Seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Some are wonderfully large and easy to plant, like peas and sunflowers, but planting a row of radishes, lettuce or onions often requires the dexterity and vision of someone much younger than I am. That’s where seed tape comes in, helping you to easily lay down a row of your favourite crop without having to worry about placing or teasing out tiny seeds. And best of all, you can make your own.

Biodegradable “tape,” seed tapes are basically just a paper roll with seeds embedded in them at set intervals, usually the recommended spacing for a particular seed. You simply lay the tape down and cover it to the recommended depth for that seed, and you’re done. The non-toxic paper will break down and the seeds will be protected from being washed away and even retain a little extra moisture because of the tape, which will aid in germination. Seed tapes, like pelleted seeds, are one way that seed suppliers have tried to make it easier to quickly sow quick crops and even flowers. The downside—and it’s not that big of a downside—is that seed tapes aren’t always an option for your favorite varieties and the spacing is preset. So if you’re a crowdscaper like me, the spacing between seed tapes might be too wide for your taste.

The most common seed tapes are for radishes, lettuce, onions, carrots, beets, and other tender greens. Most seed houses offer at least a few seed tape options, but this season the best sellers I’ve found are Park Seed, Gurney’s, and Territorial Seed, which has expanded to include seed mats for herbs and flowers. Mats work the same way, they just cover a larger area and allow you to lay out a very small patch of garden without having to think about it too much.

Organic Tricolor Romaine Blend Seed Tape $7.95