How to Make Seed Starter Cells From Egg Cartons

Cut the lid off of an empty egg carton. Use scissors or knife to trim along the sides. With a needle, poke three or four holes along the bottom of each egg cell. This will help to drain the cells.

Spray the egg carton with water from a spray bottle until it is moist.

Fill each cell with potting soil or a composting mix until it is about a quarter of an inch to the brim. Drop one seedling into each cell. Then cover again with a fine layer of the soil mixture.

Place the egg carton with the seedlings in a warm, sunny place. You can also place them in a plastic bag or cover them with plastic wrap to preserve heat and moisture. This creates a small hothouse for the seedlings.

Spray the seedlings with water when soil becomes dry. Sprouts usually appear after seven to 10 days. Once sprouts appear, remove the plastic covering and place the egg carton in a sunny spot.

Observe the sprouts for growth. When the first true leaves appear, it is time for the sprouts to be transplanted. The true leaves grow above the leaves that first push out of the dirt. This usually takes about three to four weeks. Seedlings should be around 1 to 2 inches tall.