Use Egg Cartons as Seedling Starters

Difficulty: easy

Using egg cartons as seedling starters is an effective and environmentally friendly way to give your seeds a healthy start while repurposing household waste. This guide will walk you through the process, from preparation to transplanting your seedlings.

Materials Needed

Egg cartons (paper or plastic)	Buy
Seed starting mix	Buy
Seeds	Buy
Water	Buy

Tools Needed

Sharp knife or scissors	Buy
Watering can or spray bottle	Buy

Steps

Gather Materials and Tools
Collect all necessary materials and tools before beginning the project. This includes egg cartons, seed starting mix, seeds, and other essential items.
Prepare the Egg Cartons
Cut the top lid off the egg cartons, retaining the base with the egg cells. Use a sharp tool to create drainage holes at the bottom of each cell.
Fill the Egg Cells with Seed Starting Mix
Fill each egg cell with seed starting mix, ensuring it is loosely packed to allow for proper root growth.
Plant the Seeds
Place a seed or two in each cell, following the seed packet instructions for the correct planting depth. Lightly cover the seeds with more seed starting mix.
Water the Seeds
Gently water the seeds to moisten the soil without over-saturating. Ensure excess water can drain through the holes at the bottom of the cells.
Provide Adequate Light and Temperature
Place the egg cartons in a sunny location or under grow lights. Maintain a consistent temperature suitable for seed germination.
Transplant the Seedlings
Once the seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves, carefully transplant them to larger pots or directly into the garden. For paper cartons, you can plant the entire cell in the soil.

Use Egg Cartons as Seedling Starters

Materials Needed

Tools Needed

Steps

Recycling Categories

Consumer Goods

Electronics

Organic Waste

Industrial Items