
Ashleigh Smith

Are you looking for a way to teach your kids about gardening? Getting them directly involved is a great way to catch their interest. From the time I was able to first pull weeds, place a seed, or hold a hose I remember helping my grandmother with her garden. Some of my happiest memories come from our time spent harvesting peas and playing with praying mantises. Its the place I first learned I liked parsley, chives, and a sun warmed tomato.
Looking forward to the coming season you may find yourself planning with little helping hands in mind. I would recommend starting now. Don’t wait for the weather to warm up. Teaching the basics now can also help your child grow in excitement and anticipation.
To start growing seeds in your home, start with a basic egg carton seed tray. You can cut the top off leaving the wells for individual plants. Once you have your container, add some soil. You can get a fresh bag of soil from your local garden center, nursery, grocery store, or other similar stores.
Fill each well to the top. Then plant a seed and add water. Just make sure you keep your container in a well lit area. If you are really concerned about having enough light you can use a grow light for a more reliable light source.
About the Author

I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
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2 comments
Tammy Casaletto
Question on article about using egg cartons for seed starters. – can you use any type of egg carton (plastic, styrofoam, etc) or does it have to be cardboard type?
Kat Silva
Is that enough space for the roots before time after frost? Enough space for them to grow and get good true leaves so we can transfer???
Further Reading
Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting: Germination Tips and Troubleshooting Guide
Written By Lara Wadsworth Thousands of people every year flock to garden centers nationwide to buy young seedling plugs. While it is incredibly convenient to buy seedlings ready to be planted in the garden, starting seeds at home has some significant a...
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2025-04-0214 min read0Fight Rising Grocery Prices with Victory Gardens
Throughout history, we have seen many reasons for failures in the supply chain when producing and shipping food crops. At the forefront of these historical losses, we have seen pest and disease outbreaks, weather fluctuations, poor growing practices, l...
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2025-04-028 min read5April Planting Guide by Zone
Written By Lara Wadsworth They say that April showers bring May flowers. I say that April seed sowing brings September harvesting! It's not quite as quippy, but it's still true. For much of the country, April is just the beginning of gardening season, ...
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2025-03-2413 min read0How to Improve Soil Drainage
Written By Lara Wadsworth Proper soil drainage is a major part of a successful garden. When the soil retains too much water and becomes soggy for long periods of time, it can cause problems with plant health, inhibit root growth, and increase the chanc...
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2025-03-207 min read0