How To Start Seeds In Eggshells ~ An Easy Step by Step Approach

Will Spring Ever Arrive?

 

I can tell that March has arrived.  I have that desire to get out into the yard and start working in my gardens…..also known as Spring Fever.  

Here in Southeastern Wisconsin the weather is not cooperating.  This year we have been hit with one snow storm after another.  At this time last year the temperatures were already in the 70’s.  Now, we still have well over a foot of snow on the ground as I anxiously await to work in my gardens.  

For now all I can do is dream and plan for my garden.  While I have waited for the snow to melt, I needed to bring spring inside.  Planting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jumpstart on your gardening season. So lets get started shall we?

 

Benefits For Using Eggshells For Your Garden 

 

Today I’d like to show you how to use eggshells as pots for you future plants.  What a great way to recycle what you have to create a healthy plant!  And an added bonus…No waste and it won’t cost you anything more to get started.

How great is that…and when the weather is just right you can put the entire seedling into the ground and the eggshell will provide nutrients for the plant.  According to my source,

Eggshells benefit your garden by:

• Fertilizing ~ eggshells fertilize your garden.  They are a great source of calcium and other minerals, so they are a great compost for your garden.
• Pest Control ~ snails, slugs and even deer hate eggshells.  This is a great way to protect your garden from unwanted creatures.
• Create the best tomato plants with the help of eggshells ~ tomatoes plants can get blossom end rot which is a lack of calcium and can destroy your tomato plant.  Simply put some crushed eggshells in the bottom of the hole that you dig for your tomato plant and then transplant the tomato plant right into the garden.
• Food for indoor plants ~ Eggshells can be food for indoor plants.  Simply add your clean crushed eggshells to some filtered water and leave in a cool dark place for several days.  You now have some homemade plant food for your indoor plants.

Who knew that egg shells had so many uses!  Of course we have one more use to talk about, starting seeds in eggshells.  Lets dive into this!

 

How To Start Seeds In Eggshells

 

So grab yourself some seeds and lets get started.  I chose to seed two of my favorite annual flowers….four o’clocks and moss roses.  You could also choose to add your favorite cool weather seeds to get a jumpstart on your garden.

Starting seeds in eggshells is a very simple process.  

1. Save your eggshells from breakfast.  Rinse them out so they won’t become sticky or smelly.
2. Add soil to the eggshells.  You want to be sure to use seed starting soil.  This is a lighter soil that allows the root system to grow freely through the plant, creating a strong and healthy plant.
3. Add the seeds to the soil and slightly push down just until the seeds are fully covered.  Make sure you don’t push them to deep.  If they are in the soil to deep, it will take longer for you seedlings to germinate.
4. Water your seeds.  I like to use a spritzer bottle, especially for very small seeds, so that it doesn’t push the seeds to deeply into the soil.  Keep the soil moist, but not soaked.
5. If you really want to give your seeds a jumpstart, use a plastic egg carton and put the lid on.  This will act as a mini greenhouse.  Once your seeds sprout, remove the lid so that mold does not develop.
6. Put them in a sunny window and enjoy watching them grow.  

It made my heart happy to finally see little sprouts shooting up.  The next step is sometimes the hardest…having the patience to wait until the weather is ready to plant outside.  

 

Signs Of Spring & When To Plant Outside

 

If the weather does not cooperate, and your seedlings are ready to go into the soil, you might have to transplant them into a pot until the weather permits.

Simply add some potting soil (it doesn’t have to be seed starting soil anymore) to a pot, add your eggshell and plant right into the soil, and cover with some more potting soil.  Water and continue to grow your plants in a sunny window until the weather permits you to plant outside. 

If your weather is ready for planting, then simply put the eggshell plant right into the soil, eggshell and all!

As you can see, I am going to have to follow the first step, because this is what is going on where I live…STILL SNOWING, but at least it is melting right? 🙂

As I was shoveling out from yet another storm,  I finally got to see a glimpse of spring outside!  

For now, every time I walk into my house I also get to see this grand reminder that new life is ready to spring forward.  

All in good time.

 

Do you start your seeds indoors?  What has been your experiences with starting seeds?