Gardening Tales
Sprouting Seedlings In Egg Shells
April 04, 2018
Calling all Gardeners to ask you this most important question have you ever sprouted seedlings in egg shells? Well, guess what... I gave this economical and pretty cute gardening idea a try and it worked marvelously!
This is such an easy and really "green," way to sprout your seeds and at the same time nourish the soil! I shared an earlier post right here on how the process all began. I surely feel as though I need to do a little follow-up so you could all see the results yourself and then make your own determination if you want to give this gardening method a try.
This is our 30'x30' garden plot and the third season of growing and where I have planted a million flower seeds. ( Well maybe not a million, but it sort of felt like it when I was finished! We have amended this soil with sand, ash, coffee, grounds, mulch, grass clippings and more. Stay tune for next month's gardening post on how to amend garden soil.
So, let's see, getting back on track I want to mention the many benefits of using eggshells in the garden. You know there are many ways to use eggshells in the garden, but for us it all begins in the morning when we have our eggs for breakfast! ( I save those shells) Eggshells are a great way to level off the soil pH and provide a turbo boost of calcium too. Plants easily soak up this necessary nutrient. Eggshells also help to prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes.
Of course gardeners know that there are some basic nutrients which plants need to thrive. The most basic and important are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for healthy growth. Calcium is also essential for building the healthy cell walls of a plant. Eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate and an excellent and thrifty way to amend the soil.
So, after all of this talk about the benefits of eggshells, here it the lowdown on how to transfer the eggshell planter to the garden or a container. It's just as easy as cracking an egg! (LOL)
Once those tender sprouts have grown big enough to actually move, thin them out (I didn't with this cat grass because I wanted little clumps of grass) Gently crack the eggshell around the sprouts and plant them. Eventually the roots will grow beyond the eggshell into the soil and the shell will continue to provide nourishment to the plant and surrounding area. In time the entire shell will biodegrade.
Since Sadie and I spend so much time together she is becoming an excellent conversationalist, confidant and advisor on gardening.
If you plan a season ahead add eggshells in the Fall. Simply grind them up with a blender, mixer or even a mortar and pestle and then till them into the soil. The eggshells will break down over the Winter months and be absorbed in the Spring by the plant's roots.
Looking forward to seeing what you are growing this year!
Please Join Jann from Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson, Linda from Life and Linda and Stacey from Poofing The Pillows and myself for the upcoming Garden Party.
I so enjoyed reading all of the heartfelt comments on my last post, and I thank you for sharing your heart and time with me. We most certainly are in this big old world together!
Sending love and peace always,
Jemma and Sadie
This is such an easy and really "green," way to sprout your seeds and at the same time nourish the soil! I shared an earlier post right here on how the process all began. I surely feel as though I need to do a little follow-up so you could all see the results yourself and then make your own determination if you want to give this gardening method a try.
This is our 30'x30' garden plot and the third season of growing and where I have planted a million flower seeds. ( Well maybe not a million, but it sort of felt like it when I was finished! We have amended this soil with sand, ash, coffee, grounds, mulch, grass clippings and more. Stay tune for next month's gardening post on how to amend garden soil.
So, let's see, getting back on track I want to mention the many benefits of using eggshells in the garden. You know there are many ways to use eggshells in the garden, but for us it all begins in the morning when we have our eggs for breakfast! ( I save those shells) Eggshells are a great way to level off the soil pH and provide a turbo boost of calcium too. Plants easily soak up this necessary nutrient. Eggshells also help to prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes.
Of course gardeners know that there are some basic nutrients which plants need to thrive. The most basic and important are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for healthy growth. Calcium is also essential for building the healthy cell walls of a plant. Eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate and an excellent and thrifty way to amend the soil.
So, after all of this talk about the benefits of eggshells, here it the lowdown on how to transfer the eggshell planter to the garden or a container. It's just as easy as cracking an egg! (LOL)
Once those tender sprouts have grown big enough to actually move, thin them out (I didn't with this cat grass because I wanted little clumps of grass) Gently crack the eggshell around the sprouts and plant them. Eventually the roots will grow beyond the eggshell into the soil and the shell will continue to provide nourishment to the plant and surrounding area. In time the entire shell will biodegrade.
Since Sadie and I spend so much time together she is becoming an excellent conversationalist, confidant and advisor on gardening.
If you plan a season ahead add eggshells in the Fall. Simply grind them up with a blender, mixer or even a mortar and pestle and then till them into the soil. The eggshells will break down over the Winter months and be absorbed in the Spring by the plant's roots.
Looking forward to seeing what you are growing this year!
Please Join Jann from Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson, Linda from Life and Linda and Stacey from Poofing The Pillows and myself for the upcoming Garden Party.
I so enjoyed reading all of the heartfelt comments on my last post, and I thank you for sharing your heart and time with me. We most certainly are in this big old world together!
Sending love and peace always,
Jemma and Sadie
This is a great idea, Jemma. I've often added eggshells (and tea grounds) to soil but the idea of doing the seed starting and transfer is an excellent one. I'll look forward to your garden posts!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful information Jemma. What a great idea to use the egg shells. Great recycling and good for the earth too. Ahhhhh Sadie and that sweet face and those soulful eyes. She is just darling. Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
I like the egg shell idea because it uses less soil than the seed starters and they are free.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your gardening posts.
Aww...Sadie is SO pretty! What a sweet, precious friend you have there! Dogs bring so much comfort! God bless you today, sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! It can get expensive using all the things a garden store may have to start seeds, and all you need is right in your fridge! Glad you had good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! I know Sadie loves being out there with you and I love catching peeks of her romping. Can't wait to see all of those flowers flourishing!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try this! Pup is getting big.
ReplyDeleteI've done this before, and will be collecting my shells to plant my seeds again this year. I usually just toss the shells into my compost bucket and they eventually end up in our compost pile. So I guess it gets to my garden somehow. :) But the seeds started in the eggshells are so cute!!!! Blessings and thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jemma! You certainly have the knowledge, the space, the vision and the passion to create your dream (I seem to recall your dreams of a flower farm!) - again, just like life, the preparation of the soil is one of the most arduous tasks that anyone of us can do, as we toil in order to realize a dream. But as we know, after the ground has been nourished, growth happens. Your work will produce more in YOU than it ever could on this gorgeous plot of land, but both the landscapes (your garden and you), will yield such beauty. How wonderful it is to be alive.
ReplyDeleteI use to do this with my children when they were little. We lived in the Willamette Valley of Oregon (lots of rain), and I started all kinds of garden plants inside in my garden window. The children especially liked the things we planted in egg shells. Such fond and fun memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you have such a good garden helper....and cute, too!
Hugs,
Carol
Jemma,
ReplyDeleteI have saved some eggshells with the intentions of starting some herbs in them. I thought it was such a fun idea! You are on the ball girl!! I have added eggshells to my garden before and often plant my banana peel in my rose garden. Your pooch is too cute!! Looking forward to the party.
hugs,
Jann
I love this idea, Jemma, I'm going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I've heard of this before, but have never seen the process. Such a sweet idea, Jemma. Your garden is going to be wonderful this summer, and with Sadie being a helper, how could you go wrong? This is a darling picture of her. Can't wait to see your garden pictures this year. : )
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Your garden area is incredible! And thanks to you I just spread my coffee grounds on the gardenias, which I have been forgetting to do ;) wishing you a wonderful, sunny week and some gardening fun! xo!
ReplyDelete