DIY Eggshell Planter

Why grow your own veggies

If you haven’t ever grown your own vegetables before, this is your year. Growing your own food is an incredible experience: it’s the ultimate way to eat organic and local, you’ll taste how certain veggies were meant to taste (it doesn’t get fresher than your own backyard!), it’s economical, a stress-reliever, a great way to connect to the Earth and the food we eat...you get the picture.

Benefits of an eggshell planter

One of our favorite parts of the gardening season is the first step: creating our own eggshell planters for our seedlings to nest and grow in during their formative weeks. Eggshells are an organic material, and once you’re ready to bring your young plants outside, you can put the entire shell right into the ground where the shell will nourish the ground and your plants—the shells feed right back into the cycle of life. Some plants in particular like tomatoes and eggplants need a lot of calcium to protect from diseases like blossom end rot. The crushed egg shells also provide a deterrent to worms, slugs and snails. Eggshell planters are the first step to a well-fertilized garden plus they’re free!

DIY eggshell planter instructions

For a fruitful garden this summer, it’s time to start your veggie and/or flower seedlings indoors. Here are the step-by-step directions for creating your own eggshell planter.

1. Cut the lid off your egg carton. Without the lid you’ll have an egg holder that will slide nicely onto a window sill or similar narrow spot with sunlight.

2. Over a large mixing bowl hold the egg with one hand and take a Chef’s knife with the other and carefully tap around the circumference of the egg just above the midline. You’re trying to keep the majority of the eggshell intact to give your seedling a chance to sprout some roots. When you get all the way around, you should be able to lift the “cap” right off. Discard or compost the egg cap.

3. Dump the egg into your bowl and rinse the shell in hot water.

MightyTip: You can save the eggs for something wonderful like quiche, omelettes, casseroles, or baked French toast. A favorite of ours is the Spinach and Cheese Strata courtesy of food blog Smitten Kitchen. To say it's a crowd-pleaser would be an understatement!

Note: This next step is optional. It requires a steady hand and extra care. If you want to skip it, you’ll just want to pay close attention to make sure you’re not over-watering your seeds. 

4. Lay a kitchen towel on your counter. Hold the base of the egg so the opening is at the top. Insert a nail from the top and lightly tap a hole into the bottom to create a drainage hole.

5. Place cleaned shell right back into your egg carton. Repeat for all 12 eggs (or however many seedling pods you’re starting).

6. Using a small spoon fill each egg with organic soil, all the way up to the rim.

7. Follow instructions from your seed packet to plant your seeds. Write the name of the plant on the outside of your eggshell.

8. Once all your seeds are planted, lightly mist the soil. Follow seed packet instructions on how much to water and amount of sunlight exposure.

9. Watch your seeds sprout!

What are you planting in your garden this season? Let us know in the comments below and share any gardening tips you have for a fruitful, delicious garden!