(Donna Erickson)

Kids and dirt seem to have a natural attraction for one another. So, why not give children a chance to learn some responsibility and have some fun by messing with dirt, sprouting seeds and tending their own little plants indoors? These beginner gardeners will give your family vegetable garden a head start and learn the earliest beginnings of the food they'll enjoy this summer.

Instead of buying small flowerpots, use eggshell halves for planters. When it's time to transplant the young plants outdoors, place them in the soil, eggshell and all. Crush the eggshells a bit and they will provide nourishment to the soil and your growing plants.

  • Potting soil

  • Easy-to-grow flower, vegetable, herb seeds

  • Plastic egg carton

  • Clear plastic bag larger than an egg carton

  • Water spritzer or plastic squeeze bottle

  • Felt-tip marker

    What To Do: / While preparing a weekend breakfast of omelets or scrambled eggs, save the shell halves for the project. If I'm cracking a medium-size egg, I tap the top third with a knife and discard the smaller top portion. Pour the raw eggs one by one into your mixing bowl for your meal.

    Rinse out the eggshells well in hot water. Using a darning needle, poke a couple of holes in the bottom of the shells to allow for some drainage. Place washed eggshell halves upright in the egg carton to dry.

    Fill each shell at least two-thirds full with potting soil. Plant seeds according to the directions on the package. Label the shells with felt-tip markers. Or, if you have a row of the same type of seed, make your own style marker with craft supplies and tape it to the carton at the end of the row.

    Using water spritzer, gently water each planted shell, then place the egg carton in a plastic bag and set in a dark place. Check the carton daily, making sure the soil remains moist until the seeds have sprouted. Remove the bag.

    Once the seeds sprout, set the carton in a sunny window. Continue to water the seedlings. When danger of frost is over, transplant them into your garden, shells and all.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families." Become a fan of Donna's Day on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/DonnasDay/ 10150143749885235?ref=ts.