DIY SEED TAPE
We managed to find a little time this weekend to make our own seed tape. My four-year-old walked into the office to find me with flour paste, a paint brush, and dozens of strips of newspaper. He was instantly intrigued. He ran to get his own brush and we got started.
The intent of seed tape as I’ve seen it is to make planting easier when you have teeny tiny seeds that need to be planted just inches apart (like carrots and radishes). But it’s also fun for gifting flower seeds or giving away seeds you’ve collected from your own garden. And it’s a pretty simple and very kid-friendly project.
Here’s what you’ll need:
-1/4 cup flour + enough water to make a paste
-strips of paper to make the tape: black and white newspaper (no colored ink), single-ply toilet paper, and a thin paper bag all work
-something for dabbing on drops of the paste, like the back of a paint brush
-and seeds!
Making the paste is simple. Start with the flour and mix in water until you have the consistency of a paste. A quarter cup of flour will go a really, really long way.
Check the planting recommendations for your type of seed. Dab the paste onto your strips of paper as far apart as you would plant the seeds. Drop the seeds onto the paste. Drop the same number you would if you were planting. That’s it. Just wait for the paste to dry completely (a couple hours will do) and you’re ready to roll up your tape. Store it in an air-tight plastic bag and it is ready to go for next season. Most types of seeds are planted shallow enough that all you’ll need to do is lay the tape down and sprinkle a bit of dirt over it. Then it’s ready to be watered and to grow.
I also had to pretty mine up a bit. I found this tutorial for a newspaper flower, and since I was already slicing up newspaper anyway, it was perfect.
During this part my 6-year-old joined me and we made flowers side by side. She even made me a newspaper heart. Do you like it?
This particular package of seed tape is going for a special purpose, and if all goes according to plan, I’ll share it with you very soon.
Tags: care package gift ideas, DIY gifts by GiversLog, DIY gifts kids can make, DIY handmade gifts, DIY homemade wedding favors, gifts for gardeners, gifts for grandma, gifts for neighbors, gifts for teachers, gifts that are cheap or free, green gifts, housewarming and welcome gifts, inexpensive gift ideas, mailable gifts, party favor ideas, upcycled gifts, wedding favors
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
This is a really cool idea and a wonderful gift!!!!!!!!!!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
This is awesome – and they look so pretty! I can’t garden but I can definitely facilitate someone else’s gardening! Can’t wait to try this.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
This is a fantastic idea! Love it.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Oh, this is such a lovely idea! I can’t wait to hear what you’re doing with these.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Oh these are so cute. I just made seed packets for sunflower seeds, but seed tape! Now I need more seeds…what a great and fun idea!
September 6th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
amber, can you PLEEEASE stop being so cool? you’re killin’ me! i love this idea!!
September 8th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
[...] easier way to plant seeds Posted at September 8, 2009 [source] Starting seeds indoors takes lots of extra time and patience… especially for seeds that [...]
September 10th, 2009 at 7:02 am
A friend just lead me to your site…what a FANTASTIC idea! I used seed tape as a child when planting with my grandfather, but now as an adult it is much harder to find and when found they aren’t my preferred variety. Thanks for the idea and tutorial. Very cool!
September 13th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I have had this saved in my reader for awhile and am just now getting around to actually tell you how great I think this is. I can’t wait to give it ago. Genius, as usual.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
[...] in this tutorial I mentioned the seed tape was destined for a special purpose? I’m back to report. It [...]
September 25th, 2009 at 6:15 am
What a brilliant idea, I’m going to make some with the children and look forward to spring!
October 4th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Wow, this would make a wonderful gift, thanks for sharing!
October 4th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Great idea. Definitely a kid friendly project too. Thanks!
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
thanks for the great gift idea.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:23 am
What little containers did you find to package yours in? I’m squinting really hard, but can’t come up with any good ideas.
*squints*
It’s driving me nuts! lol
November 25th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Hi Eryn,
so funny. sorry about that! I buy a brand of cheese spread from the store that comes in little wedges inside a nice, circular box. I’ve finally learned never to throw away the boxes because those things are great for everything. I’ve even thrown candy and a card in them, wrapped the box up, and mailed it just like that at the post office. It was kind of fun sending a round package.
December 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
[...] neat idea – make homemade seed tape with your saved [...]
December 15th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
[...] Chocolate on a Stick Seed Ribbon A DIY Shadow Puppet Theater Share and [...]
December 29th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
[...] neat idea – make homemade seed tape with your saved [...]
February 12th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I found you last week, and have been planning on making this great idea as soon as possible. Today was perfect! I’ve made some today and will posting about it and linking to you on my blog. I hope you don’t mind.
Thank you for such a lovely,sweet, useful and do-able gift/craft for anyone of any age to make, and works for so many different holidays and just-because gifts :D
kudzu
February 15th, 2010 at 9:46 am
What a great idea and gift and your tutorial was perfect. I can’t wait to make some of these.
BrendaLea
April 12th, 2010 at 11:19 am
AWESOME! I have a very bad back and left hip. This will make my garden planting so very much easier. Thank you so much!
Marcelle C
April 12th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
[...] I found this site, giverslog.com, with all these gift ideas that look fantastic. For example, seed tape, hot chocolate on a stick, magic boxes, tissue [...]
April 13th, 2010 at 2:33 am
fantastic idea. it will make a really great gift.
thanks for the tutorial.
i set a link. i hope you’ll agree.
doro.
April 13th, 2010 at 7:18 am
wow – i just saw these in the garden catalog, and so the idea of making them myself is really a new concept. so glad i have this knowledge now! (hopefully i get some good seeds from my garden this year.)
April 13th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Oh!! What a stupendous idea! I know could green thumb birthdays coming up, so this is perfect! Thanks!
April 13th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Thanks for sharing this terrific idea! Every year I have loads of columbine seeds, and I’ve never known what to do with them, aside from tossing them around my own flowerbeds. I can’t wait to make the tape and start gifting!
April 13th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
[...] using newspaper strips and flour paste. The packaging is so pretty too! Head over to Giver’s Log for the [...]
April 20th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Wow-such a great idea. I’m bookmarking this for sure!
Jana
April 21st, 2010 at 10:20 am
[...] can read the full tutorial on Giver’s Log. Posted by windycityvegan Filed in gardening Tags: DIY, gardening tip, seed tape, you eediot! [...]
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
The wrapping on your seed tape is wonderful.
How did you wrap it?? I would love to make these and give as gifts.
thanks julie
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Hi Julie! Thanks for stopping by.
The seed tape is just wrapped in tissue paper. I started by putting the seed tape in leftover boxes from spreadable cheese I had. I just rolled it in a big piece of tissue paper and folded in the top and bottom, piece by piece. It took a couple times of practicing but it wasn’t too hard. I put a piece of newspaper through my sticker maker to make the center sticker. I hope this helps!!
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:45 am
Thank you for this fantastic idea! I’m looking forward to trying this out for my own garden and to give to all my friends who love gardening.
April 30th, 2010 at 8:39 am
This is sooo cool! What a great idea. What great presentation. As someone who would much rather make something herself, on the cheap, than buy something pre-made, I really appreciate inspiration like this. I can’t wait to do this myself for myself and as gifts! Thanks!
May 4th, 2010 at 11:55 am
I know, we want to know EVERY detail. This is just so cute. I’m trying to figure out what you have written on the strips around the outside of each circle. Is it the growing instructions? Did you type them up in a repeating manner?
SO cute! We’re doing this for Mother’s Day!
May 9th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
This is such an awesome idea, and it looks so snazzy packaged up. Thanks for sharing!
May 18th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
[...] kids can make 22. Handlebar flower. 23. Seed tape. 24. Fabric tissue case (found via OnePrettyThing). 25. Friendly felt-embellished paper clips. 26. [...]
June 3rd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Great idea. I’m wondering what seeds you could do this with? I will have to try it.
June 29th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Unbelievably great idea!
July 28th, 2010 at 9:19 am
[...] Maybe the gift basket could include something new from the past year. I started gardening, how about including some homemade seed tape? [...]