Simple Eggshell Pots for Sprouting Seeds

Spring Equinox is on its way, when day and night are equal length,
spring officially begins, and images of eggs and fresh green grass are
cheering reminders of the springing up of new life.

At this time of year, many of us are thinking about our gardens and about starting
seeds to plant once the last danger of frost has passed. So we offer
this imaginative idea for handy seed-starters that makes a pretty
equinox decoration. You don’t need to buy trays or pots to start your
seeds when you can use eggshells instead!

We include easy optional directions for sprouting some wheat or rye
grass for a container or window box. When you nestle your eggshells—
with their sprouting seeds—in a bed of tender grass, you will have
created a charming image of spring that the whole family will enjoy.
It’s easy to plant the seedlings later, too. Find out the simple how-to, right here.

To Sprout Rye or Wheat Grass
1. Rye or wheat grass seeds are inexpensive and quick to germinate, and they create a lovely soft bed for Spring decorations. Start them now, to be sure they’re tall enough for your equinox or Easter decorations. Simply line a basket with a plastic bag, fill basket with soil, and scatter seeds on top. Water well and place in a dark warm place until they germinate. As soon as you see sprouts beginning to emerge, put basket in sunlight and continue to keep moist.

2. When the grass in your basket, conatiner, or window box is long enough, place eggshells decoratively here and there in the grass until they are ready to plant in the garden.

To Make Eggshell Seed-Starting Pots
1. Crack the tips off several eggshells, reserving the eggs for cooking. Fill shells with a light soil mixture and one or two seeds (nasturtiums were used in the book), and prick drainage holes in the bottom of each shell with a pin. Keep moist and warm.

2. When seedlings have reached a suitable size, plant them directly in the ground, crushing the shell so the roots can emerge.

Read more: Nature, Lawns & Gardens

Adapted from Windowboxes Indoors and Out, by James Cramer and Dean Johnson (Storey Books). Copyright (c) 1999, by Mary Sears. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
Adapted from Windowboxes Indoors and Out, by James Cramer and Dean Johnson (Storey Books, 1999).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

aj E.

9:44AM PDT on Mar 26, 2013

interesting idea.

March 26
send a green star

Danuta W.

2:17AM PDT on Mar 25, 2013

thanks for sharing

March 25
send a green star

Lynn C.

6:45PM PDT on Mar 24, 2013

Great idea. Bookmarked this one.

March 24
send a green star

Shirley E.

8:54AM PDT on Mar 24, 2013

Remember to save the egg boxes too, then you'll have somewhere to stand them while the sprouting takes place.

Penny A.

6:36PM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

Good idea thanks.

March 23
send a green star

Mary T.

11:56PM PDT on Mar 22, 2013

cant wait to try the suggestion

March 22
send a green star

Dale O.

2:37AM PDT on Mar 16, 2013

Eggshells are very useful for many purposes and certainly trying them out for seeds is a wonderful idea.

Susan L, not everyone plans on becoming vegan. The rest of us will continue to eat eggs. There are many sources of non-factory farm eggs out there and people who look after the hens very well without the cruelty that you mention. It hardly takes a lot of effort to find humane sources so the rest of us will continue to enjoy eggs and find fascinating uses for the eggshells. Maybe you had trouble composting eggshells but many others honestly find no problem and grind them up rather finely. Others...use them to plant seeds.