Home Made Seed Mat

Now that we have a garden bed, spreading seeds and thinning seedlings can take a toll on our backs.

All praise be to Allah SWT here is an effective and efficient method to make your own seed mat by Annie's Kitchen Garden.

Step 1:
Start with a cheap paper napkin. Test it to make sure it will disintegrate quickly in the garden. Wet a corner and see if it easily tears with your fingers....if it does, you're good to go.

Step 2:
Use a Sharpie pen to make dots at the proper distances. Be sure to protect your work surface, as the ink will bleed through. I also write the name of the seed on the napkin at this time, which helps when I'm planting several different varieties.

Step 3:
Sprinkle a few seeds out onto a plate (or the table) so they are spread out just a bit. Dampen a toothpick or the end of a pencil (just spit on it!) and pick up one seed at a time and touch it to a spot of glue. Try not to get the glue on the toothpick, spit works (releases) much better.

Step 4:
Lay out the seed mats to dry.

Step 5:
When the mats are dried, they can be stored until ready for use. To plant the seed mats, mix up a bucket of compost and vermiculite and head for the garden.

Step 6:
Prepare the seed bed and rake it smooth.

Step 7:
Four mats fit perfectly in the four foot wide bed.

Step 8:
Sprinkle a bit of the compost-vermiculite mixture over them to hold them in place.

Step 9:
Cover them completely, to a depth of about 1/4 inch...or just enough to cover all the mats so no paper shows.

Step 10:
Tamp it firmly with the rake. Then carefully water it.