[CH] Planting in Egg Shells

Rodriguez , Gabriela (GRodriguez@FM.UCSF.EDU)
Mon, 27 Apr 1998 14:58:14 -0700

Since many of us are growing our own chile plants, I was wondering if
planting the seeds in egg shells with a little bit of potting soil would be
a good idea.  I saw this as an Easter decoration in a Martha Steward
magazine while standing in the checkout line at the grocery store.  I have
used egg shells to grow sprouts when teaching my children about how plants
grow (we also painted faces on the shells and when the first set of leaves
appeared we "gave it a hair cut "and ate the sprouts.  The seeds were
planted in cotton soaked in water and put into the egg shell.  This idea I
got from a book called something like 75 amazing experiments to do with
children. I can email the complete title if anyone is interested).  When
planting seeds the shells can be held in egg cartons and then when the
seedlings are ready, it can be transplanted directly into the garden, the
same way as peat pots are used.  Would this be a good idea or would it be
too much calcium or something like that for the soil.  BWT, I always toss
crushed egg shells into my  garden because somewhere I read that it was a
good addition to the soil.  Any comments?

Gabriela