Learning how to germinate seeds in eggshells is an ideal way to use kitchen waste. Not only that, it’s a great project to do with kids so you can teach them all about how plants grow.
While the method really isn’t difficult, let’s go over everything you need to know about how to germinate seeds in eggshells.
Why Use Eggshells?
The first reason is that eggshells are kitchen waste, so it’s a good way to use something you’d otherwise be throwing away. Also, much like cardboard tubes, eggshells are perfect for planting straight into the ground.
But the advantage of using eggshells is that they add calcium to the soil as they break down, which is an important nutrient for plants.
The only thing to bear in mind is that eggshells can take a while to rot. Luckily, we suggest a workaround for this in the method below.
Along with adding nutrients to the soil, another advantage of using eggshells is that you get quite a compact seedling tray. An egg box with 6 seedlings doesn’t take up much room at all.
How to Germinate Seeds in Eggshells
For this, you’ll need:
- Eggshells
- An egg box/tray
- Potting mix
- Seedlings
Method
1. Gather your cracked eggshells. Ideally, they should be about half the shell or more.
2. Arrange in the egg carton and fill with potting soil.
3. Poke a small hole in the soil and sprinkle in your seedlings.
4. Once they’ve germinated and grown a little, thin them out so you have one seedling per egg.
5. After a week or two, you’re ready to plant out. Crush the eggshell slightly in your hand and remove a few pieces from the bottom. This’ll allow the roots to spread and the eggshell to break down faster.
6. Plant directly into the plant’s forever pot and wait for it to grow.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, how to germinate seeds in eggshells. It’s a quick and easy method that not only makes use of kitchen waste, it also adds important nutrients to the soil. Happy planting!