Instead of tossing the eggshells after making your next omelet, why not try creating your own mini garden? Not only is this DIY project easy and fun, but it's eco-friendly too! This educational and crafty activity will help anyone with a green thumb gain gardening skills in a zero-waste way.
Step 1: Preparation
Here's what you'll need: An egg carton, eggshells, potting soil, seeds of your choice, a spoon, a small spray bottle, and a marker. After using your eggs, keep and wash the shells to rid of any leftover bits. If you cracked the shells with a heavy hand, don't worry! All you need is about half of each shell.
Step 2: Soil
Use the spoon to add soil to the inside of each eggshell carefully. Try your best to fill each shell with just a little bit of room to spare. With the spray bottle, mist the soil to slightly dampen it. To keep your plants healthy, be sure not to overwater, as there's no drainage for excess water in the shell.
Step 3: Seeds
Add 2-3 seeds per shell. We recommend hearty herbs such as basil, mint, or cilantro for first-time gardeners. Once the seeds are added, gently cover them with soil as needed. Make sure to double-check the depth requirements on your seed packages! Mist the shells again if needed so that the topsoil is slightly moist.
Step 4: Care
Place your eggshells in their carton and transfer them to a sunny, south-facing window. An optional addition: Label each seedling on the cardboard or directly onto the eggshells to keep track of what's growing. Water as necessary so that the soil stays slightly wet but not drenched. We recommend watering every other day.
Step 5: Growth and Transplantation
As your new plant babies sprout, they'll begin to crowd each other. Use scissors to trim seedlings to the soil line. Check on them often, and when you see several sets of leaves, they're ready for transplanting! Create a hole in the shell's base by tapping it on a hard surface, then place each into the ground of their new home.
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