Eco-friendly DIY Seed Starters

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and we are so ready to do all things spring!

Quarantine life has brought the baker out of all of us and we’ve been going through a lot of eggs.
Whether it’s the binder for our muffins or the wash for our rolls, there are so many ways this high-
quality protein can be used in some of our favourite recipes. But the versatility doesn’t stop there!
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We’ve partnered with Egg Farmers of Canada to share with you this super simple spring activity that
cuts down on waste and gets that green thumb going after a long winter hibernation. The mighty
Canadian egg is not only a delicious ingredient - it’s also a climate-smart choice and sustainable food
staple! We’re taking our eggs one step further and going full-on sustainable by upcycling the discarded shells. Check out how you can create your own adorable and eco-friendly DIY seed starters.

DIY Seed Starter

Here’s what you’ll need:
- eggshells
- egg cups
- potting soil and spoon
- awl/needle/pin (anything long and sharp)
- knife
- seeds

Step 1: Carefully crack the top third of the egg by tapping the egg on the edge of a bowl or using a sharp knife. If you choose to dye your eggs, complete this step after the shells are dyed.
Step 2: Empty out the eggshells completely.
Step 3: Wash the eggshells out well with water.
Step 4: Poke a hole in the very bottom of the empty shell with your sharp object (this hole provides
drainage so the roots of your plant don’t drown).
Step 5: Using a small spoon, fill the eggshell with moist potting soil (if the potting soil is dry, spray it with water from a spray bottle as you fill the eggshell).
Step 6: Add seeds according to the directions on the seed package that you purchase.
Step 7: After you have planted the seeds, put the eggshell planter into the egg carton if you wish.
Expose your plant to sunlight and watch your plant grow!

To take your seed starter to the next level, give your eggshells an extra pop with natural dyes that use
ingredients you may already have in your fridge or pantry. Dye your eggshells before planting your seeds and give the shells lots of time to dry once the dye is applied.

Natural Egg Dyes

Here’s what you’ll need:
- White eggs
- Turmeric/Blueberries/Beets
- Measuring cups/tablespoons
- Medium pot
- Strainer
- Mixing bowls
- Drying rack
- Water
- White vinegar

Step 1: Bring 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to a boil in a medium pot.
Step 2: Add your dye ingredients (instructions per ingredient below), lower heat and simmer for 30
minutes. Let cool.
Step 3: Strain the dye to discard of any solids and let cool to room temperature.
Step 4: Add eggs and let soak for 15-30 minutes (the longer the soak, the darker the colour!). Remove
with tongs and let sit for 30 minutes on drying rack.

Yellow Eggs/Turmeric: Add three tablespoons of turmeric to the boiling water. Simmer for 30 minutes, let cool, and soak eggs in mixture until they reach the desired shade. (FYI, since turmeric is notorious for staining your skin, you'll want to wear rubber gloves when handling yellow eggs.)

Dark Blue Eggs/Blueberries: Add two cups of blueberries to mixture. Simmer for 30 minutes, strain, and let eggs sit in liquid for 30 minutes or more for deeper tones.

Pink Eggs/Beets: Soak two cups of chopped beets in mixture for 30 minutes. Strain, then allow eggs to
sit in liquid for 30 minutes or more, depending on how deep you want the colour to be.

​Now that your shells are picture perfect, you can move on to the planting.

We’ve loved getting our little ones involved in our gardens this season and they’ve loved getting their
hands dirty and watching their greens grow. Fun fact: eggshells are a great source of calcium carbonate for soil – an essential element that helps plants bloom. So the next time you’re wondering what to do with those crushed eggshells, sprinkle them over your soil. Your plants will thank you!

Let’s welcome the warmer weather together and save our shells! Share your own spring-inspired egg
recipes and projects and make sure to use the hashtag #CanadianEggs so we can see what you’re up to! Happy spring friends!

This blog post is sponsored by Egg Farmers of Canada.