Planting Small Seeds Made Easy

Carrots, lettuce, begonia and other small seeds can be difficult to plant at the proper spacing. Reduce wasting seeds and time spent thinning.

Mix seeds with sand, vermiculite, or other fine material to separate the seeds for proper spacing. Sprinkle the sand and seed mix in a shallow furrow, cover with soil, gently tamp, and water.

Purchase pelletized seeds that are coated, making them larger and easy to handle.

Try seed tapes available from garden centers and catalogs. The seeds are glued to a tape that you roll out and plant. Or make your own. Cut newspaper or paper towels in strips. Next combine about 1 cup of flour or cornstarch with about 1/4 cup of water. Dab this seed-glue on the paper at the proper spacing for the seeds you select. Place the seeds on the flour glue and allow to dry. Once the strip is planted the glue will dissolve, the paper decomposes and the seeds will sprout at the proper spacing.

A bit more information: Purchase or create your own seeders. Some seed companies sell seeders designed to help you plant seeds of all sizes. Or use a salt shaker to evenly distribute small seeds. You can also use a manilla folder to plant small seeds. Place seeds in the folder and gently shake the seeds onto the soil. Or remove a section of the folder and tape to an electric razor. Turn on the razor and vibrate the seeds off the cardboard and onto the soil.