Starting seeds IN Eggshells

JamesL · March 6, 2012

This has probably been talked about here before. A quick yahoo search turns up a bunch of links as well.
Seems like a very low cost way to start seeds (as long as you aren't doing volume) and get some calcium into the soil.
Granted the shells will take awhile to decompose.....

Has anyone done here actually done this? And how did it work out?

http://risashome.blogspot.com/2011/1...rting-kit.html

bcday · March 6, 2012

I would put the eggshells in the compost pile and start the seeds in something else, unless you are planning to move the seedlings into larger quarters when they are very young. Eggshells aren't really big enough to grow tomato seedlings to transplant size. It's often easier to water from the bottom anyway -- very difficult with the setup in your pic. And a tomato seedling grows a surprisingly large root system in a very short time. Soon the seedlings would be rootbound enough in the eggshells to need watering more often than you might be able to keep up with -- I've had to water seedlings in very small containers twice a day and they still got very dry between waterings. But if you have extra seeds and time to play, give it a try and see how it goes.

JamesL · March 6, 2012

Agreed. I wasn't planning on doing it. Not for tomatoes anyway.
I was more curious if someone had tried it and to what effect, for any kind of seed.
Might be effective for herbs or possibly flowers though.

lakelady · March 10, 2012

I have not used eggshells, but I HAVE started seeds in the foam eggcartons, and they really do make great little seed starters as long as you poke holes in the bottom! I just sliced the lid apart from the bottom, and used it as a watering tray. You have to plant up relatively soon, but it works great for flowers!

b54red · March 10, 2012

I agree use the egg cartons for starting seed then pot them up when they get a little larger. I have been doing this for years and it is a very easy and cheap way to start seed. I put a piece of duck tape on the little flap the full length and fold it over so it sticks to both sides and label what is in each egg cup. The foam cartons are also reusable by just adding a new piece of tape.

kurt · March 10, 2012

My wifes grandmother puts eggshells in water and uses it for her roses and herbs.The smell is awful but it works wonders.

zeroma · September 14, 2012

I put my egg shells into my blender and grind them up with my daily coffee grounds and water to add to my compost. Or if just the egg shells and water, directly to water my plants. We don't use a lot of eggs, so there isn't much chance to be adding too much Calciuim.

I have only a small area in my yard for gardening.

March 10, 2012	#4
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	I have not used eggshells, but I HAVE started seeds in the foam eggcartons, and they really do make great little seed starters as long as you poke holes in the bottom! I just sliced the lid apart from the bottom, and used it as a watering tray. You have to plant up relatively soon, but it works great for flowers! __________________ Antoniette

March 6, 2012	#2
bcday Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY z5 Posts: 1,205	I would put the eggshells in the compost pile and start the seeds in something else, unless you are planning to move the seedlings into larger quarters when they are very young. Eggshells aren't really big enough to grow tomato seedlings to transplant size. It's often easier to water from the bottom anyway -- very difficult with the setup in your pic. And a tomato seedling grows a surprisingly large root system in a very short time. Soon the seedlings would be rootbound enough in the eggshells to need watering more often than you might be able to keep up with -- I've had to water seedlings in very small containers twice a day and they still got very dry between waterings. But if you have extra seeds and time to play, give it a try and see how it goes.

March 6, 2012	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Agreed. I wasn't planning on doing it. Not for tomatoes anyway. I was more curious if someone had tried it and to what effect, for any kind of seed. Might be effective for herbs or possibly flowers though.

March 10, 2012	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I agree use the egg cartons for starting seed then pot them up when they get a little larger. I have been doing this for years and it is a very easy and cheap way to start seed. I put a piece of duck tape on the little flap the full length and fold it over so it sticks to both sides and label what is in each egg cup. The foam cartons are also reusable by just adding a new piece of tape.

March 10, 2012	#6
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,501	My wifes grandmother puts eggshells in water and uses it for her roses and herbs.The smell is awful but it works wonders.

September 14, 2012	#7
zeroma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 637	I put my egg shells into my blender and grind them up with my daily coffee grounds and water to add to my compost. Or if just the egg shells and water, directly to water my plants. We don't use a lot of eggs, so there isn't much chance to be adding too much Calciuim. I have only a small area in my yard for gardening.