How To Turn Eggshells Into Tiny Seed Sprouters

For a fun way to recycle your kitchen waste and show the kids how things grow.

Gardening with your kids is a great way to teach them the importance of caring for the environment. They can enjoy getting their hands dirty while learning how different things grow, and it can be a very low-cost activity to keep them entertained at home. There are many ways to make it more exciting for your little ones, from planting food scraps from last night’s dinner, to helping them turn their old gumboots into mini gardens, but one of the simplest ways to teach them about growth from start to finish, is sprouting seeds. We asked Courtney from @napkinapocalypse to show us her method of planting seeds using recycled eggshells – watch the IGTV video below for step-by-step instructions you can follow with your kids.

All images provided by @napkinapocalypse

Step 1
Poke a tiny drainage hole at the base using a pin.

Step 2
Fill with potting mix of your choice.

Step 3
Create a small well in the centre using your finger and pop your seed of choice inside. Your seed packet should indicate how deep to plant your seed.

Step 4
Cover the seed with more soil and give it a good drink of water. Keep in a sunny spot and wait for your seedling to sprout.

Step 5
Once your seedling is big enough to move outside, dig a little hole for it in your garden, crush the eggshell gently to allow the roots to grow, and cover with soil. The eggshell will continue to break down over time.

Courtney’s Tip: “While sprouting I keep my eggshells in my greenhouse. But you can essentially keep them anywhere while sprouting – indoors or outdoors. The hotter the location may call for more watering. I have to water my eggs once daily. Make sure they stay damp but aren't constantly soaked, which could cause mould growth.”

The benefits of using eggshells as seed planters, other than being the perfect size, are that they’re an excellent way to reduce waste, they’re a great source of minerals and they’ll help fertilise your garden, and they also act as a natural pest control for slugs and snails – so no need for nasty chemicals.

If more sustainable practices are important to you and your family, be sure to check out THE ICONIC Considered, where you can shop by the values that mean most to you, like Sustainable Materials and Eco-Production.

Keep them busy