Don’t waste your egg-shells! They make handy containers for growing seeds, and the nutrients in the shells will give your plants a great start.
Keep the shells from your boiled eggs, until you have enough for the number of seeds you want to grow.
Use a pin or needle to make a few holes in the bottom of the shells for drainage (1). You can neaten the shells with scissors if necessary.
Place the shells in egg cartons to hold them steady, and put some potting compost into each one (2).
Now plant your seeds – one or two in each shell. Cover them lightly with compost, according to the instructions on the seed packet. If you are growing lots of different types, you can easily label them by writing on the egg-shells.
Keep the seeds warm and watered (if you are growing them in the house, you might want to place the egg cartons on a tray to catch any drips).
When the seedlings start to grow (3), put them in a sunny place, but not in direct sunlight.
Once the seedlings are large enough, they can be planted in the garden or into containers. Just crush the egg-shell in your hand, and pop it into the hole you have made (4). This saves disturbing the delicate roots, and the shell will go on giving goodness to the young plants (5).
These plants are basil, but you can grow many other seeds this way.
