Thrifty Tip: Starting your garden from seeds.

I know this is late, but I wanted to make sure that this trick worked.  Try it next year or when it is time to start your winter garden.

START YOUR SEEDS IN AN EGG SHELL!

I tried this will all my herbs.  I had heard it from a farmer's wife at MoPS, so if she found success with it, it must be good trick.  This first picture is my basil grown in the egg shell.  Look at how big the leaves are!  We have trimmed these guys at least 4-5 times & it's only June! 

All you need to do is save your egg shells after you use them.  Just make sure that you crack them close to the top or the upper middle, so you have enough room to fill it with dirt.  I washed them out with water and let them dry.  Then when I am ready to start my garden I added the mulch, my seeds & cover them with a little bit of dirt.  I put the shells back in the egg carton & watered them.  Then I put them in a clear tote in a sunny place and waited for them to grow.  I did put the lid on to help keep the temperature inside warm, it never seems to get warm enough here in the PNW during the early Spring.

When you are ready to plant them, just crack the bottom of the shell so you expose some dirt.  Be careful not to disrupt the roots.  I did crack the sides so it would be easier for the roots to break through.  I think I did at least 2 dozen like this with a variety of herbs.  The ones in the egg shells seem to be healthier & more robust. 

This picture is the basil I didn't grow in the egg shells.  They are still good, but not nearly as plentiful as the ones I grew in the shells.  I am guessing it has something to do with the calcium.  But don't hold me to it.  Try it & tell me what you think!  This is the first year we started most of our garden from seed.  Next year I think I will do this with all of our seeds. 

And remember these herbs are completely 100% organic.  I used nothing synthetic.  So if they don't look exactly like the ones in the grocery stores that's because they use all sort of stuff to make them looks more appealing.  Enjoy!