How to Use a Cardboard Egg Container to Make a Seed ...

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After preparing the tray, make holes with a stick or your finger. Put the seeds inside and cover with earth.

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DIY Seed Starting Trays

A seed starting tray is a compact vessel designed to hold garden soil or other germination mediums for seeds, allowing for optimal nurturing prior to their transition to the ground or larger pots.

These trays come in manageable sizes, making it simpler to regulate their conditions for plant growth—such as moisture, temperature, and lighting. In regions where winters are harsh and young plants cannot endure the cold, initiating seedlings indoors can provide a head-start, enabling a fruitful transfer once the climate permits.

Among various options for creating seed starting trays, my preferred choice remains the cardboard egg carton.

Step 1: Prepare the Cardboard Egg Container

1. Cut the lid and place it in the bottom: First, trim the cover lid and set it at the bottom to provide support. Take into account that watering may soften the cardboard.
2. Make a hole for drainage: Some gardeners suggest creating small drainage holes at the bottom of each egg compartment, but I've avoided doing so. I have found that careful watering reduces the risk of sogginess.
3. Fill each compartment with soil: To ensure that the soil is free from debris, I use a sieve, creating a consistent and dense mix. Avoid compressing the soil using any tools or fingers.
4. Water the tray: Apply water gradually to moisten the soil. The initial watering may cause splashing, but as the soil becomes saturated, it will absorb the water more effectively.

Cover the starting tray with a plastic bag.

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Caution: Unwanted Guests!

These seed starting trays can become inviting homes for pests that might jeopardize your seedlings if left unchecked. I have encountered surprises like cockroaches and even a startled blue-eyed gecko while tending to my garden!

This will keep the dirt moist and at the right temperature.

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Step 2: Plant Seeds, Water, and Cover

1. Using your finger or a stick, create shallow holes for the seeds.
2. Drop the seeds into the holes and gently cover them with soil. Avoid pressing down hard.
3. Water the soil lightly to ensure it's damp.
4. Cover the cardboard tray with a clear plastic bag to maintain warmth and humidity. A transparent covering allows you to monitor growth while providing light. However, this may not be necessary in all climates; assess your environment accordingly.
5. Set the seed starting tray in a warm, airy place. A common spot is atop the refrigerator, but ensure that you can easily remember to water it.
6. Daily, remove the plastic covering briefly to allow fresh air circulation.
7. Water daily with care. Pour gently or adjust the faucet to deliver a minimal flow, preventing any disturbance to the seeds or soil.

When seedlings appear, you can get rid of the plastic bag.

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Step 3: Watch for Seedlings

Germination rates may differ by plant type, but I generally see sprouts within two to seven days.

If you notice excessive condensation inside the plastic covering (indicating excess moisture), it may be time to adjust your watering practices or forgo the plastic altogether.

Once your seedlings are up, discontinue the plastic cover, but continue daily watering until they are robust enough to move to larger pots or into the garden.

Ensure your seedlings develop at least two sets of leaves prior to transplanting.

Make a hole deep and wide enough.

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Step 4: Transplant From Tray to Garden or Pot

The advantage of these trays is the ease of transplanting. Prepare a space in the ground that's slightly wider and deeper to accommodate the roots. When securing the plant, ensure it fits comfortably and is positioned deeper than it was in the tray.

Use scissors to separate the compartments of the egg carton.

It isn't necessary to transplant all seedlings simultaneously; you can use the same tray for different plant types, depending on their germination timelines.

While you can transplant the entire carton base, I found it beneficial to remove the bottom layer to encourage root growth effectively, especially when wet.

My Results

Plants grown without the cardboard base thrived more quickly. The comparison in size is evident in the accompanying images. After realizing this, I decided to uproot the smaller plant and transfer it elsewhere. Nevertheless, all the plants remained healthy—albeit with varying growth rates.

The initial thought led me to believe that a seed starting tray may not be necessary in my warm climate. However, during subsequent gardening efforts, I directly sowed seeds into pots. While the seeds did germinate, the process took longer compared to those started in trays.

The reason for this is straightforward: when watering pots, moisture drains away, meaning unless you use a significant amount of water, your top seeds may struggle to stay moist.

Moreover, managing watering for multiple seedlings in trays is significantly simpler than it is for various pots.

These factors highlight the advantages of using trays.

The plants without the cardboard tray grew faster. The two larger plants at the back had no cardboard, the one at the front did.

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Happy Planting!

Although many commercial brands sell starting trays, utilizing cardboard egg cartons is a practical, economical choice that promotes recycling.

Every method I have shared can be adjusted, so don't hesitate to try variations and document your experiences.

Suggested Reading:

• Get Your Green Thumb On: A Beginner's Guide to Seed Starting 101
  Welcome to Seed Starting 101. This article is for beginner gardeners who want to learn the correct way to start their plants from seeds.
• Gardening for Beginners: 10 Easy Steps to Sowing Seeds
  This step-by-step guide shows you how, where, and when to sow seeds and grow them into mature plants. It can be more rewarding and cost-effective to cultivate them from seed rather than purchasing established plants.

This content is accurate and adheres to the best knowledge of the author and is not intended to replace customized guidance from a qualified expert.

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