How-To

Make Your Own Seed Tape

Making your own seed tape can save you time, ensures your plants are spaced out correctly, and is a great "rainy day" project for kids.

finished seed tape
Photo/Illustration: Greg Holdsworth (All photos)

OK, I’ll admit it. Up until now I haven’t appreciated the usefulness of seed tapes. Assuming the store carries them at all, the variety selection is extremely limited. When it comes to spacing the seeds and rows in my raised beds, I’m a gardening perfectionist–always trying to get nice, neat, perfectly spaced rows of seeds. Not only that, having to thin out perfectly good seedlings is always a painful experience. Since it is now time to plant fall carrots in our area, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try the seed tape thing out. The following project will yield 2-4 seed tapes, about an inch wide. You can certainly vary this, to make whatever spacing configuration you need.

The list of things you’ll need:

1. Flour
2. Water
3. Scissors
4. Toilet paper (paper towels or white party streamers can also be used)
5. Ruler
6. Pencil
7. Small paintbrush
8. Seeds
9. Small bowl
10. Plate

Optional:
Tweezers
Airtight bag or container

Skill Level:

Easy

Procedure:

1. In a small bowl or container, mix the flour and water until a thick paste forms. You’re aiming for the consistency of white craft glue or syrup. It should be thick enough to sit on the end of your brush or pencil without dripping.

2. Cut the toilet paper in half, at the length you need. The toilet paper is twice the width you need, so by cutting it in half down the middle, you’ll have 2 tapes already measured, or 4 tapes if the paper is two-ply.

3. Use a pencil and ruler to draw marks on the paper according to the seed packet’s spacing recommendations.

4. Place the seeds you’ll be using on a clean plate and spread them apart so they’re easier to pick up.

5. Using the small paintbrush, put small ‘dots’ or dollops of the paste along one side of the toilet paper strip, on the marks you made.

6. Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to stick one or two seeds to each dot.

7. Fold the other half of the toilet paper over, on top of the seeds. This will seal the seeds inside your seed tape until they’re in the ground and ready to germinate. The paste will also keep the paper sealed.

8. Allow the tape to dry, then write the plant and variety name on it.

At this point your seed tape is ready to go. If it’s not planting time when you’re finished, you’ll need to store it in an airtight container, preferably in a cool place. Roll the tape up into a coil, or simply wrap it around an empty toilet paper roll.

To plant the seed tape, prepare your growing area as usual and lay the tape down. Cover it with the appropriate depth of soil and water as usual. The toilet paper will gradually dissolve in time as the seedlings grow.

View Comments

Comments

  1. andreamark543 07/14/2020

    Yeah its a great way to learn our kids about gardening, I mostly buy these tapes from Back to school coupons because I easily get much discount, and they deliver stuff at home, but I will try this tape to make at home, because your ideas are great.

  2. johanpaul 01/15/2021

    HELLO THERE.! PAST FEW DAYS I WAS SEARCHING FOR COUPONS AND PROMOCODES THEN I FOUND nutako code WHICH IS SELLING OVER 5000 COUPONS I THOUGHT I WILL HELP YOU THATS WHY I UPLOADING THE WEBSITE LINK AS WELL CHECK OUT HAPPY SHOPPING TOO

  3. User avater
    couponsexperts 07/02/2021

    Yeah Its a Fantastic Way to Guide our kids about Gardening.
    https://www.couponsexperts.com/

  4. User avater
    couponsexperts 07/02/2021

    Yeah Its a Fantastic Way to Guide our kids about Gardening.

    Coupons Experts

  5. Monna007 07/26/2021

    Home and garden. This was very informative and helpful!

  6. cutaprice 08/30/2021

    Detailed blog about gardening thank you for share.
    https://cutaprice.com/

  7. denverhunter 09/07/2021

    How Can You use Clear pay?
    Just shop on shein.co.uk and check out normally. At checkout, choose CLEARPAY as the payment method. You will be directed to the CLEARPAY website to register and provide payment details (Visa or Master Card). If you have used CLEARPAY before, just log in to your CLEARPAY account. Then complete your order with ease. Visit Couponsexperts.com! and avail the best SHEIN Coupon Codes.
    https://www.couponsexperts.com/stores/shein-coupon-codes

  8. VeenaMec 09/16/2021

    This is an interesting article.
    https://vizapparel.com/

  9. Jhonwick12 02/02/2022

    such a great kind of post, this information is helpful for me thanks a lot for sharing with everyone.
    https://bestsavingscoupon.com/stores/chadmade-curtains

  10. christinejohn 02/11/2022

    It is a great mind relaxing activity especially for a student, to take some break from their hectic persuasive essay writing (https://eazyresearch.com/services/persuasive-essay-writing/) and spend some time with nature, it helps them to do come up with more creative writing thoughts.

  11. ashlymarsh 02/12/2022

    such a great kind of post, this information is helpful for me thanks a lot for sharing with everyone.
    saveecoupons

  12. User avater
    GarzaFegno123 04/01/2022

    What a great article, you have beautifully explained this article. The author is giving good thoughts and suggestions to each and every reader through this article.

    Visit: https://www.mysavinghub.com/store/olight-usa-coupons

  13. jamaimacyrus 04/20/2022

    Gardening is a very good activity and highly followed by everyone as a hobby too. Growing tree significantly helps in maintaining the ecosystem. The companies like Dissertation Abstract Uk also arrange such activities for their employees to give them a break from their hectic professional routines.

  14. emilyjoseph 10/03/2022

    This DIY seed tape is easy to make and it can be used to grow any type of seed, vegetable, or flower. The seed tape has a water-based adhesive on one side, which allows it to stick to most surfaces. It also includes a growing chart with all the different types of seeds and vegetables. The product includes easy-to-follow instructions. video cdn

  15. EMMI 10/15/2022

    Your post has those fast which are not accessible from anywhere else.
    woocommerce webshops

  16. EMMI 10/15/2022

    Thanks for sharing. Your post has those fast which are not accessible from anywhere else.
    woocommerce webshops

  17. EMMI 10/15/2022

    I am extremely delighted with this web journal. It's a useful subject. It helps me all that much to take care of a few issues.
    Daycare Langley

  18. EMMI 10/15/2022

    I am extremely delighted with this web journal. It's a useful subject. It helps me all that much to take care of a few issues.
    hats Vancouver

  19. EMMI 10/15/2022

    Your post has those facts which are not accessible from anywhere else.

    t-shirt printing

  20. EMMI 10/15/2022

    So lucky to come across your excellent blog. Your blog brings me a great deal of fun. Good luck with the site.

    lean consulting

  21. EMMI 10/15/2022

    This is truly the web service provider I was looking for!
    bridget rooney

  22. EMMI 10/15/2022

    This is truly the web service provider I was looking for!
    freelancing websites in pakistan

  23. EMMI 10/15/2022

    Your post has those facts which are not accessible from anywhere else.
    gilgit weather

  24. EMMI 10/15/2022

    So lucky to come across your excellent blog. Your blog brings me a great deal of fun. Good luck with the site.
    addiction counsellor

  25. EMMI 10/15/2022

    I am extremely delighted with this web journal. It's a useful subject. It helps me all that much to take care of a few issues.
    winben humidifier

  26. EMMI 10/15/2022

    I am extremely delighted with this web journal. It's a useful subject. It helps me all that much to take care of a few issues.
    Event DJ

  27. Iram 10/17/2022

    What a useful information provided by this blog! It’s remarkable. Thanks for helping me out
    Fight Scams Now

  28. Iram 10/17/2022

    I am really appreciating your ideas regarding doing blog commenting this is genuine way to optimize our blog/website
    Scam Tribune

  29. Iram 10/17/2022

    such a great kind of post, this information is helpful for me thanks a lot for sharing with everyone.

    Red Flag Scammers

  30. Iram 10/17/2022

    I appreciate you taking the time to discuss it since I have strong opinions regarding it and I want to find out more information about it.

    Fraudsters News

  31. Iram 10/17/2022

    What a useful information provided by this blog! It’s remarkable. Thanks for helping me out.
    Investments Hoax

  32. Iram 10/17/2022

    it was good to read this post which is a great guide
    Scammer News

  33. Iram 10/17/2022

    This is a well informative and interesting post.
    Scam Guards

  34. EmilyXD 10/17/2022

    it was good to read this post which is a great guide
    Asset Management Udemy

  35. EmilyXD 10/17/2022

    Thanks for sharing.
    Asset Management Magazine

  36. EmilyXD 10/17/2022

    I like the mind set you set about commenting on blogs,
    Investors Diurnal Finance Magazine

  37. EdgeCTP 10/20/2022

    such a great kind of post, this information is helpful for me thanks a lot for sharing with everyone.
    CRM

  38. EvanJodie 10/21/2022

    I simply want to tell you that I am new to weblog and definitely liked this blog site. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . Very efficiently written information. It will be valuable to everyone who uses it, including myself. Thanks a lot princess diana red puffer jacket

  39. richardcostello3910 11/04/2022

    Taylor Swift recently debuted a brand-new song titled "Bejeweled." She is a stunning voice, and this song really showcases how well she dresses. She is dressed in a Taylor Swift Bejeweled Cloak and looks stunning. I advise anyone interested in purchasing it to go to the jacket-hub.com website. You can purchase it on this website for the lowest possible cost.

  40. cijom 11/06/2022

    So lucky to come across your excellent blog. Your blog brings me a great deal of fun. Good luck with the site.
    lean six sigma fayetteville

  41. User avater
    Tehseen 11/18/2022

    You have shared very intersecting information I like your content. it is very helpful for the youth who have the habit of gardening. Amazon in Pakistan

  42. solexep 12/05/2022

    I like this post, And I figure that they have a great time to peruse this post, they might take a decent site to make an information, thanks for sharing it with me.
    https://www.radonmitigationindianapolis.com/

  43. oliverjames666 12/27/2022

    I just wanted to say that I am new to blogging and that I have really enjoyed reading your posts.

    https://www.bookngly.com/

  44. dreamcoolacs 03/11/2023

    Our routine AC servicing includes improved cooling quality with low energy consumption. If you want optimal AC performance, hire Dream Cool Air Conditions for annual servicing and ac maintenance Dubai areas. https://dreamcoolacs.com/

  45. andrewkevin210 05/06/2023

    Sex/Life Season 2 Billie Connelly Floral jacket

  46. Emmawatson3848 05/25/2023

    Jason Momoa looks stunning in her Fast X Jason Momoa Jacket. I recommend that anyone who is interested in purchasing it visit Asal Vision. You can buy it on this site for the most minimal conceivable expense.

  47. Shaz_Man 07/24/2023

    Remarkable Blog! Thanks for sharing this idea for kids. It will be very educational for them.
    couponscanyon

  48. olivia_here 11/11/2023

    Thanks for sharing this unique idea. Check this out to get roadside assistance in NYC.

  49. neoglobal 02/21/2024

    Amazing Idea, We can also try water-soluble seed tape

  50. heyduggeek 03/13/2024

    Drift Boss is the best drift racing game I've ever played. Beautiful graphics, engaging gameplay and vivid sound.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest