Repurposing Egg Containers for Seedlings: DIY Guide on Creating Cost-Effective Seedling Trays
Ready to dip your green thumb in the fun world of seed starting? Egg cartons are the perfect, wallet-friendly, and Earth-friendly choice! Here's a lowdown on how to make these humble trays work wonders for your seedlings.
A couple of reasons make egg cartons an excellent seed-starting container, especially if you're new to home gardening.
- Budget: Egg cartons are practically free if you often buy eggs! Save up your cartons throughout the winter and ask friends and family to do the same.
- Environment: Reusing materials is always a good deed for our planet. And it saves you from buying expensive seed-starting trays.
- Size and Handling: Egg carton cups are compact, easy to manage, and ideal for many vegetable and flower seedlings. They're also easy to accommodate on a sunny windowsill or a seedling heat mat.
- Drainage and Aeration: Paper-based egg cartons provide adequate drainage and proper aeration, fostering healthy root growth. With their natural shape, they're versatile and can even be planted directly in the garden if needed.
Now, let's dive into what you'll need for your seedling adventure:
- Paper egg cartons
- Seeds (flower and vegetable varieties work well in egg cartons)
- Seed-starting soil
Excited? Here's the scoop on how to get started:
- Choose paper-based egg cartons for the best results. If possible, avoid polystyrene (foam) cartons, as seedlings will need to be carefully removed before transplanting.
- Remove the lid from the carton, and poke drainage holes in the bottom of the egg cups. Place the container lid under the bottom of the carton if desired, to catch draining water.
- Fill each egg cup with moist seed-starting soil.
- Plant seeds according to their individual sowing depth instructions.
- Place the carton on a waterproof tray or pan underneath to collect any excess moisture.
- Place your carton in a warm, well-lit spot - a sunny windowsill or near a seedling heat mat can work wonders.
- Maintain consistent moisture in the soil, keeping it slightly moist, never over-saturated. Consider using a spray bottle to water your seedlings without drowning them.
- Once seeds germinate, gradually expose them to more light and fresh air. A grow light or simply transferring the carton to a brightly lit area can help the seedlings thrive.
- Watch out for any signs of fungal growth or damping off – if you spot them, gently remove the affected seedlings and improve ventilation.
- Once your seedlings develop multiple true leaves and the threat of frost has passed, transplant them directly into your garden (providing the cartons are paper-based).
Extra Tips:
- Repurpose eggshells to create inner pots for each egg cup, adding extra nutrients to your soil. Make sure to clean and poke drainage holes in the shells first.
- Once your seedlings outgrow the egg cartons and feel sturdy enough, carefully pick them up by the leaf or stem, being gentle not to damage the roots.
- Before transplanting outside, 'harden off' your seedlings by exposing them to gradually increasing amounts of outside air for a week.
Egg cartons, being budget-friendly, environmentally friendly, and suitable for various seedlings, are an excellent choice for new home gardeners venturing into seed starting. With paper-based egg cartons, you can start your seedling adventure using seeds appropriate for home-and-gardening, such as flowers and vegetables.
