Gentle Gardening - Elementary Egg Carton Seed Starting

How to Make an Egg Carton Seed Starter

Supply list:
Clean, empty egg carton
Masking tape
Pen
Scissors
Seed starter mix
Tablespoon
Medicine dropper (clean- 15-30 mL is best) OR spray bottle with mist setting
Seeds

Instructions:

1. Take the clean, empty egg carton and carefully cut it in half along the seam. You will be left with 2 parts:

 

Top tray (planter)

 

Bottom tray

2. In the top tray, carefully poke a small hole in the center of each egg cup for drainage.

3. Use masking tape to cover the tab insert holes on bottom tray.

4. Fit the top tray in the bottom tray, as below:

5. Add 1 tablespoon of seed starting mix to each egg compartment.

 

Two seed starter trays, almost ready to plant!

6. Using a medicine dropper or spray bottle on mist setting, add enough water to moisten but not soak the seed starting mix. To help the seed starting mix absorb the water, you can either stir it with something small (toothpick, straw etc) or let it sit for 15-20 minutes.

7. Plant your seeds, using 2-3 seeds per section. Consult your seed packet for planting depth.

8. On a piece of masking tape, write the type of plant and the date planted. Attach the tape to the egg carton seed starting container. If you live in a colder climate, you can/should create a mini-greenhouse by covering the egg carton seed starting container with plastic wrap.

9. Find a sunny spot to place your new egg carton seed starting container. They are narrow enough to fit well on most windowsills!

 

Ready to grow!

10. Water frequently, using either a medicine dropper or a spray bottle on mist setting. The earliest that plants are ready to transplant is when they are at least 1" tall and are showing the initial two leaves. I usually prefer to wait until there are two sets of true leaves.

Happy planting!