Can egg cartons be used to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

What seeds can I start in egg cartons?

Big seeds such as beans, corn, squash, cucumbers, and sunflowers are easy to handle and germinate rapidly. Half gallon-size milk and juice cartons – Great as holders for smaller cartons or cups.

Can you use egg cartons to grow seedlings?

Place one egg carton cup directly in each hole. Fill in the hole around the egg carton with a little more soil if needed, but be sure to leave the seedling uncovered so that it can get sunlight and water. The cardboard egg carton cup will eventually decompose leaving just the plant.

How do you plant cardboard egg carton seeds?

Take your Styrofoam egg carton and use a knife or other sharp implement to poke holes in the bottom of each cell. Fill with potting soil. Lightly fill each egg tray cell with potting soil. Read the instructions for each kind of seed you plan to grow.

How long do egg carton seedlings last?

Egg cartons make convenient planting partners, but their small size can put your seeds at risk of drying out. In order to avoid this, be sure to add the cover, which should have plastic wrap over it, overnight. Depending on the plant and soil conditions, it takes 1-2 weeks to germinate.

Starting Seeds in Egg Cartons

What grows well in egg cartons?

Egg carton gardening is an easy way to start vegetables, flowers, and herbs like oregano, thyme, or parsley. With simple materials that you already have in the kitchen, you can try this cheap gardening experiment with the kids to get them excited about your spring garden!

Can you start tomato seeds in egg cartons?

You can take those seeds or try some other vegetable or fruit seeds to start in an egg carton seed starter. I like to use tomatoes because they're easy to grow and don't take up too much space in the garden.

Do egg cartons break down in soil?

An old egg carton makes a good propagating unit – the individual sections can be planted out directly in the soil to reduce transplant shock and the roots will grow through the cardboard as it breaks down.

What can you start seeds in?

You can start seeds in almost any type of container, as long as it's at least 2-3" deep and has some drainage holes. If you are the DIY type, you might want to grow seedlings in yogurt cups, milk cartons or paper cups. I prefer the convenience of trays that are made especially for seed starting.

When should I start my seeds indoors?

In general, you should start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date in your area.

Why is there a cardboard tube in my planter?

Just open up the little slits at the bottom and plant it, tube and all. The cardboard will disintegrate slowly and help to add nourishment to the soil. Cardboard is also like a worm magnet and brings them to the soil, which helps to aerate the soil. What is this?

Does fruit last longer in egg cartons?

Berry Saver To keep strawberries fresh longer, store them in a cardboard egg carton. It allows air to circulate around the fruit better than if berries are left in the containers in which they're typically sold.

Can you plant two tomatoes in one hole?

Have a little bit wider hole, put together 2 plants, but very close to each other, stick their stems with the tape and after 2-3 weeks they were like one plant at the bottom. So I just cut the less vigorous stem of two and let this tomato-tree grow approx. on the same area underground.

Can I start seeds in Styrofoam egg cartons?

Cardboard egg cartons work much the same way and are easy to use for germinating and growing seeds. Styrofoam egg cartons can be used as well; however, remove the plant from the styrofoam carton before transplanting because it does not break down in the soil.

Can I use potting soil to start seeds?

You can definitely start seeds in potting soil. Vegetable seeds such as tomatoes, cabbage, and pepper germinate easily in potting soil.

Is it better to plant seeds in the morning or evening?

Seeds need warmth to germinate--temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees--and sunlight works best. Seeds thrive on about 12 to 16 hours of sun each day. Only morning planting will allow seeds immediate substantial sunlight exposure.

What do I do after my seeds sprout?

As your seedlings grow, use a fan on them for a few hours a day to stress them a little. Also, allow them to dry out a bit by missing a watering and a fertilizing once a week and put them in a cool spot at night. Your plants will be a lot stronger and more able to survive better on their own outside.

Do egg cartons work as peat pots?

Germinate Seeds In Egg Cartons

Garden centers are packed with supplies that simplify the process of planting seeds indoors, including garden trays, celled planting trays and biodegradable peat pots. Egg cartons are so simple to plant that even a young child can plant a junior garden.

Are coffee grounds good for plants?

Coffee Beans

Coffee grounds have a high nitrogen content, along with a few other nutrients plants can use. In compost, they help create organic matter that improves the ability of soil to hold water.