Seed tape - good idea?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-04-2009, 06:05 PM

I noticed that McKenzie Seeds sell Seed Tape for a lot of their vegetables and herbs. The seed tape is 15 feet long, which would be just long enough for me to put it in to my 20x8 plot. I had debating dividing the seed tape in two sections and make two rows of the desired vegetables I want in that area (mainly onions, lettuce, etc.).

Would seed tape work as well as planting free seeds?

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2009, 06:08 PM

It should. It simplifies planting for tiny seeds and makes spacing easier. You can make your own seed tape, if you do a google search there are lots of sites that show you how.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-04-2009, 06:25 PM

Yeah my big problem with seeds is that I never know how to plant them correctly. I figure the seed tape will do most of the hard work for me and then I can handle the spacing and thinning of the plants.

**Durgan** · 05-04-2009, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

Would seed tape work as well as planting free seeds?

Seed tapes are a pain in the butt. The tapes break when handling, all necessary types are not available, they are expensive, and often the spacing is not ideal. Normally small seeds are planted almost on the surface, and larger seeds a bit deeper. Here is a better method than seed tapes, and you have control. Carrots is the example.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?Carrots 10 April 2009 Planting Carrots
Carrots were planted type is Hybrid Carrot Eagle 92A from Stokes. (Belicum X Nantes Hybrid). The small seeds are spread carefully on top of a row of toilet paper, then lightly covered with fine soil. The method is utilized to improve uniformity of seed spacing, insuring a uniform depth, and possibly better germination all things considered. Carrots germinate at rather cool temperatures about 17 C is ideal. If the temperature is too high carrots will not germinate or germination is slow.

**Gardengal18** · 05-04-2009, 09:23 PM

Big waste of money! Tried several types last year and nothing came up. If you have problems with spacing, get a ruler. Much cheaper than the cost of some of those seed tapes.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-04-2009, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by Durgan

Seed tapes are a pain in the butt. The tapes break when handling, all necessary types are not available, they are expensive, and often the spacing is not ideal. Normally small seeds are planted almost on the surface, and larger seeds a bit deeper. Here is a better method than seed tapes, and you have control. Carrots is the example.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?Carrots 10 April 2009 Planting Carrots
Carrots were planted type is Hybrid Carrot Eagle 92A from Stokes. (Belicum X Nantes Hybrid). The small seeds are spread carefully on top of a row of toilet paper, then lightly covered with fine soil. The method is utilized to improve uniformity of seed spacing, insuring a uniform depth, and possibly better germination all things considered. Carrots germinate at rather cool temperatures about 17 C is ideal. If the temperature is too high carrots will not germinate or germination is slow.

How many seeds do you put per spacing? My concern is if I put one seed per spacing requirement, that one seed may not germinate. If I put too many, I'll have too many plants in that one space and I'll end up thinning a lot.

I wouldn't be opposed to the toilet paper method at all.

**Durgan** · 05-05-2009, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

How many seeds do you put per spacing? My concern is if I put one seed per spacing requirement, that one seed may not germinate. If I put too many, I'll have too many plants in that one space and I'll end up thinning a lot.

I wouldn't be opposed to the toilet paper method at all.

Spacing is always an issue. Germination of seeds is usually very high if moisture and temperature is right. Small seeds are a hassle, and I usually plant about an inch apart for most things, and thinning, if necessary, is facilitated. In a small home garden one can afford to be a bit more fussy with planting. Just don't let the planted seeds bunch into as clump. I spread the seeds on a bowl and pinch a few with the fingers and try to keep the small seeds separate. None of those silly seed dispersal seeders work in my experience.

**nancycg56** · 05-05-2009, 07:42 AM

I used seed tapes this year for radishes and cukes and they are all coming up nicely and I have to thin them out only a little bit.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-05-2009, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Durgan

Spacing is always an issue. Germination of seeds is usually very high if moisture and temperature is right. Small seeds are a hassle, and I usually plant about an inch apart for most things, and thinning, if necessary, is facilitated. In a small home garden one can afford to be a bit more fussy with planting. Just don't let the planted seeds bunch into as clump. I spread the seeds on a bowl and pinch a few with the fingers and try to keep the small seeds separate. None of those silly seed dispersal seeders work in my experience.

Yeah I always get paranoid with whether the plants have enough water or if I'm giving them too much/little. I'll definitely have to try out the bowl technique with spreading the seeds apart so that I don't get too much in one spot.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-05-2009, 10:28 AM

I have never had luck with seed tapes. Maybe I did something wrong though...you never know with me!

**Persimmon Lace** · 05-05-2009, 10:54 AM

Seed tapes with carrots, radishes and beets have always worked for me and I love them. I get very good crops with it. I haven't great luck with the lettuce tape but then I don't have great luck with the seeds either. It's simply a personal preference and I also have stiffness in my hands so this makes it much easier to plant small seeds.