If you’re getting ready start a kitchen garden first timers, you’ll probably be surprised by the number of products they’ll tell you you need. Planters, fertilizer, tags, more fertilizer and all kinds of tools.
The truth is, though, you really don’t need that many! I start my vegetable garden every year with just a few basic items: seeds, egg cartons (instead of planters), and seed starting soil mix. I love a good one economic gardening hack – and this might be one of the easiest. Here’s how to do it!
What seeds can you grow in egg cartons?
You can use egg cartons for almost any seed that you would normally start from seed in a plastic box or tray. I find them great for:
- Herbs (basil, cilantro, dill)
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
I’ve also used them for lettuce, beans, peas, cucumbers, courgettes and watermelons, although I generally find it easier to sow these seeds directly into containers or garden beds. Some plants (like cucumbers and squash) I don’t always like being transplantedand I have more success if I sow them immediately to their final destination.
Need additional guidance? Check out our list of best plants to grow from seed and you will have lots of ideas about what to plant.
How to grow seeds in egg cartons cheaply
This is not only an inexpensive way to start your seeds, it’s also very easy! I find it even easier than using those plastic seed trays because you can throw each cardboard portion into the ground with the seedling without disturbing the roots – they are biodegradable. This means this gardening hack it’s not just convenient, it’s also environmentally friendly!
Choosing your terrain
Pay attention – this is the most important part! When starting seeds from scratch, be sure to use seed starting mix. At first I thought this was another corner I could cut and tried using regular potting mix but my seedlings really struggled.
Seed starting mix is more sterile than regular potting mix, which protects your babies from common fungal infections. If you’ve ever dealt with dieback (a fungal disease where your seedlings collapse and die), you’ll know how frustrating it is. I promise you will have better success with the seed starting mix!
If you don’t have any seed starting mix and are determined to continue without it, you can try using regular potting mix. Just pick out the largest pieces of bark/any pieces that will get in the way of your seeds. If you’re only planting larger seeds (corn, peas, squash, etc.), you’ll probably be fine with potting mix. Smaller seeds (herbs, tomatoes, peppers) will be much happier in a seed starting mix.
Designing Your Setup
Each egg carton has 12 cases. In each compartment, I make two small holes and put two seeds in each hole. So, theoretically, you can fit 48 seedlings in one egg carton. However, if they all grow, you’ll need to thin them out (basically kill some) so they don’t compete with each other.
Why put 4 seeds in each compartment if you’re just going to have to thin them out? Since there is a good chance that not all of your seeds will germinate, it just gives you a better chance of ending up with 1-2 seedlings per compartment, which is the goal.
Make sure you have a good location to place your recycled seed trays – somewhere that stays relatively warm and gets adequate sunlight. Check out our guide to initial seeds indoors for some useful sett tips
Planting the seeds
Now for the fun part! Here’s how to plant your seeds:
- If the lid is attached to the egg carton, tear or cut it and place it underneath as a tray
- Use a Sharpie to mark the outside of the carton in a way that makes sense to you
- Seriously, label it. You won’t remember what you planted even if you think you will
- Sprinkle the seed-raising mixture into each separate compartment
- Wet the soil with a spray bottle or very gently with a hose
- Drill two small holes in the soil in each compartment, about halfway down
- Add two seeds to each hole (so you have four seeds total per egg compartment)
- Cover the holes gently
- Spray or re-water each compartment
That’s all! You can’t really miss it, just make sure you don’t blow up the egg carton with the rubber band or you’ll lose all the soil (and seeds).
Waiting for germination
Be patient – most seeds will take at least two weeks to germinate. During this period, you will need to:
- Keep the soil always moist (without saturating the cardboard)
- Store the egg carton in a warm, sunny place (preferably next to a window indoors)
- Place the egg carton outside if it’s 70 degrees or warmer (bring it inside at night)
It doesn’t need to be soaked overnight, but moist enough that the soil doesn’t dry out. I usually spray them in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon if they are out in the sun. If you end up with 3-4 seedlings per compartment, pinch out the smallest/weakest seedlings so you only have 2 per compartment – it may seem harsh, but they will get stronger and healthier this way!
When (and how) to transplant seedlings from egg cartons
There is nothing more exciting than watching your seedlings poke their little heads out of the soil! They will generally start with two general looking leaves, these are the cotyledons or seed leaves. After a few more weeks of sunshine and water, they will begin to grow their first set real leavesthat look more like the plant you expect.
During this time, keep your seeds moist and sunny. You can move them outside during the day – they can handle the sun, but if you have cold temperatures at night, keep bringing them inside while they are still babies.
Knowing when your seedlings are ready to transplant
Once your seedlings have their true leaves, you can begin to harden them off. Basically, this means letting them out overnight and preparing them for the harsh realities of the real world. After about a week of hardening, you can transplant your seedlings.
Transfer to pots or garden beds
Transplanting your seedlings can be a little tricky, but I think it’s easier to do it from egg cartons than from seed, especially if you only have one seedling per compartment. In any case, make sure the soil is moist. If you are transplanting into a container, make sure you have your soil ready to use, labeled and everything is moist.
If you have several seedlings per compartment, you should gently separate them and remove them from the compartment. Don’t worry if you lose a few roots, they usually bounce back. Dig a small hole for them in their new home, put them in the dirt, and then tamp the dirt around them firmly. When you’re done, give them a gentle watering.
If you only have one seedling per compartment, cut or tear the egg carton into 12 separate compartments and plant each in the desired spot – it will break quickly and minimize root shock for your transplants. Cover with soil and water – it’s that easy!
Save money by growing your seeds in egg cartons!
The moral of the story? Keep your old egg cartons and start your seedlings in them! You won’t need to buy plastic coupons, it’s easier to label, and you can throw each flat in the ground when you’re ready to plant. Good luck!
And guess what? There are so many other clever gardening tricks that reduce waste and happen to be super convenient too! Check out our guide to garden fertilizers you can make with kitchen scraps and you’ll see your food waste in a whole new light. And if you’ve just decided to get started, be sure to check out our tips how to start a kitchen garden!
