Make Seed Tape Rolls for Spring | Winter Gardening Project
Ready for spring? Here’s a fun winter gardening project. Using newspaper and homemade paste, you can make your own seed tape rolls for spring planting.
Seed packets are beginning to show up in garden centers and home improvement stores. Although planting season is still months away, you can get a jump start on planning your garden by making your own seed tape rolls for spring planting. Making homemade seed tape rolls is a fun and easy winter gardening project, and they also make great gifts for gardeners with arthritis or dexterity problems.
Get a head start now on spring planting. Photo Credit : Dreamstime
HOW TO MAKE SEED TAPE ROLLS FOR SPRING
Make Seed Tape Rolls | Supplies
Newspaper
Seed Packets
Scissors
Ruler
Marker
Small, clean (preferably new) paint brush or toothbrush
1. Prepare a “seed glue” by mixing flour and water. Begin by using a tablespoon of flour and stirring in two tablespoons of lukewarm water. A medium texture (not too thick and not too soupy) is preferred. The seed glue consistency should be similar to papier mâché paste. Add more water and flour as needed.
2. Cut newspaper pages into strips about 2-3 inches wide.
3. Label the end of each strip with the type of seed and planting depth instructions.
4. Read the seed packet for seed spacing directions and use a ruler and marker to mark the newspaper at the recommended space intervals.
5. Spread the seed glue along the strips of newspaper with a small brush. The glue should be thin enough that the spacing marks on the newspaper strips remain visible.
6. Add seeds to the glue on the newspaper strips at the marked intervals and allow the newspaper to dry completely. 24 hours is usually adequate.
7. When the strips are completely dry, roll the strips up, label them again on the outside, and secure the roll with a small rubber band, twine or paper clip.
8. Place the seed rolls in a mason jar in a cool, dark place until planting season.
Will you be making seed tape rolls this season?
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
Shelley (Fleming) Wigglesworth is an award-winning freelance journalist from Maine and a certified Maine Master Gardener who writes gardening articles on a regular basis for NewEngland.com. Her work can be found in the following publications: The Village Magazine, York County Coast Star, Yankee Magazine (online), National Fisherman Magazine, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Maine Lobstermen's Association's "Landings."
