If you are an avid gardener then you have probably heard of seed tape. If you’re a novice gardener, then you might not have run into this handy, dandy, little helper yet. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and I have nothing but good things to say about it. In fact, I use it so often, I’ve learned how to make it at home with this seed tape DIY instead of spending money purchasing it.
What is seed tape exactly?
Seed tape is essentially tape that comes in a package with seeds in it. You can also find just the tape itself so you can add seeds to it. It’s fairly easy to buy if you want to buy it {HERE}. It’s most often sold with carrots seeds already seeded because the seeds themselves are so small. You can see that {HERE} for carrots, {HERE} for green onions and {HERE} for lettuce.
Why I do need it?
Seed tape helps seed stay in place for a little bit so their roots can get established. It can also help you to plant in a straight line and space your seeds evenly. My biggest issue is that our property can be very wet. Even planting in our raised garden beds {HERE}, I’m often worried that my seeds will wash away. Or at the very least, wander to a different part of the bed. It’s a very common issue with smaller seeds. I also do not want to start root vegetables and then need to replant them. Root vegetables in particular do not like having the roots messed with. Starting them with seed tape is a better option for them.
Seed tape DIY
I never seem to have seed tape at my fingertips when I need it. And, it’s something that I use throughout the year for subsequent plantings of things like lettuces, cabbages, beets, radishes and more. Basically, anything I plant from a seed in my garden uses seed tape. I have also planted larger things like sunflowers and loofah with it too. Although, those are also fine to just plant directly.
So, I make my own seed tape from cheap toilet paper, water and flour. It’s ridiculously simple to make. And, I can make it in January, February and March and then be ready to go once my beds are ready.
Supplies for seed tape DIY.
- 2 ply toilet paper – The cheaper the better. Don’t use the kind with extra moisturizers. You don’t want whatever that is going into your dirt for your vegetables. I have found the eco friendly toilet papers are not only the best because they are the most natural, but generally they are also the cheapest too.
- Ever Spring is the brand I like best.(This is not sponsored.) It is 2-ply, septic safe, FSC certified and has no artificial dyes or fragrances. It is available at Target.
- About three tablespoons of flour mixed with two tablespoons of water. You want the mix to have a texture similar to pancake batter.
- A toothpick or a Q-tip for applying the “glue”.
- Seeds of choice.
Here’s how to make DIY seed tape
- Ripe the toilet paper to the size of your garden bed. I rip mine to about 4 feet long. My beds are 4×4 and 4×8. I like the shorter pieces because I can use them multiple directions in my 4×8 beds.
- Pull the plys apart from one another. If you’re having trouble doing this you don’t have to. The seeds will grow through 2-ply. However, having a true 1-ply seed tape is best for them and allows their roots to grow easily.
- With your toothpick, add a dot of glue every few inches. The space between each dot should be based on what kind of seed you’re planting. Planting carrots? About two inches apart will work. Planting lettuce? You want to give them about five inches apart. Cabbage? Ten inches a apart to allow for them to spread.
- Add one seed to each dot of “glue”.
- Once all your seeds are on, go back and add subsequent dots of glue to the paper in between your seeds and in the middle of the toilet paper. This helps it stay together.
- Fold one side onto the other side and then press down.
- Lay flat to dry on the counter. Avoid putting it on wood.
Planting seed tape
Once the seed tape is dry you can plant it right in the garden. Dig a trench an inch to an inch-and-a-half down. Lay the seed tape in the trench and cover with dirt. I like to leave the ends sticking out so I know where I put my seed tape. Although, if you get a lot of rain those will disintegrate fairly quickly.
Storing seed tape
If you want to make seed tape ahead of time you can store it fairly easily. Once it’s dry roll it up and use a paperclip to secure it. Make sure you add a label to it somehow so you know what seeds are inside.
Looking for more garden posts?
If you love gardening, check out some of these posts too.
- Tips for Growing a Food Forest {HERE}
- No Till Gardening to build garden soil {HERE}
- Tips for growing tomatoes from seeds {HERE}
- Planting a native wildflower field {HERE}
- 12 cut and come again flowers {HERE}
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Thanks so much for visiting today, friends! I hope you enjoyed this post on DIY seed tape. I would love to know if you decide to make seed tape. I hope you will visit us again here at the farmhouse. Happy growing!
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