Nellie, Nellie, won't you tell me, how does your garden grow?

That's how the nursery rhyme goes, right? Okay, we might be misremembering the words, but we can say with confidence that a flourishing garden starts with strong, healthy seedlings! And the key to starting seeds is creating a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunshine. It just so happens that when you add a little soil and place them in a sunny spot, our planet-friendly egg cartons transform into mini greenhouses that are ideal for seed starting. They're watertight, made from clear 100% recycled plastic, and will fit perfectly on your windowsill.

Photo Credit: Five Marigolds

How to make an egg carton greenhouse

To make an egg carton greenhouse, you'll need to prepare your egg shells and egg carton before you can begin planting. Your first step is to empty out your egg shells. To do so, gently tap one end of each egg on a flat surface. Peel away the broken fragments to create a small 1/2" or 3/4" hole in the shell, then pour the contents of the egg into a bowl to save for your favorite recipe. Carefully rinse the empty egg shells with water and set them back in your empty carton to dry. Finally, purchase some seeds and soil from your local gardening supply store and you're ready to get started!

Supplies:

• Soil
• Seeds of your choice
• Empty Nellie's Free Range Egg carton
• Nellie's Free Range Eggs, shells only, washed and dried
• Popsicle sticks, cut in half
• Paint or nail polish (optional)
• Permanent marker

Directions:

• Fill your empty egg shells with soil. Alternatively, you can forgo the egg shells and plant your seeds directly in the egg carton by filling each empty cavity with soil.
• Drop a seed into each soil-filled egg shell, then top with another small pinch of soil.
• Water each seed (a spray bottle works best).
• Use a permanent marker and halved popsicle sticks to label each type of seed. To add a pop of color, use paint or nail polish on the popsicle sticks if desired. Gently stick labels into the soil next to each seed.
• Close the egg carton lid and place on a sunny windowsill. Check your greenhouse daily: you should see condensation begin to form after the first sunny day. If at any point the soil looks dry, add a small amount of water.
• Once your seedlings have sprouted, bring your greenhouse outdoors. Transplant each seedling directly into your garden or plant pot by gently crushing the egg shell with your hands and incorporating it into the ground or soil-filled pot. The shell will decompose and provide nutrients for your plants, encouraging them to grow big and strong.

Photo Credit: Five Marigolds