Spring is in full bloom and we want you to join in the fun with some growing of your own. This month we have a fun gardening project to grow your own windowsill Eggshell Herb Garden and enjoy the flavour and health benefits of herbs in your cooking. These eggshell starters are not only incredibly easy to make, they’ll also look adorable in your home until you’re ready to transplant them. Eggshells are an incredible source of calcium carbonate and are often added to compost. This is a great family project that everyone can be involved in. Have fun with it and decorate your eggs, planters and seed markers.
Herbs are very powerful little plants. Herbs have long been studied and all are shown to be both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Neuroscientists have now linked brain-inflammation to health concerns such as anxiety, depression and Alzheimers. Antioxidants fight inflammation by terminating free radicals that damage brain cells. Adding fresh herbs to your food can help you combat these issues while adding enticing flavour to your dishes. You can also try out making your own tea and adding fresh herbs or essential oils to your bath water. Still think herbs are boring?
Here’s what you are going to need to start your Eggshell Herb Garden:
– Eggs (as many as you need, one for each plant) – Butter knife
– Egg carton – Small Spoon
– Seeds (whatever herbs you like) – Nail
– Potting Soil – Hammer
– Egg carton – Small Spoon
– Seeds (whatever herbs you like) – Nail
– Potting Soil – Hammer
Let’s get crackin’! For your eggshells, you can either save them from regular use or crack with the butter knife and save the egg for later.
Boil the eggshells for several minutes to get rid of any traces of Salmonella, then leave the shells out to dry. When the eggshells are dry, hammer a small hole into the bottom of the shell for drainage. Placing the shells in the egg carton, fill each egg with dampened potting soil. Place a few seeds into each eggshell at the depth indicated on the seed package.
Keep your eggs on a windowsill or in a warm, well-lit room and water daily. When the seeds have sprouted crack the shell thoroughly and place the entire eggshell starter in the hole you have dug for the plant. The eggshell will decompose and provide both nutrients and protection from pests for your plant.
It is magical watching our own seeds sprout and grow then be able to use their fruits as ingredients in your meals. With these biodegradable pots made from newspaper, you can go from seed to seedling and straight to planting in the garden with no transplanting at all!
Here’s what you need to make your newspaper pots:
* newspaper
* scissors
* glass or cup for a mould – if possible this should have a small concave in the base
* potting mix
* seeds of your choice
* water
* twine
* low-cut cardboard box or styrofoam box
* scissors
* glass or cup for a mould – if possible this should have a small concave in the base
* potting mix
* seeds of your choice
* water
* twine
* low-cut cardboard box or styrofoam box
- Fold a length of newspaper in half.
- Roll it around the cup at least twice, leaving about 3-5cm to tuck into the base.
- Tuck paper up into concave base tightly. Tie twine around the outside of the cup.
- Slip the paper off the cup. Make as many as you need.
- Fill each pot with potting mix. Get the kids to help!
- Sow seed into the potting mix. Repeat until finished.
- Store seedling pots in a low-cut cardboard box or styrofoam box in direct sunlight. Water regularly and keep an eye on them. Depending on the seeds potted, you should see some sprouting happening within the week.
- Once your seeds have become seedlings, plant the whole thing – newspaper pot and all – into the ground. The pot will break down and you will have a gorgeous garden full of bloom, herbs or veggies in no time.
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