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The Tomato Egg Shell Planter and Early Tomato Planting

Sponsored by Synagro

The Egg Shell Planter

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Things to make your recycled table-top greenhouse:
1.  Egg shells - Quantity, enough for the number of plants that you wish to grow.  Washed after removing the contents.
2.  Potting Soil
3.  Tomato seeds of your choice.
4.  Used waterproof food container with a clear plastic lid.
5.  Chopsticks or skewers
6.  Hot glue gun
7. Clear plastic wrap
8. Cellophane Tape
9. Clear plastic 2-liter soda bottle with the bottom cut off.

INSTRUCTIONS:
#1  Gather some egg shells. 
#2  Carefully remove the top portion (cap) of the egg shell. Be careful not to crack the shell's sides. Wash the inside of the egg shell.
#3  Poke a hole in the bottom of the egg shell to create a drain hole.
#4  Fill with potting soil. Leave a space at the top of the shell to act as a reservior for watering.

Building your Table Top Greenhouse
#1  Use a clean food container that is large enough to hold your egg shells.  It needs to have a clear plastic top.
#2  Using the bottom tray portion (usually the dark bottom) glue your chop sticks in four corners in an upright position.  This is designed to supprt the lid.
#3  Place your soil filled eggs in the bottom tray and add 1 to 3 tomato seeds in each egg. Place a light covering of soil on top, just enough to cover.
#4  Carefully add water into the egg to moisten thoroughly.
#5 Place the clear lid on top of the chop sticks.
#6  Wrap the sides of the greenhouse with plastic wrap, if necessary secure on the top with cellophane tape.
Place near a bright light but not on a window sill.  In the early season February, this area may be too cold to allow for proper germination of the seeds.
The eggs should not be sitting in standing water.  If this is the case, drain off the excess water.

The Egg Shell Planter and Greenhouse

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Depending upon the variety of tomato used, the seed will germinate in approximately 14 to 21 days.  You will need to watch the moisture in the greenhouse.  With the plastic wrap in place the egg may not require any water.  The soil should remain moist but not wet.  If you see condensation (water drops) on the plastic wrap, open the wrap to allow for evaporation of the excess moisture and close after a few hours.

The seeds will sprout producing the first seed leaves.  Later, the plant will start to grow taller and produce regular tomato leaves. After it has become around 6 to 8 inches tall it may be ready to transplant outdoors.  If it is too cold (freezing night time temperatures) wait for the temperatures to warm up.

Early Season Tomato Planting

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In your garden area, (a sunny location) amend your soil with good organics to enrich the soil. After amending the garden soils, Dig a hole to plant the tomato below the top of the soil.  The plant will be protected from cool or cold nights because the soil surrounding the plant will insulate it. 
Place a 2-liter or larger plastic soda bottle with the bottom cut off over the top of your hole.  This acts as a greenhouse and allows sunshine in  and traps warm air for protection at night.

Watch it grow!

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As your tomato grows remove any lower leaves below the soil level and back fill in with amended soil.  It will continue to grow higher in the hole.  This process may be repeated multiple times. Do not bury any leaves while they are still attached to the branch.  It may cause rotting of the stems.
The stems of tomatoes below the soil line will initiate roots and this also supports the tomato plant after it has grown larger.
Caution!  This is a method for planting tomatoes, most of your other plants may die if grown this way.

On wartm days you may unscrew the cap to allow hot air to escape the bottle. Just remember to replace the cap later in the afternoon before night.

Have the earliest tomatoes on your block!

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After the chance of frost has past and with warmer nightime temperatures you can remove the bottle.  Don't forget to feed your tomatoes on a regular schedule with a good organic vegetable  or flower fertilizer. 

If you listen to the Country Garden, you will have an abundance of fresh tomatoes to feed your family and friends.  The earliest in your neighborhood.

Listen to the Country Garden to learn more about recycling common everyday items for your garden.  Sponsored by Synagro.

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