If you prefer to start your garden with seeds instead of sprouts, there are quite a few different ways to go about this. Seeds usually need to start indoors until they’re big and strong enough to be transplanted into the ground or into a container. Here are a few ideas on how to start seeds indoors to get your seed on the right foot for a thriving garden.
- Repurpose Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are the perfect size to start seeds indoors. Just fill each egg hole with some potting soil, make a depression, place the seed inside, and cover it with soil. Water your seeds sufficiently and keep them in a sunny window. The foam or cardboard of the egg carton will keep the seeds warm and cozy until they begin to sprout.
- Upcycle K-Cups
The little coffee cups that you usually throw away can be reused to start seeds in as well. Instead of tossing them after you brew your coffee or tea, simply peel or cut the foil on top, scrape out the coffee grounds with a spoon, and add a little potting soil. If you want to keep things clean, line them up on a baking sheet to catch any water that may spill when you give them a drink.
- Save Your Toilet Paper Rolls
Toilet paper rolls are in everyone’s home and get thrown away many times a week. Instead of wasting these, cut them in half and use them to plant seeds. Line a small pan or plastic bin with these halved rolls and fill them up with potting soil. Plant your seeds and place the bin in a windowsill. You can peel the toilet paper roll off the plant, or you can just bury the whole thing. The cardboard will disintegrate into the soil over time.
- Orange You Glad You Upcycle?
If you’re looking for something completely biodegradable, this is your best option. Instead of peeling your oranges, cut them in half, like you would cut open a grapefruit. Once you’ve eaten the orange, use each half of the rind as a small pot for a seedling. Once your seed has sprouted and is ready to be planted in the ground, you can either transplant the sprout or you can just bury the entire orange.
- Egg-Cellent Containers
Eggshells are great for you garden, so why not start seeds inside of one? If you eat eggs, you can use the empty shells as seed starter containers. When you crack the egg to eat, try to crack it toward the top so your container will have taller sides. Carefully fill it with soil and seeds, and you’ve got a free planter full of nutrients for your seeds.
