Egg Shell Planting-Perfect for Starting Plants
Many of us including myself plant all year long. My favorite way to start just about any seed including for Sprouts is in Egg Shells.
Now you may thinking to yourself that is a cool idea and I always have plenty of eggs. But what are the benefits. That list is long and wonderful. For starters. You can transfer your eggshell with seedlings right into where your potting. No Transplanting needed. Now lets understand a little about the egg shells.
What is an eggshell made of?
According to The Human Touch of Chemisty “Eggshells are made out of a protein matrix with a lining of calcium carbonate crystals or other mineral crystals. Calcium carbonate is the stuff you find in chalk. Eggs are formed within the reproductive system of birds, forming a protective layer, taking almost 20 hours to form! When a hen lays an egg, there is a small pocket of air formed inside the egg. Just after the egg is laid it cools causing the content of the egg to contract.
This pocket of air is formed at the larger end of the egg, between a thin inner membrane and outer membrane. If you look closely at the shell you may notice that there are a number of tiny pores. Through these pores carbon dioxide and moisture trapped within the egg escapes over time. As a result, air enters the egg to fill up the space of the carbon dioxide and moisture.” Fascinating ? It makes eggs the perfect plant starter.
Why are Eggs so great and what can I use them for?
- Fertilizing ~ Eggshells fertilize your garden. They are a great source of calcium and other minerals, so they are a great compost for your garden.
- Pest Control ~ Did you know that Snails, slugs and even deer hate eggshells? This is a great way to protect your garden from unwanted creatures.
- Create the best tomato plants with the help of eggshells ~ Tomatoes plants can get blossom end rot which is a lack of calcium and can destroy your tomato plant. Simply put some crushed eggshells in the bottom of the hole that you dig for your tomato plant and then transplant the tomato plant right into the garden.
- Food for indoor plants ~ Eggshells can be food for indoor plants. Simply add your clean crushed eggshells to some filtered water and leave in a cool dark place for several days. You now have some homemade plant food for your indoor plants. Make sure you mark the container. I use mason jars for so many things its easy to get confused 🙂 When my girls were little I added a few drops of Blue food coloring to remind myself it was for plants. (Blue for Miracle Grow) but my own Miracle Grow 🙂
Who knew that egg shells had so many uses! Of course we have one more use to talk about, starting seeds in eggshells. Lets dig into this! ( Pun intended)
How To Start Seeds In Eggshells
Get yourself some seeds and seed starting soil and lets get started. I chose to seed three of my favorite annual flowers…Johnny Jump Ups and Marigolds and Tomatoes. You could also choose to add your favorite cool weather seeds. This is going to be your garden so you decide.
Starting seeds in eggshells is a super easy process.
- Save your eggshells from breakfast. ( I save all my egg shells ) Rinse them out so they won’t become sticky or smelly.
- Add soil to the eggshells. Note: You want to be sure to use seed starting soil. This is a lighter soil that allows the root system to grow freely through the plant, this in turn will create a strong and healthy plant.
- Add the seeds to the soil and slightly push down just until the seeds are fully covered. Make sure you don’t pat them down to deep. If they are in the soil to deep or too packed, it will take longer for you seedlings to germinate.
- Water your seeds. I like to use a spritzer bottle, especially for very small seeds, so that it doesn’t push the seeds to deeply into the soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaked.
- If you really want to give your seeds a jump start, use a plastic egg carton and put the lid on. Or you can cut the bottom of a plastic water bottle- Both of these will act as a mini greenhouse. Once your seeds sprout, remove the lid so that mold does not develop. ( I learned this the hard way)
- Put them in a sunny window and enjoy watching them grow.
It made my heart happy to finally see little sprouts shooting up. The next step is sometimes the hardest…having the patience to wait until the weather is ready to plant outside.
If the weather does not cooperate, and your seedlings are ready to go into the soil, just transplant them into a pot until the weather permits. Directions below:
1. Simply add some potting soil (it doesn’t have to be seed starting soil anymore) to a pot, add your eggshell and plant right into the soil, and cover with some more potting soil. Water and continue to grow your plants in a sunny window until the weather permits you to plant outside.
If your weather is ready for planting, then simply put the eggshell plant right into the soil, eggshell and all!
As you can see, I am going to have to follow the first step, because this is what is going on where I live…The weather is up and down but definitely too cold at night for outdoors. 
What are you going to plant? These tips can also be used for teaching your kids to plant but to be honest my girls are grown and I still do it haha 🙂
You can also find this post on Hometalk.com
Never in a million years would I have ever thought to do this, but it makes perfect sense now that you say it. I love this idea.
Thank you Robin. That means a lot. I respect your opinions. Thanks for reading the post 🙂
That is such a cool idea! My sister is actually starting seeds in eggshells right now.
Jennifer recently posted…Top 20 Video Games of 2014 You Need in Your Library Giveaway
I’d love to know how it works out for her Jennifer. It’s my favorite way to plant.
Wow, this is very interesting. I never knew we could use eggshells like this or in any way for that matter :). Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely going to use and passing along!
Corina Ramos recently posted…Trendy Sportswear to Get You to the Gym
Thank you Corina. I love planting this way and since I have been doing it for so long it is just a way of life that I love 🙂
DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE ANY HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE EGG SHELL FOR DRAINAGE?
I don’t normally unless I am doing sprouts then I want it to stay warm and just moist. You just need to make sure they don’t dry out if you do a hole 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Jill.
Ahh, you make me want to start planting! I’ve tried tried starting them in eggshells, I’ll have to give it a try!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Taco Night Made Easy – and Frugal! {Free Philly Offer}
I hope you do try this way. It’s wonderful.
That is such a cool idea! I love it!
Thank you. It is my go to every year and has never failed me 🙂
We garden organically and egg shells are always in our compost! Love this idea for growing plants indoors too! We started our seedlings a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to see our garden this season.
Jeanette E. recently posted…Shutterfly Coupon Codes and Freebies April 2015
Cute idea – love that you have it in an old candlestick. I think we have that exact same one here!
Scott recently posted…Frogger Without the Cars & Buses
I think we all have them Scott. I love them and use them for everything but candles. Thanks for checking out my post 🙂
I definitely love that idea. Not only are you utilizing the eggshells but you can actually use them to plant–no messy digging out the plant to pit in your pot or outside.
Michele recently posted…Book Review-Cinderella Blue (A Romantic Comedy) (San Antone Two-Step Book 2)-Joan Reeves
Thank you Michele. It definitely is an all one. I just love planting this way it’s low maintenance and just a fun and Earth friendly way of doing it. Thank you for checking us out 🙂
That is SO gorgeous! I love it! Never would have thought of it, either!
Thank you so much. It’s one of those things I do year after year. 🙂
I must admit, I have never heard of eggshell planting. The benefits are numerous and it looks so easy to do.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…Spring Cleaning Hacks: Homemade Dishwasher Tabs
That makes me a little happy Kelly. While I have been doing it forever I love when we can highlight something from our daily lives that sparks creative possibilities. Thank you so much for checking us out 🙂 ~Laura
This is such a great idea! I just got seeds to plant with my daughter and was thinking of an egg carton as a starter- but why not the eggs!!!!
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide recently posted…5 Days of Spring Break with Kids in Daytona Beach, FL *guest post*
I agree Chelley. This is also a great way to get them to eat omelets haha. I love planting this way and they are such a conversation starter in my home too. It’s a win win.
Oh my goodness, who would have thought of that. Such a great idea. I know I have heard of crushing egg shells into fertilizer, this is very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Shauna. I am so glad you like it 🙂
I’ve heard of using egg shells to feed plants but never knew about the others. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you Dee. It is amazing how good eggs are for so many things. Thank you for taking the time to check us out 🙂
So very cool! I’ve never heard of this method of egg shell planting. Gotta definitely trying it, the results are incredible!
Myrah – Coupon Mamacita recently posted…*Just Released* $1.00 off (1) Newmans Own Complete Skillet Meal
Yay! I am so glad your going to try it. I’d love to know how well you like it. It’s my favorite way to start plants.
That’s such a cool idea. It’s the perfect planter size for a gardening newbie like me!
Liz Mays recently posted…It’s All About Fizz and Flavor!
Liz it really is perfect for a newbie. Very little work. Just plant spritz and watch them grow 🙂
I am on my third round of seedlings. I try it every single year and end up buying plants because my seedlings die. Maybe the eggshells would work for me. They certainly look better than what I have.
I did have trouble too before I started doing it this way Jennifer. I find it holds the water better and lets the roots take hold. So many ways dry out to fast. Please let me know if you find this way better.
This is such a cute idea. I bet our kids would love making a egg garden. Thank you for sharing.
kristin recently posted…National Frozen Food Month With New Ball Park Flame Grilled Patties
What an awesome idea! This is soo creative! I love it.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…Easy DIY Nautical Dish Soap Bottles
This is such a wonderful idea! I would have never of thought of this.
Thank you Dawn, I love it and have used it for years 🙂
I like how this organic and natural as compared to regular planting pots! I will have to try this out!
Jenny Temcio recently posted…13 Awesome Things To See And Do In Ireland #sponsored #CharlotteJITI
Thank you Jenny. What is the saying I was “green” before green was cool. Haha 🙂
I would have never thought to do this. But I never save anything in my kitchen.
Katherine recently posted…The Best Subs in the World! #ReviewCrew @Restaurant_com
Oh Katherine. Your missing out on some truly wonderful ways to reuse and to help go green. I hope you rethink your choice 🙂
What a cute eco friendly way to plant. Also,, using up all of those eggs left over from Easter.
Very True Aubrey. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by.
I did know the egg shell trick. My mother-in-law told me about it. She’s a wealth of information on all things planting. 🙂
Rosey it is so nice to have a mother in law who can guide you. I wish I had one 🙂
This is such a cute idea! When I was little, we used to make these little planters out of eggshells too!
Amy D recently posted…How to Enjoy All the Ambiance of a Candle Without the Dangerous Flames
Thank you Amy. It’s funny isn’t it. We never really thought of our parents of being creative when they taught us these things. I am so glad I never outgrew what I learned. Thank you for stopping by.
This is such a great idea. I will have to try this for my herb garden this year. It is my first attempt at gardening.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an eggshell plant. That is so cute and reminds me of those miniature bonsai plants.
We have done this once. The plants grew fantastically.
Our Family World recently posted…What Free Resources Are There for Coping with a Toddler Speech Delay?
This is very helpful, I have always love natural products, I never thought that an egg shell can be a huge help.
Manu Kalia recently posted…Shoulder Hand Behind Back Mobility
I wouldn’t have thought of this idea at all. very cool. i will have to try it.
I never thought about using an egg shell. It’s such a great idea!
I love it Celeste. Very easy too 🙂