Easy planting with Seed Tape

The Grow Up team

Get started right away with this super easy way of sowing vegetables

When you first start planting vegetables to grow in your garden, it can be really daunting. Not only do you have to decide which type of vegetable to plant, but then you need to figure out where to plant them, and then how to evenly space out the seeds. So, is there a quick shortcut for easy seed planting?

Yes! There’s a super easy solution we love: Seed Tape! It’s a brilliant growth hack that really makes your life easier. We’re all pretty time poor, so learning simple tools and tips to get you started easily can make all the difference. After all, we want you to really enjoy growing your own fruit and veg.

So, what exactly is Seed Tape?

Seed Tape is a long strip of paper that has seeds glued or embedded into it. The tape is planted in the ground, and as the seedlings grow, they are naturally thinned out so that only the strongest seedlings remain.

This makes for a neater, more organised garden because there is no need to thin out seedlings by hand.

Seed tape eliminates the need to space out seeds when planting, and as a result thin out seedlings by hand. The distance between seeds is predetermined on the tape so you get a neater, more organised garden. It’s a real game changer, and its’ an easy way for kids to get involved.

Another benefit is that it helps to keep the seeds moist, which is helpful if you’re planting in dry or sandy soil.

Seed tape is totally affordable and can be found at most hardware or gardening stores.

How to plant with Seed Tape:

Choose your spot location, and rake the soil. Somewhere sunny helps!

Unroll your seed tape and lay it on top of the soil.

Gently cover the seed tape with soil, and be careful not to bury the seeds too deep. Water lightly.

Keep the area moist until the seeds germinate and begin to sprout. Once they have sprouted, you can water as normal.

Sit back, water and watch your bumper crop grow!

Troubleshooting with Seed Tape

If you’re having trouble planting with seed tape, there are a few things that might be causing the problem.

Firstly, make sure that you’re using fresh seed tape. Old or dried out seed tape can be difficult to work with and may not germinate properly.

Second, be sure to plant the seed tape in moist soil. Seed tape needs moisture to germinate, so if the soil is too dry, it may not work as well.

Finally, make sure that you’re planting the seed tape at the correct depth. If it’s planted too deep, then the seeds may not have enough light to germinate and if it’s planted too shallow, they may not have enough moisture.

Lynne’s Top Tips:

Carrots: I’ve had great success planting carrots using seed tape. Carrots planted too close together can grow all crooked, but seed tape stops this. I love Suttons carrot seed tape. There’s a mix of varieties within the tape, so you can just sow once and enjoy succession harvesting for up to 24 weeks. LINK

For another simple growing option, I also love using Marshalls gem lettuce seed tape. This is a disease resistant leaf variety that makes great salads!

Seed tape is a great way to start your gardening journey, as well as being cost-effective and sustainable. Planting seeds should be simple, fun and stress free!

This is a really easy way for beginner gardeners to get started, and with a bit of time and patience, you’ll be able to harvest all that lovely home grown food. Let us know how you get on in the comments below!