Get a jump start on spring planting and planning your garden with DIY Seed Tape. This easy method for direct sowing prevents lightweight seeds from blowing or floating away while planting or watering. It requires just a few basic supplies and is an affordable way to grow garden veggies or flowers.
Happy Friday!
Are you seeing signs of spring in your neck of the woods?
A week of warming temperatures has my mind on all things garden! Our extended forecast looks like the threat of frost is behind us, but I’m biding my time until April 15th, which is our official frost date for planting, seeds, annuals and tender perennials.
I’m sharing a fun and easy DIY that you can do indoors with thoughts of spring, making Seed Tape! You get a lot of bang for your buck with a package of seeds! DIY Seed Tape is an easy way to control your spacing and eliminate thinning, while preventing lightweight seeds from blowing away while planting or floating away with overhead watering. It also saves you the step of starting seeds in cell trays and transplanting.
I’m a big fan of both zinnias and cosmos, both easy to grow from seed!
Cosmos provides a source of nectar as well as pollen for bees. . .
Zinnias often do better direct sowing rather than transplanting, as they are sensitive to root disturbance. Zinnias are reliable and come in a rainbow of colors.
Zinnias and Cosmos both attract pollinators and are a favorite of bees and butterflies.
DIY Seed Tape is easy make, no fancy supplies required!
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Materials needed:
Paper: Toilet paper, separated to single ply for easier germination
Glue: A mixture of flour and water, or non-toxic glue like Elmer’s
Seeds of choice
Tools: Ruler, pencil, paintbrush, toothpick, and a plate or container for the seeds
To start prepare your toilet paper by separating it into a single ply and cutting it to your desired length. I found it easier to work with short lengths.
The area where I plant zinnias is a curved bed, so short lengths work best. Fold the strips in half lengthwise to create a crease, then unfold.
Make the seed glue by mixing 1 – 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour with 1 tablespoon or so of water to create a thick paste. You don’t want the seed glue too watery to prevent the seeds from germinating prior to planting. Alternatively, use a small amount of non-toxic glue, like Elmer’s.
Consult the seed packet for the recommended spacing and use a ruler and pencil to mark the spots where you want to place the seeds on the paper. Use a paintbrush or toothpick to apply small dots of glue along the marked spots. I used a brush for the glue, and dipped the toothpick into the glue to pick up a seed. Carefully place one or two seeds on each glue dot.
Fold the paper over the seeds to seal them between the two layers of paper. Allow your strips of paper to dry, about 2 hours depending on the heat and humidity.
When dry, roll or fold your strips up and store in a cool, dry place until planting time and label them. When it’s time to plant, unroll the tape and plant according to the seed packet directions, covering the seed tape with soil at the level indicated.
I stored mine in a plastic zip top bag with the seed packet to identify them.
My hubby has been growing carrots the past couple of years. If you’ve ever planted carrots, you know how tiny the seeds are! Seed tape will make for much easier planting this spring!
So many seeds, so little yard!
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Yes, about the carrot seeds! I generally just broadcast those seeds and thin them out rather than try to attempt to plant each one individually. Back in the day they used to sell a lot of seed tape. I had mixed results with it. Your method here intrigues me. It’s time to plant my parsnips, so maybe I’ll give this a whirl.
What a wonderful idea! I’m doing this! Thanks for the tutorial. Happy Friday. Clara❤️
Can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
Terrific idea!!! But with you living near Lake Norman, how do you keep rabbits, deer’s etc., from eating your veggies and plants? Do you have a walled garden?
Didn’t even think about breed tape for carrots! What a great idea! Thank you!
My little community plot was so over run by squash bugs last year I’m only growing flowers this year. Zinnias and sunflowers make the best bouquets and I donate numerous arrangements to the local food shelf… “Bread and Roses!” 😁
Mary, you are my go to for a wealth of practical garden tips. I plan to plant cosmos again this season and going to try the seed tape idea. Thank you! Happy Gardening!
Mary, such a wonderful wealth of gardening tips. I am anxious to plant something in our garden. Happy weekend.
Oh my word, you are always teaching me something new! What a great idea you’ve shared with all of us. Thank you, Mary! ❤️
I love your tutorials especially because you are a very clever gal and have figured out tips and tricks along the way that make the job go smoother. I tried to make seed tape in the past but decided it was too difficult. Your version is more practical and looks easier. Thank you!
What a great idea! Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you for this great seed tape idea! I think it will solve many problems I have had in the past!
I’m with you on the “so many seeds so little yard” sentiment!
I look forward to trying this seed tape idea, sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Hope this isn’t a second comment from me! We are at our house in Florida on island time and with island amenities, which are spotty at best!! But thank you for a great idea. Some seeds are so tiny! I love zinnias. I grew up with huge a garden and a section just for zinnias! We would cut all summer long. Beautiful flowers! Ordering seeds and pinning to save for later!
Thanks so much
EXCELLENT post!!! As always, your gardening wisdom is top-notch! Thank you, Mary. Hope you are having a truly wonderful day. Your temps resembled ours last week but a cold front popped in and we had a bit few storms and now it is cooler grey and rainy. Hope that sunshine comes back soon – just not too hot too soon.
Fun idea and always wild about your photos