How to Make Your Own Lettuce Seed Tape

Lettuce grows quickly and produces edible leaves in early spring. However, its tiny seeds often pose a challenge when planting. Making a seed tape for lettuce seeds eliminates the need to fuss with tiny seeds at planting time and ensures that they are evenly spaced for planting. These do-ahead seed strips can be made in the midst of winter and saved for planting time in the spring.

Newspapers
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
White glue

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 2- to 4-inch-wide strip of newspaper or paper towels. Lengths of at least 12 inches are recommended, but it depends on your individual needs. The length of the strip determines the length of the finished seed tape -- if you prefer a longer seed tape, glue or tape several strips together.
- 2
  Spread the strip of newspaper on a table or other solid work surface. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
- 3
  Mark the tape at 1-inch intervals with a pen or pencil. Center the mark between the outer edges of the strip so they run down the middle of the strip.
- 4
  Place a drop of white glue on each marked area. The glue holds the seeds in place until planting time. White glue is water-soluble and dissolves in wet planting conditions.
- 5
  Position one lettuce seed in each drop or glue. Allow the seed tape to dry completely. Drying time depends on the amount of glue you have used.
- 6
  Place the seed tape -- with the seeds facing upward -- the top of the soil in a prepared garden bed. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil and firm it down with your hands.
- 7
  Water to moisten the seed tape and the surrounding soil. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge in seven to 10 days. Reduce watering to once a week once seedlings are established.

How to Harvest Onion Leaves

How to Grow a Beet in Water Without Seeds

Growing Vegetables