Making a seed tape

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- If you're antsy to be gardening and you just can't stand it, you can scratch that itch with a late winter garden project. Make a seed tape.

What is a seed tape? It's a perfectly spaced, pre-made seed product. Why make a seed tape? Two reasons. It ensures proper spacing of the veggie seeds in the row, and teaches children about math facts.

Here's how: Unroll a toilet paper roll about 5 or 6 feet and lay the sheet on your kitchen table. Or cut newspapers into long strips. Next read the seed package for spacing instructions. For example, instructions for green beans might be to space seeds three inches apart in the row. . Place a drop of white glue every 3 inches down the lenght of the toilet paper sheet. Use a ruler to guide you. Then, place a seed on every drop of glue. Let the seed dry to the glue, and then roll it up.

You can make a seed tape for very small seeds as well, such as radish. This is helpful, because the common tendency is to overplant and crowd too many seeds in the row with smaller ones. When seeding time rolls around, all you have to do is take the edge of your hoe and make a furrow. The seed tape is all ready to be placed into the furrow and covered with soil. What could be easier?!!