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I used to think it was my French heritage that brought me to gardening: there is something about the order of a row of marigolds (or any other annual) that brings out my Gallic sensibilities. The problem with direct seeding in the ground is that it is really hard to bring that kind of discipline to the plant world. But you can do it with seed tape. Here’s how to make some:

Ingredients:

• Toilet paper - the cheaper the better
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Seeds
• Powdered milk - optional

Tools:

• Small saucepan
• Spoon to stir
• Spreader or a plastic bag
• Jar with tight-fitting lid — optional

Make some cornstarch paste:

1. Put about a cup of water and a tablespoon of cornstarch in the saucepan. Heat it gently until it thickens to paste-like consistency and is smooth. If you have a small wire whisk, it is excellent for this.
2. Let it cool. You can either use directly from the sauce pan, or you can put it into a plastic bag, cut a hole in the corner and use like a pastry bag.

Make the seed tape:

(Click the image above for a larger version of the diagram)

1. Unspool about 3 feet of toilet paper and crease it down the center length-wise (1).
2. On one half of the TP, note where the center is and spread a long row of the paste (2) or alternately, you could put dabs of paste from the plastic bag wherever you plan to put a seed.
3. Place your seeds (3) carefully on the paste. Remember, this is about order and control! (That is, if you are a control freak like me…) Leave some space along the bottom edge of the TP (4).
4. Fold-down the top half of the TP.

If your neighborhood is ready for outdoor seed sowing, you can take this into the garden immediately and plant following the depth instructions on the back of your seed package. If direct-sowing time is still a few weeks away, roll up your seed tape and put it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Tip: put a teaspoon of powdered milk in the bottom of the jar to absorb any moisture that might make your seeds sprout. This is a great tip for any seeds you want to save from year to year, by the way.

Kevin : DIY Projects, Reinventing X
February 4th, 2007