26 March 2012

Eggshells for Planters

Have you ever planted seeds in eggshells? This spring we’re trying a new-to-us way of starting seeds inside. We’ve tried other ways in the past, all to no avail – this time we’re hoping the story will end with a “happily ever after” (plants growing strong, maturing, and bearing fruit in season).

The process of planting was most enjoyable. (Excepting, of course, for the centipede squirming around in the bucket of dirt.) A few easy-to-come-by “ingredients” were needed:

  • Eggshells & Egg-trays
  • Bucket of dirt
  • Seeds
  • Water

We filled the shells in the kitchen – and even our dog Bently seemed to enjoy the process by sneaking a few bites of dirt. (Perhaps he’s low on some minerals?)

Following is a pictorial version of the seed-planting process…

Eggshell Labels

Filling with Dirt

Seeds

Planting

Watering

Eggshell Planting

A hole was poked into the bottom of each one so that any excess water could drain. When it comes time to transplant them to the garden, we will simply crunch the shell so that the roots can exit and plant the whole thing.

It’s fascinating to think that something as small as a seed will grow into many meals come summertime. God works wonders!

Have you started planting your garden? Do you start your seeds inside or outside?




  1. 29 Responses to “Eggshells, Dirt, & Seeds”

  2. Rhonda on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Creative(as I’ve come to expect from you Brookshire ladies:) and lovely!


  3. Samantha on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    What a neat idea!!! Egg shells are one thing we are not lacking of, here! I’m definitely telling my mom about this idea! What did you write on the egg shell with? Just a permanent marker?


  4. Emily Rose on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Samantha, yes, it’s a great way to put those egg shells to use! We did use permanent marker to write on the eggs and it worked very well.


  5. Cheri on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    What an interesting (and fun!) way to sow seeds indoors. I’ve always had futile results in being able to grow plants from seeds up until the last couple of years, but I quite honestly don’t know what I’ve done different! :)

    Just this last week we started a couple of trays (like this: http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/grow-kits/eco-friendly-ultimate-growing-system-prod002752.html?catId=2211) of sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes (Brandywine and Black Krim are our newest favorites), sweet peppers in nearly every shade, and zinnas for a flower garden. This week I need to start the lettuces and herbs, and several other flowers for gardens.


  6. Anna on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Interesting idea. And that way the egg shells don’t go to waste and it looks cute. I’ll have to keep that in mind.


  7. Grace on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Oh, I have always wanted to try that! Thank you so much for the tutorial. ;)

    Blessings,
    Grace


  8. Dawn P. on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Such a lovely idea! Eggs are one the menu today….and so begins our seed starting! Thank you for such a lovely inspiration!


  9. Lisa on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    We did that this year and it works great! We used the styrofoam cartons (lids and egg holes) to hold the egg shells and used the cardboard cartons as seed starters themselves. The cardboard ones can be cut apart and planted directly into the ground just like the egg shells. Both are working great so far this year. Good luck!


  10. Sue on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    Cute idea, I do have to mention (because I have started LOTS of veggies in the house) that the main reason for failure would be using regular dirt or compost for starting seeds indoors. You pretty much HAVE to use sterile seed starting mix or your little baby plants will die. It doesn’t seem to make sense because you can plant seeds directly in the garden and not have this problem. But in my experience, every time I’ve used non-sterile soil, my little plants have died from “damping off” (look that up….hope this helps!


  11. Mary on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    oh, thank you for this awesome idea!
    the kids and i are going to have so much fun!


  12. Farrah on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    What a great idea! Good luck!!!


  13. Seeking to Follow on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    I have a few lettuce plants that survived the winter (very mild here this year), and I’ve started a whole tray of cilantro for making salsa later in the year. I love when everything starts coming alive this time of year. :)


  14. Jaime on Mar 26, 2012 said:

    I’m doing this for the first time this year too! My boys helped me scoop the dirt in, add the seeds, and water them. It took less than a week for our seeds to sprout, and it’s such a great learning experience for my kids.


  15. Laura Adams on Mar 27, 2012 said:

    This is a clever idea. I’ll have to keep this in mind for when I do ever plant a garden. I hope to someday when we have a house.


  16. Esther on Mar 27, 2012 said:

    Oh, yes we have already started planting our garden. It seems the warm weather this year had come early! I never have seen that way of starting you seeds, very clever! We have done both ways of planting, I like to start the plants from seeds. This year we are doing both seeds and already pre-started plants.

    I just love this time of year when you can go outside and get your hands dirty:)

    Thanks for the great idea of using eggshells!


  17. Tulip on Mar 27, 2012 said:

    wow, we haven’t even begun on our garden yet. We have a few ideas on what we’d like to plant, but that’s just about it! I love the eggshell idea. I’ve never really thought of doing that before, but the idea makes sense. I might have to see if we can try it this year. Thanks for sharing, and, as usual, your photographs are superb!


  18. Julee on Mar 28, 2012 said:

    I love this post. Simple, simple, simple. I’ll be back for more. God bless!


  19. Rachel Hope on Mar 28, 2012 said:

    What a neat idea ! I wish we got enough sun in CT to grow a really nice garden, but where we live alas we do not. Its so lovely to see others gardens taking shape so soon. Lovely photographs as always.
    Blessings
    Rachel Hope


  20. kathryn on Apr 1, 2012 said:

    What a great idea, i cant wait to try it myself!


  21. Jessie W. on Apr 4, 2012 said:

    What a sweet idea! I would love to try this some time. :)

    Miss you!


  22. Joanne Bischof on Apr 19, 2012 said:

    such a great idea. We have chickens so I have an endless supply of shells. I will have to give this a try! Your photos are beautiful.


  23. Jess on Apr 29, 2012 said:

    Hi Emily Rose,
    Linked to this post on my blog – I think we were both planting seeds in egg cartons on the same day on opposite sides of the world! I hope the link back and photo credit worked fine – please let me know if you would like me to modify or delete.
    Good growing!
    Jess


  24. Camellia on Jan 30, 2013 said:

    Was wondering how your eggshell seed starters fared? Did they allow the seedling to grow big enough to plant directly in the garden? Have been considering doing this as a novelty gift to sell, but have not seen much info as to how well they really work. Thanks! I rediscover your blog from time to time and always enjoy it. Finally got it bookmarked!


  25. Emily Rose on Feb 18, 2013 said:

    Camellia, some fared well and others not so well. We’re not sure what variables made the difference. If you do choose this route, do make sure to bury the shells well, as some critters dug up a few of our young plants for the eggshell.


  26. Carol Laitala on Feb 18, 2013 said:

    This is so-ooo awesome!! I am going to do this for sure!!! What a grand idea!! I’m thinking I’ll crush up the shells as suggested and add them to the dirt…can’t hurt!!!!


  27. PHYLLIS on Feb 18, 2013 said:

    WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TOP OFF EGG?


  28. Emily Rose on Feb 18, 2013 said:

    Phyllis, you can crack the egg like usual, either on the edge of a bowl or on a flat counter. Just make sure to tap it closer to an end so that the breaking point leaves at least ⅔ of the eggshell intact.


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