You can start your gardening indoors early in the spring by starting seedlings in egg cartons. It’s very inexpensive!
I have been hearing a LOT more people talk about gardening this year. With the state of the economy more people are turning to the idea of growing their own produce. Even a small garden (or even containers on a patio/balcony) can mean savings on fresh vegetables.
One thing to keep in mind is that it is MUCH cheaper to grow your garden from seeds rather than buying plants from the nursery or garden store. If you have someone you can share seed packets with it’s even better since you generally won’t need whole packets unless you have a decent amount of garden space.
Last year I wrote about starting seeds in egg cartonsearly and I’m thinking it would be a good idea to run it again. We have a late growing season here so I still have a few weeks to get started, but you may need to start ASAP depending on where you are located.
To starts seeds I use this handy egg carton method that is CHEAP, EASY & GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
How to Start Seedlings in Egg Cartons
All you need to do is take paper egg cartons (styrofoam won’t work for this purpose) and cut off the lids. Fill each cup with potting soil and add your seeds, placing them at the depth indicated on the seed packet.
Place the cups on a shallow tray. Jelly roll pans would work for this, but I use an old plastic boot tray.
Then fill the tray with water. The water will soak up through the cups. Cover the trays with plastic wrap and keep in a warm sunny place. When your seedlings are ready for the garden, just cut the cups apart and plant the seedlings (cups and all) right into the garden.
Over time the cups themselves will erode away in the soil, allowing your plants to grow.
For other ways to start you seedlings, you can try paper towel seed starters or DIY Paper Towel Roll Seed Starters.
Find more gardening tips here!
Pandy says
How can you sterilize the egg cartons before planting the seeds? I tried this a few years ago and it started growing mold on top of the soil. Advise much appreciated.
Chrysa says
I haven’t had this particular problem, but I do know others that wipe down the egg cartons with vinegar to sanitize them.
desiree says
i love the idea i have over 300 p;ant in house an they re doing great i do have to do seed soon but our egg carton are styrrfor and then i dohave seeders
Jinxy and Me says
I’m so glad that it worked out for you! It is definitely my favorite of all the ways I have tried.
JACKIE says
I just wanted to thank you for the egg carton garden information. I started my tomato seeds in the egg carton but I was not sure about what to do with them after they started to grow. So I will surly up them right into the ground. I also started all the larger seeds like cantalope and beans in the baggie method. My kids get a kick out of watching them sprout but my kids call it getting arms.
Thank you once again. And Happy gardening and a Great growing season,
Emily B says
Oooh, thanks! I had horrible lck with my seeds last year. I think I’ll give this a try this year. Thanks for the suggestions!
Ali says
Awesome post! I am doing this too, along with the Burpee seed starting tray my sister gave me when they moved. I am also using non-paper egg cartons, applesauce & yogurt cups, cut off 20 oz bottles…whatever I can get my hands on lol! You just can’t stick those straight in the ground and have to make sure they don’t dry out =)
~Sara says
I have heard of people doing this! They look great!
Sarah Eliza says
Great Works for Me tip! I don’t have any cardboard egg cartons at the moment so I can’t do it now, but next year for sure! Thanks — looking forward to clicking around your site!
Becca says
I did this this year. I tried cutting toilet paper cardboard rolls in half as well. I think that worked better for tomatoes, since I could just stick the whole roll in a bigger pot.
I also kept the lids and put soil in to start some herb and flower seeds. I figure they don’t need to be as precise for some reason.
~*Michelle*~ says
VERY cool idea! thanks!
Rebecca says
lovin’ this idea. I just copied the link into an e-mail to my hubby. And now I’ll go to bed so he knows I love him. Can’t believe I stayed up this late to get my post in! Brother!