How to Root Garden Seeds in an Eggshell

Remove the lid of an empty, cardboard egg carton., 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., Empty...

29 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Remove the lid of an empty

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.

Step 2: cardboard egg carton.

, Stir the skewer around a bit to ensure that the yolk is broken. , Immediately refrigerate the egg for cooking use. (See "Warnings" below.) ,,, Moisten the sand with a few drops of water, about a 1/2 teaspoon.

You may substitute the bits of crumbled eggshell (that you removed in Step #5) for sand when lining the bottom of the shell. , With the skewer, position the paper over the sandy bottom and add a few more drops of water if needed. ,, Allow the water to saturate the soil before adding more water.

Water should not be floating on 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. ,,,, Add a teaspoon or two of water to keep the soil moist, but not wet. ,,,

Step 3: Gently crack a fresh egg at the "pointy" end

Step 4: creating an opening in the shell about the size of a dime.

Step 5: Insert a kitchen skewer through the shell's opening and pierce the yolk of the egg.

Step 6: Empty the egg's contents into a small bowl or other vessel.

Step 7: With your fingers

Step 8: carefully pinch the opening until you have removed about one third of the shell.

Step 9: Rinse the shell out with water.

Step 10: Between your thumb and forefinger

Step 11: add a few pinches of sand into the eggshell to a a depth of about 1/8".

Step 12: Tear a small section of paper towel

Step 13: paper napkin

Step 14: or newspaper just large enough to cover the sand.

Step 15: Using a spoon

Step 16: fill the shell with potting soil to about 1/4" to 1/2" below the shell opening.

Step 17: Add water one teaspoon at a time to moisten the soil.

Step 18: Place the soil-filled shell into the sectioned part of the cardboard egg carton.

Step 19: Using the skewer

Step 20: create a small indentation in the center of the soil.

Step 21: Line the inside of the egg carton lid with aluminum foil.

Step 22: Place the "planted" part of the carton atop the aluminum foil.

Step 23: Find a sunny spot for your starter garden to rest and the seeds will begin to germinate.

Step 24: Check your starter garden daily.

Step 25: Depending on the type of seeds you have used

Step 26: you should begin to see growth sprouts in 10 to 14 days.

Step 27: As the seedlings reach a height of about 2 inches (5cm)

Step 28: plant the entire carton (excluding the foil-lined lid) into the outdoor garden spot you've chosen for your new sprouts.

Step 29: Continue to check your seedlings daily for their growth and their water needs.

Detailed Guide