Making Seed Tapes

Contrary to popular belief most seeds will germinate for several years. Now is the time to make seed tapes from those leftover seeds from this year's garden.

Cut 1 inch wide strips of newspaper. Dissolve several packages of unflavored gelatin in a small amount of boiling water and let cool to room temperature until it starts to thicken. Using a small paint brush, spread a coat of the gelatin on the newspaper strip.

For tiny seeds like lettuce and carrots, just sprinkle some of the seeds thinly on the strip. Let the completed strip dry thoroughly, mark with the date and type of seeds, roll up loosely, and store in a cool dry place.

For larger seeds like beans, just apply some of the gelatin mixture however many inches the recommended plant spacing for the seeds are. Paint another coat of the gelatin over the seed, again let dry thoroughly, mark, and store in a cool dry place.

Come planting time, just gently unroll your seed tape, water thoroughly, cover with the recommended depth of soil and water again. The single layer of newspaper will hold moisture to help with germination and break down allowing your seeds to root and grow.

By slee15 from AL