Egg cartons and coffee grounds work great, and you'll be doing the environment (and your wallet) a favor. If many seeds have germinated … Tomato seedlings in a reused egg carton. Tomato seedlings are ready for an upgrade once their first set of true leaves form and they are about 6-10 inches tall. When this happens, you can simply plant your seedlings (egg cup and all) into a larger flower pot or container. How Long Does It Take a Container Tomato Plant to Ripen? After the seedlings produce roots and leaves, transplanting seedlings from egg cartons to larger containers helps the root system develop more deeply so that plants can grow stronger. Great hub with lots of helpful pictures. I also am having some mold?? I use egg cartons all the time, but I buy Jiffy Peat pellets on sale at the end of the previous season... usually it works like a charm. To prop it up, position toothpicks in the middle of the clear egg carton. Transplanting Seedlings From Egg Cartons Transplant the seedlings when they have four true leaves. When mixed with soil for egg-carton seedlings, they also help maintain a high level of moisture. These days, some eggs come in plastic or styrofoam cartons, which are not biodegradable. Cut out each individual egg cup to create individual planting cups. Deciding when to transplant tomato seedlings is easy. When your seedlings are sufficiently grown, you can plant the cups directly in the ground. You have come to the right place. All you need to do is take paper egg cartons (styrofoam won't work for this purpose) and cut off the lids. Keep them in the gallon jugs until May or June when you plan to put them into your garden or into their permanent container. Transplant Seedlings Outdoors. That puts ideal seed starting time around the beginning of March. Bury the seedling deep enough so at least half the stem is covered, as this stem will put out roots and help build a stronger plant. • Old shoes, hats, baskets, etc. I use cardboard egg cartons to start my seeds. Question: Can you use this method for starting cactus seeds? Each egg-shaped cup in the carton is the perfect size for an individual seed-starting pot. If this is the case, hold off putting tomato plants in the ground until May. This is great! … When tomato seedlings are three or four inches tall and have their second pair of leaves, it's time to take them out of their crowded containers and put them into deeper, roomier ones. Fiona from South Africa on December 25, 2013: Thanks for the tip on coffee grounds - I knew you could add them to compost and as worm food but had no idea that they were good for seedlings as well. Paper egg cartons are much safer, healthier, and more useful, both for this task and for other repurposing and recycling projects. Then there will be gifts of sprouted seeds. I found this great demonstration video on how to transplant your seedlings by ThatGardeningGuy. When you’re ready to transplant… Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State University Extension Service: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden, University of California's Alameda County Master Gardeners: Your Alameda County Garden, Month-by-Month, Proper Procedure for Starting Tomato Plants From Seeds. entreri28 from Joplin, MO on April 21, 2013: I used an egg carton and I planted some seeds over a month ago and nothing has sprouted. Instead of buying more plastic seed-starter pots or expensive kits, try using some free materials you'd otherwise throw out. I have a degree in ancient history and a passion for reading, cooking, DIY projects, tea, science fiction, and a myriad of other subjects. Thanks, and so glad for your HOTD. What did I plant? When to Transplant Eggplant Seedlings. Make an egg carton greenhouse by covering the container containing the egg cups with a clear plastic lid or with a loose layer of plastic wrap to keep in heat and moisture. I am using egg cartons this year for tomato seedlings. Tomatoes. Avoid leaving the egg cups connected, as they'll be harder to separate later when they contain plants. Growing tomatoes from seed takes more work than growing pre-established plants, but it's often less expensive -- especially if you're starting seeds in plastic egg cartons or recycled cardboard egg cartons. Put soil in a plastic container, plant a seed, keep it moist, and 8 weeks later you will have a tomato plant that’s ready to transplant. Thanks for the helpful tips. Very frustrating. wabash annie from Colorado Front Range on April 08, 2013: I used egg cartons many years ago and completely forgot about it. Some seedlings' roots may outgrow the egg cups before they're ready to be planted outside. It also keeps you from accidentally crushing or breaking sprouts while trying to separate the cups later. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Tomato seedlings in plug trays. You can use the whole thing or easily cut it apart for smaller containers. If you generally buy tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) and raise them, you know your choices are limited to the selection the garden store carries. You can plant your seeds in the egg carton without cutting it apart, and you can also cut it apart after your seeds have sprouted, but I've found that doing it in the beginning helps to prevent your roots from getting tangled later. Place the carton in a sunny spot and watch the plants grow! • Egg cartons – Egg cartons work well for starting seeds, but you’ll have to transplant them to larger containers as soon as they’ve sprouted. You can use anything that can hold soil, as long as it has drainage. Eventually, you may move up in size to a one-gallon container. Cardboard egg cartons are biodegradable, which means they will break down over time in the environment. wow this was so helpful I would have wasted my egg carton but this is a good way to make them useful. Now we'll go over some common questions and concerns gardeners have about the egg carton planting process. Styrene, a major component of styrofoam, is. Certain paper cups will eventually break down into compost just like the egg cups. Tomato seedlings sprouting in early … The nice thing about using paper egg cups is that once your seedlings are sufficiently grown, you can plant them directly in the soil—paper cup and all. How to Germinate Tumbling Tom Tomato Seeds. Answer: Cactus seeds should grow just fine, but you will need to make sure you use a sandy, loamy soil and I'd recommend planting only one seed per egg cup. Although most gardeners grow tomato plants as annuals, the Missouri Botanical Garden notes that they're actually tender perennials that are winter-hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. The first time you move them, a single tomato plant can be happy in something as small as a 4 inch peat pot. BTW, I also use toilet roll inners, standing on a tray to sprout seedlings - they also work well. Place one tomato seed into each egg cup. Transplant the seedlings when they have four true leaves. As with newspaper seedling pots, there's no need to remove the plants from the pots before planting, as the cardboard will break down in the soil as the plant grows. Preparing For Transplant. planted 6-8 weeks before the last expected day of frost for your area Some may not sprout, but if you have two or more sprouts in a single cup, they'll be hard to separate with your fingers later because of the spines. It will depend on the plants you seed into the cartons wether you need to transplant … Bring them in at night. thank you for it this is a great way to plant during the stay home order. Article from grandbobsgarden.blogspot.com. Move into small pots, grow them on a bit, then harden them off before planting outdoors in your prepared area. Anyone have any suggestions. Fill each cup with a moist soilless peat or seed-starting mix. Good life hack! Use a spoon if the paper pots have become too soft and place the whole egg cup -- paper and all -- into the new container. Jan 13, 2020 - Instead of buying more plastic seed-starter pots or expensive kits, learn to recycle old egg cartons and coffee grounds to sprout beautiful, healthy seedlings for your garden with this efficient and eco-friendly seed-planting technique. Cut the lid off a a clean, empty cardboard egg carton. Voted up for useful! you can also use the egg shells - works like gem! Water the seeds and seedlings just enough to keep the soil moist, as needed. Press down on the soil with your fingers to cover the seeds. Roots can easily break up and penetrate the soft paper, so the egg cups pose no damage to the plant. The paper egg cups will disintegrate after you bury them in the soil and add nutrients to your potting mix. on my soul in my cups. The ideal is to start tomato seeds 6 to 8 weeks before you want to transplant into the garden. : As mentioned, the best time to do this is two weeks after the last frost date. The paper will also help your newly-planted seedling's roots stay moist until it breaks down. Seedlings Growing Tomatoes In Containers Tomato Seedlings Tomato Garden Little Plants Spring Plants Plants Vegetable Garden Garden. (If you started seedlings in individual containers at least three inches square, simply thin out the weaker plants by snipping them off … Line them up so they fit snugly in the container without much space to move around or spread out. When you’ve completed the hardening off stage, it’s time to move your beloved tomato plants to their permanent outdoor spot. can you use this for flowers too? Water gently so the soilless mix gets thoroughly moist, but isn't wet or soggy. I'm going to leave the carton whole and put it in a glass dish to water from below. Place the egg carton greenhouse in a warm spot that remains at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a countertop. All votes up! These are a few of the materials you'll need to get started. Coffee grounds are great for gardening because they add nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to the soil. Do You Remove the Potting Container Before Planting Tomatoes? I’ve been watering as recommended (and have some nice sprouting!!) When To Transplant. It's usually easier to cut your egg cups apart before planting. Cut the cups of your egg carton apart. I might consider giving it a go this spring. I never covered it with a … When the seedlings grow large enough and when the weather warms outside, you should transplant your plants into the ground. That's wonderful idea. but there’s a nice spread of fluffy white mold on my soil ): Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 03, 2015: What a clever idea to reuse the egg cartons for growing seeds of herbs and what not. I just bought little seed holders for 65 cents which I thought was a deal, but this is the perfect recycler. Let's dig in! Anyone have any suggestions. Fill each cup with potting soil and add your seeds, placing them at the depth indicated on the seed packet. Then fill the tray with water. As you can see in the photo above, the roots will be able to grow right through the paper, which will eventually break down into compost once planted. Jul 12, 2015 - Great Demonstration Video On How To Transplant Seedlings Are you looking for a way to transplant seedlings? Repot again into 1 gallon jugs when the new plants look healthy and strong and reach at least 6 inches tall. I haven't gotten any sprouts yet but looks like two have some kind of bubble that looks about to burst? Tomato seedlings sprouting in early Spring inside the grow room @French Pascucci Czachor Manor. Tarrin Lupo from Peterborough NH on January 30, 2014: Great idea, it will save me a few bucks on those plastic seed starting trays. Susan Trump from San Diego, California on January 28, 2015: This is great. Many don't survive, and weeds can interfere with the growth of your plants. The Oregon State University Extension Service recommends a sowing depth of about 1/8 inch deep. I also use plastic fruit, pudding, and jello cups as reusable small "starting" pots for seedlings that transplant easily. This is very useful. – Get creative! Depending on the type of carton, you may be able to put it right in the ground with the seedling and let it decompose in the soil. That photo is from a previous year. Even if you had holes large enough for the roots to get out (in young tomato seedlings, the roots often are much larger than the visible top of the seedling), when you try to remove them from those little cups, the roots … Place the cups on a shallow tray. This is very helpful. I used the old-style "Paper Mache" type Cartons mostly but the new Strafoam Egg Cartons will work to start the plants - though you won't be able to go directly into the Garden with them. I planted a variety of tomatoes, habanero peppers and barletta onions. Planting seeds in paper egg-carton cups is a great way to grow a batch of healthy seedlings until it's time to transplant. Growing tomato plants from seed, however, can open up your garden to an overwhelming variety of tomatoes in dozens of colors, sizes and flavors. Question: Can I grow lemon seeds in an egg carton? Love using coffee grounds. Place the egg cups in a greenhouse tray with a lid or in a shallow plastic container. But not this year. You will need to transplant the plants into trays or pots as soon as they start putting out their True Leaves. Hoping that's the germination?? Paper egg cartons are a much better choice for this project for several reasons: Since styrofoam is made of such nasty stuff (both for people and the environment), it's a good idea to avoid buying eggs in styrofoam containers. believed by the EPA to be a potential carcinogen. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. specifically lavender/alyssum. These should be avoided for the purposes of this project. Seedlings can also be replanted into a pot or other container after sprouting. I have a lot of egg plaatic containers, which we usually throw it away. Transplant them into to 3- to 4-inch pots or recycled plastic cups with several drainage holes cut out of the bottom. Egg cartons are flexible seed starting containers. Jelly roll pans would work for this, but I use an old plastic boot tray. You can write directly on the egg carton to keep your seeds organized. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and will not break down in the environment. Egg cartons are typically made of paper, plastic, or styrofoam materials. Equipment / Tools. Start placing them outside for a few hours each day to strengthen them and get them used to outdoor conditions. It's best to sow your tomato seeds 7-9 weeks prior to your estimated transplant date. Depending on the variety, they can be 2-4 inches tall at this stage. Expect the paper egg cups to absorb water and soften. If the seedlings seem to be getting too big for the egg dimples, but the weather has not warmed sufficiently for outdoor planting, feel free to transplant your seedlings to larger containers. Tomato seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they have their first set of true leaves or at least 2 sets of leaves. Tomato seedling transplant rules. The first time you move them, a single tomato plant can be happy in something as small as a 4 inch peat pot. I like to save disposable paper cups for this purpose. I use this trick all the time, and it is a great way to reuse paper egg cartons. A complete and thorough demonstration of how to transplant tomato seedlings from 2-inch seedlings up to 18-inch tomato plants. Hi— anyone have trouble with soil molding while in the paper egg carton? I do this too! Avoid placing them next to a sunny window as they may get too hot. In this video, I demonstrate how to transplant your tomato seedlings from the Egg-Carton Greenhouse to a larger container. Thanks so much for reminding me what a great idea it is. Convention typically states to start tomatoes indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. When to transplant tomato seedlings. Egg cartons Cardboard egg cartons can be used to start a dozen seedlings, and then cut apart to plant each one when it's time to plant them in the garden. It's one of the tedious bits about growing from seed indoors, the need to pot on I'm afraid, and it's not a step you can omit. So glad that l have these egg cartoons which l have been saving .l also have some egg plant seeds so l am going to get started using this method. Thanks so much for this. Waiting too long to transplant seedlings can lead to yellowing of the leaves and roots that grow around the edges of the container and even out the holes. I saved two egg cartons to do this, and your article is very helpful. I was especially impressed with the coffee grounds! If your last frost date is around the end of January, it may still be too cool for heat- and sun-loving tomato plants. Answer: Yes! If the cups you use are biodegradable, they can be planted directly into the soil once your plants are large enough. How to Start Seedlings in Egg Cartons. Love this … Aside from cilantro and parsley, what are other seeds that i should try? You can sprout lemon seeds using an egg carton. Egg Carton Tomato Seedlings - Fast, Easy, Cheap! The plug of soil in your egg carton won't be big enough for proper root formation, and any plant is only as good as its roots. Transplant them into to 3- to 4-inch pots or recycled plastic … Once the seeds start to sprout, cut apart the individual dimples and plant the seedlings straight into your prepared garden or pot. Styrofoam is not water-absorbent and will not soak up and retain moisture for your seedlings. If you have a question that isn't answered here, feel free to ask in the comments below. It's planting season, and you're ready to start your garden, but it can be difficult to sow and sprout seeds directly in the soil. We grow between 35-40 heirloom and hybrid tomatoes varieties. I just poke a few holes in the bottom, fill them with my starting mix, and I'm off and running! Way to go! Starting with larger … Mary Craig from New York on April 10, 2013: People like Wabash Annie, are probably familiar with using egg cartons but you are introducing them to a whole new, environmentally conscious age group. I wouldn't use egg cartons to start seedlings -- they're WAY too small unless you plan to transplant them immediately after the cotyledons (first leaves) appear. Greenhouse tray with lid or shallow plastic container and plastic wrap. I started early this month (Feb)... the earliest I have ever started and my seedlings have not sprouted this year. As mentioned, the best time to do this is two weeks after the last frost date. https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/how-grow-you... A waterproof plate or tray to set the egg cups on.