How to Make Homemade Garden Seed Strips for Planting
Seed strips ease the work of planting, especially with small, hard-to-plant seeds. The seeds are affixed to biodegradable paper strips that are laid in the garden bed. This saves you the time of individually placing each seed. Since the seeds are placed on the strips at the proper spacing, you also know your germinating seedlings won't crowd each other. Make seed tape for your own garden or as a gift for a garden-loving friend. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Cut a 3-inch wide strip from thin paper, such as blank newspaper or undyed typing paper. A 12-inch strip is adaptable to most planting locations, but you can make the strip as long as desired.
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Check the back of the seed packet for the seed spacing requirements. Dot the strip with a pencil at the intervals indicated for seed spacing. For example, if the seed variety requires 1-inch spacing when planted, space the dots 1 inch apart down the strip’s length.
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Place a drop of white school glue on each dot. Press a seed onto the dot of glue to adhere it to the strip.
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Allow the glue to dry completely, securing the seed to the strip.
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Fold the seed strips and store them in a sealed plastic bag in a cool area until ready to plant. The seeds remain viability for 2 years or longer with proper storage.
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Tips & Warnings
Make your own natural glue for adhering the strips by mixing equal parts flour and water.
Plant the strips in the garden by laying them along the planting row. Cover them with soil to the depth specified on the seed packet. The seeds germinate if you follow the care instructions on the seed packet for the specific plant variety.
