Materials & Tools

Styrofoam pizza base
Pencil with eraser

Adhesive tape

Scissors

Step 1

Click the image to the right to open a .pdf file of the template. Print out a copy.

Step 2

Cut around the outer rectangle, then tape the paper template to the foam pizza base.

Step 3

With the point of the pencil, make a hole in the foam at each point of the grid.

Step 4

Cut the foam around the outer edge of the paper template.

Step 5

This is the end of the pencil with the remains of the eraser removed from the metal ferrule making an ideal hole punch.

Step 6

Align the pencil over one of the marked positions, and twist it into the foam to make a larger hole.

Step 7

The metal ferrule removes a plug of foam, leaving a neat hole.

Step 8

Continue around the rest of the marked positions to complete the template.

Step 1

Fill a half-tray with finely sieved compost and firm it down using a Compost Press.

Step 2

Place the template on top of the compost.

Step 3

Push the point of a pencil through each of the holes in turn - a gentle twist seems to work well.

Step 4

Remove the template, to reveal a neat grid of holes.

Step 5

Sow one seed per hole, and pinch the compost closed around the seed.

Step 6

Gently spray with water so as not to wash the seeds around - I use an old shower cleaner bottle. Add a propagator cover if required.