Egg cartons: throw them away or take them to the dacha

Interesting ideas

Egg cartons tend to accumulate quickly. Before throwing them in the trash, consider whether they may have a useful purpose beyond protecting chicken eggs. The materials used to make egg cartons are lightweight and durable. These trays are suitable for many purposes, and are especially useful in the garden.

Using trays in the garden

Cardboard boxes are beneficial for garden beds; recycling and composting are two viable options. Here are some ways to repurpose egg cartons. Seed starters: Their compostable nature and neat dividers make cardboard fiber containers ideal for starting seeds. Fill each cup 3/4 full with potting soil. Sow the seeds and store the box in a sunny, safe location. When the seedlings are ready to transplant, cut the box into sections. Then place the seedlings, along with the resulting cup, in the prepared garden bed.

Important!

It is recommended to wet the egg container immediately before placing it in the soil (this helps speed up the decomposition process).

It can also be packaged in plastic plant Seeds. If you close the top lid, you'll create a miniature greenhouse. The tray closes loosely, allowing air to pass through, but moisture evaporates slowly, allowing you to reduce the frequency of watering. However, when replanting, be sure to remove the plastic cup, as it does not biodegrade.

One of the easiest ways to use paper egg cartons is for garden compost. Tear them up and toss them into a compost heap or worm bin, especially if it gets too wet. Worms in compost benefit from a balanced diet, and they enjoy feeding on paper and cardboard. Paper egg cartons are 100% biodegradable and can be shredded and used as mulch around garden plants. After two seasons, the cardboard will decompose. Tilling the soil will help penetrate the cellulose.

Carrot and lettuce seeds germinate best when they're on the surface of moist soil. The same is true for many very small flower seeds. However, keeping the soil constantly moist in the garden is problematic. Flat, clear lids from plastic egg cartons solve this problem. It's recommended to loosen and level the soil surface, sprinkle the seeds, water thoroughly, and then press the clear plastic lids onto the seeds, burying the edges to keep them in place. Once the tiny sprouts emerge, remove the lids. This works especially well in early spring, when the soil is 8-10 degrees above freezing.

Using egg cartons for your summer vacation

For most people, relaxing at the dacha means cooking delicious dishes over a fire. This is where egg cartons, used as fire starters, come in handy. It's easy to make:

You need to add sawdust to each cup of the paper container and pour melted candle wax over it.
When you need a quick starter for a fire or barbecue, simply tear off one cell, light it and place it in the fireplace or grill.