Seed tapes are easy, practical and quick to use. Simply place the tape on the ground (in open soil or in a planter), cover with soil and water. It's perfect for gardeners looking to save time and effort. If you'd like to learn more, check out our advice sheet: How to sow seed tapes? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, you can also save money by making them yourself! Follow our step-by-step tutorial to create seed tapes, using organic or non-organic seeds.

Why make seed tapes?

Seed tapes are quick and simple to use. They also ensure the correct spacing between each seed. No more thinning out rows, saving you time and seeds. Say goodbye to thinning carrot seedlings after sowing!

Seed tapes also prevent birds from stealing seeds or rain scattering them. This keeps your vegetable rows neat and straight in the kitchen garden.

The seeds naturally retain their germination properties, and the paper decomposes in the soil.

You can even prepare your seed tapes when rain or cold weather keeps you from gardening. This saves time on sowing and, consequently, harvesting.

Which seeds to choose?

You can create tapes with vegetable seeds: carrot seeds, salad leaves (lettuce, chicory, rocket...), leeks, turnips, onions, lamb's lettuce, spinach, beetroot, cabbages, turnips, fennel, herbs (basil, coriander, parsley, chives...) or simply annual or biennial flowers. You can also mix things up, for example by alternating carrot and radish seeds.

You can also place several lettuce varieties on the same tape or space them closer together for a mixed salad of young shoots. Why not even add some marigold seeds!

Note that this method is more challenging with large seeds like peas, broad beans, and runner beans, and isn't suitable for seeds not typically sown in rows, such as tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes.

When to prepare seed tapes?

You can make seed tapes year-round, but it's a perfect activity for winter days when there's little to do in the garden while waiting for spring. Remember to store your seed tapes in a dry place, away from heat and light.

How to make seed tapes?

What do I need?

  • 1 roll of toilet paper or kitchen towel
  • 1 ruler
  • 1 pencil
  • 1 water spray bottle
  • vegetable or ornamental seeds

Steps to make a seed tape:

1- Unroll your toilet paper flat.

2- Using a ruler and pen, mark the placement of each seed in the middle of the toilet paper. In this example, dots were made every 3cm for carrot seeds.

3- Moisten the toilet paper with a water spray.

4- Place the seeds on the marks.

5- Fold both sides of the toilet paper over the seeds and pat down.

6- Leave to dry.

Your seed tape is ready to use... Making carrot sowing child's play!

Ingrid's tip: If, like me, you prepare your tapes in winter, don't forget to write the seed names on the tape.

What next?

No need to dig a furrow—simply place the tapes in the desired spot on weed-free, stone-free soil or compost in a planter (or pots) and water. Keep an eye out for slugs eating the seedlings. You can place a cloche or tunnel over them to encourage germination and protect young plants from cold or potential frosts in early cultivation. Then just harvest when the time comes.

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