Make Your Own Seed Tapes

Step 4 Add Your Seeds

Place seeds on top of the dots, fold other half of paper towel on top and let it dry completely.

Store in a plastic bag or container until you are ready to plant. (I like to keep mine in the bottom drawer of the fridge).

Drop the seed packet with instructions in with your seed tapes for future reference.

Comments

[greenpixi]

This is awesome. Once I have a space to really garden, I'm definitely going to use an idea like this.

[sonipitts]

I did this one year with carrot seeds, mainly because the little buggers are a bear to plant by hand. I used Elmers (which is non-toxic and bio-degradable) and they came up beautifully. I'll have to try the cornstarch glue next time.

[DebH57]

What a great idea, I would have never thought of Elmers glue, I will have to try your method too. Thanks!

[hobbygirl45]

I am very new to gardening, but will definitely try this. It will make planting quicker and that is good when you live in GA and the temp is 90+. I have a question...do I just dig a small trench and lay the paper towels with the seeds in the dirt and water? Thanks for sharing this project.

[DebH57]

Yup thats pretty much it, just be sure your trench is to the specifications of planting depth, toss in your tape, coverwith dirt and water it.

[sismart]

What an idea! I'm assuming the paper towels dissolve, leaving just planted seeds ready to grow. I like it! Does it matter if they are folded in half? Does this work fine with veggies and fruits, including spacing (would you just cut them into squares for things like zucchini, etc.)? The 'glue' doesn't mess with the growability of the seeds, does it? How far in advance can one do this with (like, 'now' for next year's season, or is that too soon)? Thanks for posting this project!

[DebH57]

Yes the paper towels break down fairly fast. I think folding it in half could be a matter of choice but with the paper towel folded your seed is enclosed whereas if it isn't the seeds could fall off and be lost or start growing where you don't want them. Unless my seeds are large, say twice larger than a watermelon seed or a pit type seeds I space them and plant the whole length of strip without tearing them. The 'glue' being cornstarch and water sort of cocoons the seed, once you water your planting it just dissolves away, it won't harm the growth. I've already started some of next years seeds. The Lawn and Garden Shop starts putting some of their seed on clearance because it is past the time for planting some things here. I pick them up for as little as five to ten cents a packet and when I am bored, having one of those insomnia nights or am stuck inside because of weather I pass the time making more seed tapes and toss them in a bottom drawer in the fridge (which is also a great place to keep your bulbs) designated for that use only.

[Arsonista]

Easy! And as you mentioned, a great way to involve kids. Thanks for this project.

[DebH57]

You are more than welcome, thanks for your comment.