Hello! At this point it makes no difference complaining about the weather, and about how cruel good old Mother Nature is. We have no choice in the matter. Weather just happens!

I know, I know, things could be a lot worse, you might say. But, conversely, on the other hand, things could be a whole lot better. After all, not all parts of the country are suffering at the hands of a sadistic Mother Nature! What ever happened to that global warming anyway? This weather only makes it easier for us to stay inside our cabins, and continue to burn up with cabin fever!

Well – today let’s direct some of that feverish heat toward our spring seeds. And yes, some of those brandy-new seed racks are starting to appear at a store near you. For the past few weeks now we’ve been talking spring seeds - small spring seeds – small spring seeds that are next to impossible to seed and to space properly. And we talked about a really neat invention – pelletized seed.

This is taking a tiny seed and encasing it in a clay coating, improving the shape, the size, and the uniformity of small seeds. As the pellets absorb moisture from either the soil or from direct watering, they split open and allow the captive seeds to breathe and to start growing.

This pellet coating is made up of inert materials and plain old clay. And some seed companies are even offering organically certified pellet seeds that have been approved by the NOFA people – the organic people. Some companies even off pellet seed that is “primed”. The pellets not only split open on contact with moisture, but they also have been specially treated to increase the temperature range and speed of germination.

I have never seen pelletized seed available locally. But those mail order seed companies, Fedco, Johnny’s, Harris, and Stokes, do offer these pelletized seeds. Keep in mind, these pellet seeds do cost a bit more, but I think that you would agree that convenience outweighs the cost.

Another garden seed convenience to consider is seed planting tapes. Simply unroll the seed tape and provide the proper soil coverage. Water, and the seeds begin to germinate, and the tape material biodegrades. The seed is already spaced properly, so you don’t have to worry about spacing tiny seeds yourself.

But seed tape is relative expensive. Does convenience outweigh the cost? Hmmmm . . . . maybe. But, you know, you can make your very own seed tape at a fraction of the cost! Yes, you heard me – you can make your own seed tapes.

For this project you are going to need:

• Your packet of seeds

• Tweezers

• Flour and water to make a librarian’s glue

• Toilet paper – unused – of course!

Don’t laugh – Come on now – follow me here!
1. You are going to unroll the toilet paper some 3 or 4 feet on a table.
2. Now you are going to use your tweezers to take one of the tiny seeds, dip it into the flour and water glue.
3. Place each in the middle of the first toilet paper section.
4. You are going to place each subsequent seed in a line down the middle of the 3 or 4 foot stretch of toilet paper.
5. Space each of these seeds with the correct spacing.
 (Carrot seeds are usually spaced 1 – 2 inches apart.)
6. Now give your toilet paper seed tape some time to dry.
7. Then fold the unused edges over toward the center where the seeds are.
8. Roll up your 3-4 foot section of seed tape
9. Safely tuck it aside until it’s planting time.
10. At planting time, unroll the homemade seed tape onto your prepared seed bed.
11. Cover the seed tape with the right amount of soil cover.
12. Watch them grow!

Viola! The seeds will start to germinate; they will grow at the proper spacing; and the toilet paper tape will break down in the soil. And no one will know what you used to make your gardening chores easier!

So, yes, toilet paper seed tape – if it’s safe enough for your septic tank, then it’s safe for your garden. Toilet paper is designed to biodegrade. And no, that toilet paper doesn’t have to be squeezably soft. And it doesn’t have to be quilted or double ply. As a matter of fact, it’s probably better to use just plain old single ply toilet paper, unused, fresh from the roll.

You know, making your own toilet paper seed tapes may not be all that weird or wacky. Just consider the weather – weird and wacky! So stay inside where it’s nice and warm and cozy, and unfurl your rolls. Sure beats basket weaving! Be the first one on your block to make your very own seed tapes. Try it – you’ll like it!

Remember – Eat Smart New York!

And – Bye – Talk to you soon!
D