Thought to be beneficial to one’s health, many garden related activities can, indeed, be quite strenuous. Not only do movements such as bending, stooping, and picking up heavy objects make gardening difficult for some growers, but tasks related to fine motor control may also be a source of frustration for many. The task of planting small seeds, for instance, may feel daunting to some. Luckily, the use of gardening seed tape can help gardeners sow seeds easily and precisely within vegetable planting beds. How does seed tape work? Read on to learn more.
What is Seed Tape?
Most commonly, seed tape is a very thin piece of paper in which seeds have been adhered. Generally, each seed will be applied at a proper spacing and planting distance. This makes it very easy for gardeners to grow certain types of crops, specifically those which have very small and difficult to handle seeds. The use of seed tape allows for quick and efficient planting in the home garden.
How to Use Seed Tape
Planting with seed tape is very similar to planting regularly packaged seeds. First, growers will need to prepare a well-amended and weed free garden bed. Plant the seed tape according to the package. In most cases, this will mean laying down the seed tape in a straight line and gently covering it with soil. The tape must be covered as a means to avoid disturbance from unexpected weather conditions or interference from wildlife. After it has been planted, water the planting area thoroughly and wait for the seeds to germinate, usually occurring within a week or so.
Additional Seed Tape Information
While there are many positives, such as ease of planting and row spacing, to consider when using seed tape in the garden, there are also some negatives that one may need to take into account. Due to the nature of seed tape, growers will often have much less choice in terms of which varieties of crops they are able to grow. Additionally, the cost of purchasing seed tape is much greater than the cost of purchasing traditional seed packets. Luckily, for gardeners on a budget, there are various methods which can be implemented to create their own seed tapes. While the process may be somewhat time consuming, doing so allows for growers to choose exactly which varieties of plants they would like to grow, as well as save money.