Sunday, February 16, 2025 - Starting Seeds Indoors With Egg Carton Greenhouses

 

By germinating seeds and establishing your sprouts in the winter, you will have seedlings to get in the ground as soon as the chance of frost has passed. Egg cartons make eco-friendly, cheap seed starters to start your seeds indoors. Cardboard egg cartons are biodegradable, allowing you to plant the seedling, pot and all, into the garden. You cannot plant styrofoam cartons because they are not biodegradable, however they have the ability to hold more water without disintegrating like the cardboard ones. Your call as to which ones you prefer…


Step One: Prep the Carton

Like any planter, the egg carton greenhouse needs drainage. Drainage is important to prevent water from collecting and rotting the seed or roots. So poke a few small drainage holes in the bottom of each cup. You can cut the lids off of the cartons and place them underneath the seed cups to catch any surplus water. It is also a good idea to label the egg cartons as to what seeds it contains. 

 




Step Two: Plant Your Seeds

Choose a good garden soil to give your seedlings the best possible start. Fill the cups about half full with your soil. Drop two or three seeds in each individual egg cup, since not all of them will germinate. Then cover them with soil. Check the seed packet to make sure you don’t plant them too deep. The packet will tell you how thick the soil layer on top should be.

 


Step Three: Water

Water the egg cups often. Keep the soil moist but not dripping wet. Check on them daily and water frequently.

 

Step Four: Make Your Greenhouse

Once your seeds are sown and watered, cover your entire egg carton with a piece of plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic is not too low and does not touch the soil. Clothes pins make a great support structure for the plastic and will help hold the plastic in place. You can easily un-clip and lift the plastic to water when required. Remove the plastic wrap cover when your seedlings are about two inches tall.

 


Step Five: Keep Your Seeds Warm

The most important part of germinating seeds is to keep them warm. Soil needs to maintain a minimum temperature of 21°C (70°F). You could place a warming mat under your seeds, or put them in a warm area of your home like on top of the refrigerator. Once they reach about a half-inch tall, move them to a sunny spot.

 

Step Six: Transplant Your Seedlings

The seedlings have outgrown the egg carton greenhouse once the roots reach the bottom of the tray. Do not allow the roots to grow into a circle because this will make your plants unstable and stifle their growth. If there is still a chance of frost, you must replant your seedlings into larger pots. If not, it is time to transplant into the garden. Simply tear away the section of egg carton holding the sprout and stick it right into the soil. Since the cardboard cartons are biodegradable, they will break down quickly once planted. It is a good idea to cut some slits in the cardboard cup to make it easier for the roots to expand as the plant grows. If using styrofoam, gently remove the seedling bundle,

taking care not to damage the seedling or any of the roots.



 


 




Egg carton gardening is an easy way to start vegetables, flowers, and herbs like oregano, thyme, or parsley.


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