Nespresso is helping new generations grow
We recently announced our partnership with Nespresso New Zealand.
“We are delighted to work together with Nespresso on shared goals to empower tamariki to grow, harvest, prepare and share environmentally sustainable and delicious kai.”
Ani Brunet, CEO
Like us, Nespresso is passionate about positively impacting local communities - and this partnership will enable new generations to grow, harvest, prepare, and share great food, through the Garden to Table programme.
This partnership will enable us to extend our regional support to schools in new areas across the motu, and develop innovative resources and training, continuing to make a positive impact on tamariki and their communities.
Together, we’re helping new generations grow and thrive.
To celebrate sowing the seeds of this new partnership, we are sharing a favourite Garden to Table activity. This fun seed tape resource also doubles as a lesson in measurement - making seed tape!
Seed Tape Activity
Seed tape is simply long strips of biodegradable paper that have seeds at the right spacing for them to grow. By holding the moisture around the seeds as they germinate, seed tape avoids any unnecessary thinning of seeds, and ensures that tiny seeds - which are often difficult to sow evenly, can thrive. This works well for carrots, onions, radishes, lettuce, and swedes.
Materials:
Paper towels
Small seeds like carrot, lettuce or radish
Flour and water
Paint brush
Cardboard or paper for labels
String
Scissors
Ruler
Method:
Measure and cut a paper towel to 1 metre in length. Then, cut it in half long-ways.
Mix equal parts of plain flour and water together in a small bowl, until it makes a sticky paste. Make sure it is not overly thick - it should be liquidy, but not drip off the end of a paintbrush.
Use a paintbrush to put dollops of paste along the paper towel. The distance between each dollop will differ depending on what seeds you are planting, but as a standard rule, 10cm apart works well.
Get two seeds and carefully place them in each dollop of flour paste. Fold the paper towel in half length-ways to cover the seeds. The paste should hold it together.
Leave flat and allow the paste to dry.
Roll the finished seed tape up and tie together with a length of string.
Make a label with the name of the seeds inside from scrap paper or cardboard.
Store in a container in a cool location until you’re ready to use. When you’re ready to plant, cover the seed tape lightly in soil in your garden bed.
Ngā mihi to Nellie for making this seed tape!