[Jaye]

I was just trawling the Suttons Seeds site for ideas of seeds, and I noticed the Easy to Sow Seed Tapes and Mats. I know they are comparatively expensive to a packet of seeds but they might be good for a complete beginner like me.

Has anyone got any experience of mats / tapes and are they any good?

Jaye

[wildeone]

i did like the carrot ones i had last year nice evenly spaced carrots with no fuss!!!

[WG.]

I haven't tried them Jaye

[Bigbadfrankie]

I like the pelleted seeds but the tapes provide a good alternative

[gobs]

They are good as said on packet, but only tried once with a flower seed.

Two things here:

1 - what are they coated with, unless seaweed, or other harmless as such, you want to think twice

2 - sowing seed is not a tricky action, might consider saving the pennies

[Jaye]

Hubby said they sounded like a daft idea and if I was going to grow stuff I shold learn how to do it properly....

Then again his dad is a keen veggie grower so he knows the ropes

Jaye

[noshed]

Men can be a bit annoying. If you want to try them - give it a go.

[sweet nasturtium]

Jaye, there's no harm in trying them for one crop.

[loubylou29]

I bought some in the Wyvale 50p extravaganza last year,
I bought parsnips and carrots on tapes. i know they are dearer but I felt I wanted to know where the * are meant to come up!

I did try WG's tip of putting a radish in the ground.. I Just got a line of radish, no parsnips at all.. so I will try this this time!!

[WG.]

I did try WG's tip of putting a radish in the ground.. I Just got a line of radish, no parsnips at all.. so I will try this this time!!

You did plant parsnip seed too though, I hope!    

 :idea: I'll put the tip in the parsnip thread to see if others have more luck with it.

[wellingtons]

... and they were really good, germination rates were very high.

They are more expensive for sure, but you do have the advantage of having things evenly spaced out, making them easier to prick out.  And in the case of things like herbs, if you decide to grow them on in pots for the windowsill, they make lovely chubby healthy little herb pots.

I think when you're just starting out you have an awful lot to learn and whilst sowing seed is actually terribly easy, if using the tapes or mats gives you that extra bit of confidence on your first go, then why not use them!  You'll be fine lovey, just do what you want.

[Jaye]

You have inspired me Wellingtons! Thank you!

Jaye

[Jaye]

Good point Gobs re the coating - i will look into that (meant to type that last night!)

Jaye

[DD.]

Men can be a bit annoying. If you want to try them - give it a go.

Think I took that post in the wrong context, especially when followed by..

Jaye, there's no harm in trying them for one crop.

[Green man]

Hi all I used the tapes last year and found them very easy to use for me, I only wish a few more wre like them as I have trouble with my hands so any thing that make it a little easier I would love to know about.
Greenman