Spring is all about planting!  At the Barn, we’re getting our garden ready for summer fruits and veggies.  It’s still too cold out to plant certain things, but you can get a head start while the weather is still warming up by growing seeds indoors in a planter.  Kids love using eggshells to make mini indoor planters, which can be transplanted outside when the ground warms up.

Time: 30 minutes active time, followed by regular care for your plants.

Materials: Eggs, egg carton, sharp paring knife, a needle, potting soil, spray bottle with water, seeds (I recommend herbs seeds such as basil, parsley, thyme and cilantro, or veggie seeds such as broccoli, lettuce or zucchini).

Adult Prep:

1. Using a sharp knife, cut off the top third of the egg(s).
2. Pour the egg into a bowl (and use them for cooking!).

Kids’ Activity:

1. Starting with the empty eggshells, have kids help you rinse out the shells.  You can place them in a pot of gently boiling water to really clean out all of the egg, but it’s not necessary.
2. Once clean, poke a hole in the bottom of the eggshell for drainage (adults may want to do this step!).
3. Spray the inside of the shells with water.
4. Place eggshells back into the carton.
5. Fill shells most of the way with potting soil, then press seeds into the soil, and cover with more soil.
6. Spray again with water, then place in a sunny area indoors, watering as needed.
7. When the seeds begin to sprout, you can transport the eggshell planters outside, and, cracking the shells a bit, place them in the ground.  The shell will eventually biodegrade, like compost!

Want to skip the eggshells?   Our egg carton planters in the Barn Shop are perfect for growing a pizza garden or tea garden!

Have you ever used an eggshell planter?  What will you plant this spring?

– Stacey Antine, MS RD, author, Appetite for Life, founder, HealthBarn USA, co-host, Family Food Expert Internet Radio Show, and recognized as top 10 dietitians nationally by Today’s Dietitian magazine for her work with HealthBarn USA

A healthy lifestyle isn’t all about food: keeping kids active and fostering their creativity is essential for healthy development, too!  In this blog, I’ll be sharing weekly activity ideas for families to do together.