Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:36 pm
You can use egg cartons for growing pots. These are not only much cheaper, but also help you to save waste and resources. Here you can find out what you should consider.
You should not throw away egg cartons. Because of their shape, these cardboard containers make wonderful growing pots for your plants. Using egg cartons as growing pots has several advantages:
- You save money because you don’t have to buy extra growing pots at the hardware store.
- Egg cartons are compostable, which means you can repot them along with the cardboard. This will rot over time and serve as fertilizer for your plants.
- Conventional growing pots are usually made of plastic. If you use egg cartons instead, you not only give them a second life, but also avoid plastic waste.
Growing pots from egg cartons: This is how it works
Turning egg cartons into grow pots is very easy. This is how you do it:
- You can use the egg cartons as a whole or cut their bottom into individual pots. First, remove any labels that are not compostable. Then poke small holes in the bottom of the egg cartons with a pair of sharp scissors or a knife.
- Place the cartons on a large plate or water-resistant surface, such as a metal tray.
- Fill both the bottom and top of the egg cartons to just below the rim with peat-free plant soil.
- Using a pencil or stick, drill a hole about two to three inches deep in the center of each soil. Put the plant seeds in it. In the top of the egg cartons, you can scatter seeds in up to four holes.
- As soon as the plants are big enough to be repotted, you can move them and the egg cartons into a larger plant pot or bed.
Grow pots made from egg cartons: Important tips for care
Whether flowers, vegetables or herbs – you can grow any kind of plant seeds in the egg cartons. When caring for the growing pots, you should follow these tips:
- Place the growing pots in a bright, weather-protected location. In the apartment, this is ideally a place close to the window. However, you should avoid direct sunlight as much as possible.
- Depending on the season, you should water the pots regularly: In warm to hot temperatures, it is recommended to water every two days. In colder weather it is sufficient to water about twice a week.
- Caution: Do not over water the egg carton grow pots. Use only enough water to keep the soil in the egg cartons just moist enough. As a rule of thumb, it is better to water more often and with smaller amounts than less often and with too much water. Also check the pots from time to time for mold.