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Starting Seedlings in Egg Cartons  

post #1 of 10
3/7/08 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
I have seen a few resources that recommends doing this but I am concerned about salmonella from the eggs being in the cartons. Has anyone used this method successfully? What do you think?

TIA!
post #2 of 10
3/7/08 at 6:08pm
Don't think you have to worry about salmonella - there's plenty of other bacteria in the soil too. It's dirt! Dirt is dirty ) For seedlings, I just use those black trays from the garden store. They are much bigger and easier. Don't have to transfer so often.
post #3 of 10
3/8/08 at 1:11am
I don't think that you have anything to worry about. Afterall there are lots of teachers who use unwanted cartons for paint trays and such. If they weren't safe, they wouldn't be used.
post #4 of 10
3/8/08 at 3:49am
I minored in poultry in college and my teacher said only 1 in 20,000 get salmonella. You'll be fine as long as your not eating the carton.
post #5 of 10
3/8/08 at 4:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FarmerCathy View Post
I minored in poultry in college
Why does this make me giggle?

Can salmonella travel on the shell/outside of the egg? I was thinking as long as you're not putting raw egg in the carton you'd be fine... But I'm also the girl who turns her egg cartons into kick-butt firestarters so I'm not the fountain of knowledge here...
post #6 of 10
3/8/08 at 10:39am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reassurance. I usually recycle my cartons for the local egg farms. I'm always paranoid when my son gets ahold of them. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much. It seems like the farm does wash the eggs because they are always clean.

Anyway, maybe I will use them to get things started!

(Oh and lmonter I just checked out your felt food. OMG! I love it! I may have to place an order!)
post #7 of 10
3/8/08 at 6:41pm
The only thing I've read about not using them is because they are so shallow that you'll need to transplant soon.
post #8 of 10
3/8/08 at 7:18pm
Dude, a local egg farm? I'd hazard a guess you have *less* of a chance of salmonella than the eggs I have to buy at the store. And feel free to order some stuff! After I get the new babe's diapers paid for, I get to spend the rest I make on garden stuff.
post #9 of 10
3/9/08 at 12:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lmonter View Post
Why does this make me giggle?

Can salmonella travel on the shell/outside of the egg? I was thinking as long as you're not putting raw egg in the carton you'd be fine... But I'm also the girl who turns her egg cartons into kick-butt firestarters so I'm not the fountain of knowledge here...
Your funny. Hey, they didn't have a poultry major anymore. Anyway, it was a waste. I basically went to school to find out what I didn't want to do. They school you for corporate work not small farming.

Anyway, the only risk is if an egg breaks in the carton. Not much of a risk if you know an egg hasn't broken in your carton. You normally just throw those cartons away.
post #10 of 10
3/9/08 at 12:25am
I saved some for DS to palnt flowers in, he has a thing for flowers. I have a thing for veggies

If your eggs are from free range, organic chickens you should not not have to worry so much about salmonella
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