Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing a gel containing seeds for planting. A container (11) has a piston (13) driven by a lead screw (14) for expressing the gel through outlet (12). A line (17) is wound around a control rotor (16) and a free end is secured at a fixed location (19). As container (11) is moved away from location (19), line (17) unwinds and rotates rotor (16) to express the gel at a rate related to the movement of the container (11), so that the operator does not have to match the dispensing rate to the rate of movement. In other arrangements the container moves towards the fixed location, or between two fixed locations. Other metering members may replace the line. Materials other than seeds in gel may be dispensed.