Eggplant?
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
May 21, 2008 9:38am CST
No, not real eggplant, but plants started from seeds planted in an egg!
I've heard that eggshells are good for tomatoes, that putting several eggshells in the hole that you planting tomatoes in is a big help to them.
I also heard that you could start tomato seedlings in an eggshell, so that's what I did this year. It's the first time I've done any from seed, and they've done quite well. Just put a little of the soil/seed starting mix in the shell, pop your seed in there and water as usual. When it gets the second leaves, tap the bottom of the eggshell to break it up just a little, then put the whole thing in the ground. The roots will expand out of the bottom of the eggshell, and the shell will continue to provide nutrients to the soil.
Here's a shot of one that is starting in an eggshell, and another larger one that started out that way not too long ago. I think they look pretty good, don't you?
Do you start your own seedlings? If you do, have you ever used an unconventional method like eggshells for containers?
7 responses
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
22 May 08
The egg is a good idea. My cousin's grandmother used to grow plants in eggs. It is one of the 1st things that I remember about gardening from my youth.
I've used just about anything that I though would work. One of my favorites is newspaper. All you have to do is make a little pot. Tuck the over hang into the pot. Add some of your favorite growing medium. All that is left to do is plant the seeds.
When the time comes plant the whole thing in the ground.
Newspaper works for cuttings as well. All you have to do is keep the newspaper moist and add soil when roots start to appear.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
22 May 08
There's an idea!
I'll definitely keep that one in mind for next year. I know the paper is fine to go right into the soil. I put coffee filters in with the coffee, and in some containers that I don't want to put rocks in, I use a coffee filter to keep the dirt from pouring out the holes.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
21 May 08
Hey, it's free! Just another way to recycle, and it's good for the plants, so why not?
Do you know that as your tomato seedlings start to sprout their second leaves, you should plant them deeper so that the dirt is almost up to the leaves? It's supposed to encourage a thicker stalk and will encourage more roots to come out of the part that you just buried, making it a sturdier plant.
That's been working too!
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
21 May 08
I've been saving my eggshells and coffee grounds and working them into the soil here. The tomatoes should be getting a good dose of both!
@terri0824 (5203)
• United States
21 May 08
That's a clever idea. I haven't had a real garden since I was younger and lived at home we had a large garden every year. I miss those days. I have to say though we never used the egg shell technique when we planted tomatoes.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
21 May 08
It really does work. I was running out of small containers to start my seeds in and had read that on a website somewhere so decided to give it a shot.
Works great! I just plant the whole thing and bury it a little deeper to just below the leaves and they are thriving.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 May 08
I have heard that egg shells are good for cabbages and repels slugs, but I have not heard of starting a plant in an egg shell, what great idea..I will comment on the picture itself..
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
21 May 08
I thought it was a cool idea myself.
As for starting other plants the same way, I don't see why not. They'd have to be something small, though, that transplants well.
@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
21 May 08
I think it looks great!
Thanks for the eggshell tip, too. I don't have any experience gardening, but I do plan to start gardening...probably next season.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
21 May 08
Oh yes, gardening can be so much fun! I'm really enjoying myself, seeing how creative I can do things frugally.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
21 May 08
Wow!! I like that! I haven't started from seed for a few years.. too lazy or too much procrastination, or possibly both, but I think I'll try that next year! And yes your plants look very good!!
