Sustainability Spotlight with Hawaii Kai Auntie

Permaculture, Plants, People and Preservation

Menu
  • Hawaii Kai Plant Exchange and Sale
  • Plants and Permaculture
  • Costco and Cooking
  • Coturnix Quail
  • Local Musings
Menu

Cilantro and successful milk carton gardening

Posted on January 24, 2022

I’ve always liked starting plants in milk cartons. The cartons are durable enough to last until they finally go into the ground permanently, and can easily be cut away when needed. This was my starting point for reattempting to grow cilantro.

First, I microwaved the cilantro seeds in water at 10% strength for 20 seconds. Then, I let the seeds soak in water for a week, changing out the water 1-2 times daily. After prepping the seeds, I placed it into milk carton pots, which were cut to about 2/3 of their full height. The seeds were then lightly covered with dirt and watered until they sprouted.

Once sprouted, they stayed in the container until nearly all of the seeds had grown four or so real leaves each. Then, I moved the plants to the garden but kept them in their milk carton. Only the bottom of the milk carton was removed. You can use a utility knife or a scissors — the cartons are easy enough to pierce through. I dug a hole big enough to fit the milk carton into, then lowered it into the ground. Currently, they’re still surrounded by the carton. There’s no need to remove it. The plant can grow deeply into the ground while not being disturbed by slugs and snails at night.

I’m calling this one a success. Every week or so, I’ll start a new container, then I should have a nice rotation going so there’s always some fresh cilantro on hand for cooking.

East Oahu and Hawaii Kai News

  • Hawaii basketball alumni don UH jerseys again in makeshift game - Honolulu Star-Advertiser
    July 10, 2025
  • Koko Crater Stairs remains closed in Hawaii Kai - Honolulu Star-Advertiser
    July 10, 2025
  • Koko Head Stairs reopens after child fell into trail’s bunker - KITV
    July 10, 2025
  • Costco Became Hawaii Budget Travel’s Secret Weapon - Beat of Hawaii
    July 10, 2025
  • Koko Crater Stairs to remain closed until all bunkers sealed - Honolulu Star-Advertiser
    July 9, 2025
  • Koko Head Trail closed to address safety hazards that badly injured a child - KITV
    July 9, 2025

Popular Subjects

2015 2016 aina haina Bargain Community Cooking CoronaVirus Costco Coturnix covid19 East Oahu Edible Edible Plant Education flower Freecycle gardening Hahaione Hawaii Hawaii Kai Herb herbs Honolulu Kahala Kaimuki kaiser Kaiser High School Kaiser HS Kamiloiki koko head landscaping Maunalua Bay Neighborhood Board niu valley Niu Valley Middle School Oahu Ornamental Plant Exchange Portlock Southeast Asian Cuisine Sustainability technology traffic vegetable vegetables

List of Categories

Log in

Email: auntie@EastOahu96825.com
Instagram: @EastOahu96825
YouTube: Hawaii Kai Auntie
Mastodon:@EastOahu96825
LinkedIn: Hawaii Kai Auntie

©EastOahu96825