there are brands that use these ingredients in their seed starting mixes.