DIY: How to make budget-friendly seed tape for your garden
What's the story
Gardening is a tranquil pastime, and growing your own vegetables guarantees fresh produce just steps away from your kitchen. However, sowing seeds directly into the garden can be tricky due to spacing difficulties and potential seed wastage. A DIY seed tape is a convenient, economical solution that streamlines the planting process. It provides a way to space seeds evenly and keep them safe until they sprout.
Preparation
Easy-to-make seed tape at home
To get started with your seed tape, you only need a few household items: toilet paper, flour, water, and the seeds you want to plant. Mix one part flour with three parts water to make a paste. This paste will serve as the glue for your seeds on the toilet paper. Cut the toilet paper into strips about two inches wide and as long as you need.
Seeding
Applying seeds with precision
Using a toothpick or small brush, apply small dots of the flour paste onto the toilet paper strip at the spacing recommended for your specific seeds. Place a seed on each dot of paste. This technique not only conserves seeds by avoiding over-planting, but it also guarantees that each plant has sufficient room to grow without competition.
Preservation
Drying and storing your seed tapes
After seeding, allow the strips to dry in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. This can take up to 24 hours, depending on humidity levels. Once dry, gently roll up each strip and place them in an envelope or plastic bag for storage. Label it with the type of seed and planting instructions for future reference.
Planting
Planting your DIY seed tape
When you are ready to plant, just unroll your DIY seed tapes onto the prepared soil in your garden bed or pots. Cover them lightly with soil as per the seed's planting instructions—typically around one-fourth inch for most vegetable and flower seeds—and water them gently. The toilet paper will naturally decompose in the soil, leaving your seeds at the perfect spacing.
Savings
Cost savings analysis
Creating your own seed tapes is a cost-effective solution, eliminating the need to purchase expensive store-bought ones ranging from $5-$10 per pack. By using simple toilet paper ($1 per roll), flour ($2 for a 5lb bag), and seeds, gardeners can prevent unnecessary seed waste and maintain optimal spacing, fostering healthier growth and saving money over time.