Eggshell seed planters are perfect for kids! Plant a sampling of seeds inside of eggshells and when the weather warms up plant the entire thing into your garden! A fun lesson on composting and reusing everyday products for a new purpose.
You might also like our easy popsicle stick garden markers, our dinosaur garden, or our dollar store fairy gardens!
Watch our step by step video!
We’re always anxious to start planting once March rolls around, but it’s still a little too cold to have our seeds outside. Eggshell seed planters are a great option! Start the seeds inside, then transplant the entire shell into your garden in a few weeks!
Not only are eggshells practical, they are good for your garden too! With 6 happy hens wandering around our yard, we have lots of fresh eggs and lots of fresh egg shells.
We’ve grown vegetable and flower seeds in eggshells with great results!
How to Make Eggshell Seed Planters
Eggshell Seed Planter Supplies
- eggshells
- seeds
- egg carton or egg holder
- soil
- water
Step 1: Collect Egg Shells
Every time I used an egg I rinse out the shells and set it aside. It doesn’t take long to save up enough to start a dozen seedlings—the perfect amount for a sample starter pack for a kids garden. Grow a dozen different little plants of a few of each, it’s up to you!
Step 2: Find something to hold egg shells
You can use an egg carton to hold your seed planters and toss it in the recycle bin when you are ready to plant your shells, but I chose to use one of my ceramic egg holders.
Step 3: fill each shell with soil
Fill each shell with potting soil.
Step 4: add a few seeds to each egg shell
Add your seeds and cover lightly with soil. Kaylee chose to plant chives this time. We like planting a few more seeds than we think we will actually need. This way we have a better chance of having some sprout. You can always thin the seedlings out later.
Step 5: Water
Spritz with water and place them in a sunny location. You can cover them with a piece of plastic wrap until they start to sprout to hold in moisture too. We found it easier to spray them with water when they needed moisture vs. trying to pour water into each shell.
Step 6: Watch the seeds grow!
Place planters in a sunny location and watch them grow! What a fun way to re-use eggshells. Not only are the little shells practical, but they are good for our plants too.
What is the best potting mixture to use for eggshell seed planters?
I used the same soil that we use in our raised beds, but the ideal mixture would be a seed starter mix that does not contain soil. You can buy this at your local gardening store.
Can I use an egg carton instead of eggshells for starting seeds?
Yep! Egg cartons are biodegradable. You can do the same exact thing as you do with the eggshell. Cut out a section of the egg carton after the seeds have sprouted and plant the entire section in your garden. Source.
Are there other ways to use eggshells in a garden?
Eggshells are a great way to add minerals into your garden. You can till them into your garden, add them to the bottom of a hole before adding a plant or sprinkle them liberally across the top. They take a while to break down so you can add them in the fall and again in the spring for year-round results.
Eggshell Seed Planters
Equipment
- spoon or small gardening shovel
Materials
- 12 eggshells (6 eggs)
- seeds
- soil (seed starter mix)
- water
Instructions
- Rinse egg shells and let dry.
- Fill each shell with potting soil/seed starter mix.
- Add your seeds and cover lightly with soil.
- Spritz with water and place them in a sunny location. You can cover them with a piece of plastic wrap until they start to sprout to hold in moisture too.
- Place in a sunny location and watch the seeds grow (7-10 days)
- When ready to transplant, plant egg shell in ground. You can break it up a bit if you'd like or stick it right into the ground.
Video
Notes
WHAT IS THE BEST POTTING MIXTURE TO USE FOR EGGSHELL SEED STARTERS?
I used potting soil, but the ideal mixture would be a seed starter mix that does not contain soil. You can buy this at your local gardening store.CAN I USE AN EGG CARTON INSTEAD OF EGGSHELLS FOR STARTING SEEDS?
Yep! Egg cartons are biodegradable. You can do the same exact thing as you do with the eggshell. Cut out a section of the egg carton after the seeds have sprouted and plant the entire section in your garden.ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO USE EGGSHELLS IN A GARDEN?
Eggshells are a great way to add minerals into your garden. You can till them into your garden, add them to the bottom of a hole before adding a plant or sprinkle them liberally across the top. They take a while to break down so you can add them in the fall and again in the spring for year-round results.
I love this idea! I think I will go to the store this week for some seeds. I have several spots in my yard that could use a pop or two of color! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!
What a fabulous idea! I’ll have to try this with my granddaughters! Thank you for posting it on Marilyn’s Treats!
Right now I use crushed eggshells in my garden to ward off slugs. It actually works! I like this idea of using them as seed starters too. I think my kids would love this project. Thank you for sharing it at #OMHGWW!
such a great activity to do with kids of all ages.
These are so cute. What a fun idea! I think my daughter would love to try this – even last year when she was two she was really interested in helping in the garden. I found your post on Yesterday on Tuesday.
I love starting my plants in eggshells! I feel like they germinate and take off so much faster and they are stronger. Thanks for the tips!
Great idea!! Thank you!!
This is beautiful! Thank you for linking up at “A Little Bird Told Me” Wednesday link party! You have been featured on Mama’s Happy Hive blog. 🙂
I love those little “recylcled/upcycled” egg shells! So I picked them as my feature for the week: https://be-alice.blogspot.com/2017/03/friday-favorites-week-363.html
Thanks for spreading spring vibes 🙂
*Maisy
We did the same two years ago with my daughters, and I think we should do it again Spring is here and we have wonderful weather.
What a neat idea!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Hi Brandy! I wanted to let you know I’ll be including your Egg Shell Seed Starters in a round up at tonight’s Funtastic Friday Link Party!
Love it. My grangirl would love doing this! Thanks!
Chippy White Cottage Blessings,
Rebecca
What a great idea! Just perfect for little ones to do. Saw your link at Inspire Me Monday #121. Shared on social media.
Love this idea to start seeds off! Definitely going to try it – thanks Andi
This is too cute and I love the ceramic egg holders. Sharing on Twitter! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Have a great week!
Kim
I love that these are easy enough to get kids involved! Plus anything that makes my garden easier is always welcome! Thanks for the great idea!
What a great idea to start off the spring season. I really like that we can reuse the eggs. I’m going to try with a cardboard carton, so I can use the entire thing.
What a great idea. It’s so simple. Thanks for sharing.
From Raising Memories Sharing Time.
This is a wonderful idea. One of those ideas that are so simple and perfect your left thinking why didn’t I think of that? I will be using this for sure. Pinning to show hubs when he gets home.
Perfect kids activity for spring!
We did this in Girl Scouts!! Thank you for the reminder, and tutorial, I really want to do this with my daughter!! #client
Good idea
I love this idea of starting seeds in shells…i will truly use it…and look for more good idea in the future
Love all your ideas!
Thank you so much Jackie!
I did these in school when I was younger! Cute little idea for springtime 🙂
Thank you! It would be a fun little project to do in school!