Lets use eggshells to plant seeds!
Remove the lid of an empty, cardboard egg carton.
Remove the lid of an empty, cardboard egg carton. Set the lid and the bottom (sectioned) part of the carton aside for later use.
- Do not use a Styrofoam carton. This won’t break down in the soil.
Gently crack a fresh egg at the “pointy” end, creating an opening in the shell about the size of a dime.
Gently crack a fresh egg at the “pointy” end, creating an opening in the shell about the size of a dime.
Insert a kitchen skewer through the shell’s opening and pierce the yolk of the egg.
Insert a kitchen skewer through the shell’s opening and pierce the yolk of the egg. Stir the skewer around a bit to ensure that the yolk is broken.
Empty the egg’s contents into a small bowl or other vessel.
Empty the egg’s contents into a small bowl or other vessel. Immediately refrigerate the egg for cooking use. (See “Warnings” below.)
With your fingers, carefully pinch the opening until you have removed about one third of the shell.
With your fingers, carefully pinch the opening until you have removed about one third of the shell.
Rinse the shell out with water.
Rinse the shell out with water.
Between your thumb and forefinger, add a few pinches of sand into the eggshell to a a depth of about 1/8″.
Between your thumb and forefinger, add a few pinches of sand into the eggshell to a a depth of about 1/8″. Moisten the sand with a few drops of water, about a 1/2 teaspoon.
- You may substitute the bits of crumbled egg shell (that you removed in Step #5) for sand when lining the bottom of the shell.
Tear a small section of paper towel, paper napkin, or newspaper just large enough to cover the sand.
Tear a small section of paper towel, paper napkin, or newspaper just large enough to cover the sand. With the skewer, position the paper over the sandy bottom and add a few more drops of water if needed.
Using a spoon, fill the shell with potting soil to about 1/4″ to 1/2″ below the shell opening.
Using a spoon, fill the shell with potting soil to about 1/4″ to 1/2″ below the shell opening.
Add water one teaspoon at a time to moisten the soil.
Add water one teaspoon at a time to moisten the soil. Allow the water to saturate the soil before adding more water. Water should not be floating on the soil.
Place the soil-filled shell into the sectioned part of the cardboard egg carton.
Place the soil-filled shell into the sectioned part of the cardboard egg carton.
Using the skewer, create a small indentation in the center of the soil.
Using the skewer, create a small indentation in the center of the soil. The indentation/hole should be no deeper than 1/4″.
- Place a seed into the indentation/hole and lightly cover the seed with soil.
- Moisten the soil again with a few drops of water.
Line the inside of the egg carton lid with aluminum foil.
Line the inside of the egg carton lid with aluminum foil.
Place the “planted” part of the carton atop the aluminum foil.
Place the “planted” part of the carton atop the aluminum foil.
Find a sunny spot for your starter garden to rest and the seeds will begin to germinate.
Find a sunny spot for your starter garden to rest and the seeds will begin to germinate.
Check your starter garden daily.
Check your starter garden daily. Add a teaspoon or two of water to keep the soil moist, but not wet.
Depending on the type of seeds you have used, you should begin to see growth sprouts in 10 to 14 days.
Depending on the type of seeds you have used, you should begin to see growth sprouts in 10 to 14 days.
As the seedlings reach a height of about 2 inches (5cm), plant the entire carton (excluding the foil-lined lid) into the outdoor garden spot you’ve chosen for your new sprouts.
As the seedlings reach a height of about 2 inches (5cm), plant the entire carton (excluding the foil-lined lid) into the outdoor garden spot you’ve chosen for your new sprouts.
Continue to check your seedlings daily for their growth and their water needs.
Continue to check your seedlings daily for their growth and their water needs.
…For more on these tips click here
Please share your comments or experiences with us regarding these tips. Have fun!
Want to list your home with Stellenbosch properties?
