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You are here: Home / Resistance is fertile / Step-by-step: How to make seed balls

Step-by-step: How to make seed balls

January 31, 2011 by Andrea Bellamy 50 Comments

seed packets

I spent the morning making seed balls as a promo for Sugar Snaps and Strawberries. The plan is to give them out at various events as little vegetal thank yous. Because the book is all about edibles, I used veggie, herb, and edible flower seeds rather than my usual crimson clover/wildflower mix.

I chose cool-season edibles that can be sown in March and April, since that’s just after many of the events are being held. I also chose things that are relatively easy to grow, don’t require staking, and don’t need loose soil to thrive (since you don’t often cultivate the soil before tossing a seed ball): ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Russian Red’ kales, ‘Red Sails’ and ‘Esmeralda’ lettuces, ‘Sugar Loaf’ endive, arugula, ‘Kincho’ scallions, ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss chard, chives, dill, and edible flowers calendula and nasturtium.

combining the seeds

I mixed all the seeds together until I had about one cup’s worth. The recipe I follow uses “parts” so you can adapt it to your needs. This time around, I used one cup to equal one part.

Here’s that seed ball recipe:

5 parts dry red clay
3 parts dry organic compost
1 part seed
1 – 2 parts water

And here’s how it comes together:

Step one: add five parts soil

Step one: measure out three parts of dry compost or soil. This provides a growing medium for your seeds.

seeds-step2

Step two: measure out five parts of dry powdered clay. Once mixed with water, the clay will hold the seed balls together.

Redart clay

Step two continued… I use Red Art clay, which I get from a pottery supply store. It’s cheap, food safe, and feels great to work with.

Step 3: add one part seeds

Step three: Add one part seed. As you can see, I originally included pea seeds in the mix (‘Paladio’ peas; they grow just 18″/45cm tall), but ended up picking them out when I realized they were too large and would cause the seed balls to split when drying. Learn from me: stick to smaller seeds!

Step 4: combine

Step four: Add one to two parts water, and combine. You want the mixture to be moist, but not really wet. You can add water as you go. It’s not an exact science.

Step 5: roll into balls

Step five: Roll the seed ball mix into balls 1-2 in. (2.5-5cm) in diameter. Be prepared to get messy!

Step 6: set aside to dry

Step six: Set aside to dry (I use cookie sheets) for a few days before storing or using.

Seed balls are great for reclaiming derelict areas with thin or poor soil, making them ideal tools for guerrilla gardening. I find them especially useful for tossing into empty or neglected lots. Best thrown just before a rainy spell to ensure germination, I’ve found early spring to be the best time for seed ball success.

Enjoy!

Related posts:

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Filed Under: Resistance is fertile, Veggies & Edibles Tagged With: guerrilla gardening, popular, seed balls

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rebecca says

    February 1, 2011 at 5:30 am

    totally flagging these instructions. We live in a little urban neighborhood that is perfect for seed balls! We also just plant sunflower seeds wherever we find a little bit of soil, but this would be even more fun! thanks for sharing.

  2. Maria says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:04 am

    What a great idea for May Day gifts. ~M

  3. Leigh @LarrapinGarden says

    February 1, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Love this post! I’ve wanted to do seedballs with wildflowers for some fields and roadsides near here. Your directions are great.

  4. Georgia says

    February 1, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I have some sites in mind!

  5. meemsnyc says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    This is a great tutorial! I’ve never made these before, sounds like a cool idea.

  6. Kimberly says

    February 2, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    Hey, I love this post. Thanks for sharing your instructions. Also? I had put your book on my Amazon wishlist but won a copy through your publisher. I love it!

  7. Laura says

    February 7, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    I watched a fantastic video on how to make seed bombs by a group of Guerrilla Gardeners. Regardless of if they are for your own beds, or an urban landscape, they are a great way to get seeds to an awkward location. I totally want to make these! Thanks for the recipe!

  8. Denise Bruce of Ingleside says

    February 8, 2011 at 9:43 am

    I love, love, love this idea!! Must share it :)

    Love,
    Denise

  9. cindy says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:03 am

    Now this is a great idea, I need this for my neighbors lawn. Then the trail past our house could use a little free spirit.

  10. geordie milne says

    February 10, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I find the seedballs germinate because the balls are not drying fast enough.. whats a fast way to drying them? Ultra low temp in the oven?

  11. phyte club katie says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:22 am

    Awesome, thanks for the details. It’s funny, because I associate seedballs with radical gardeners trying to create something alternative and beautiful at anti-globalization protests (which they got arrested for, by the way!). Funny how people can spray carcinogenic pesticides and plant biodiversity-killing monocrops but planting seeds is decreed too subversive….!
    Sweet photos, too.

  12. annette says

    February 12, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I am featuring your blog today (Saturday Feb-12) as Blog of the Day on my site. I am an organic gardener in the Seattle area with a 7-year old son for an assistant. I’ll look for your book.

  13. margaret says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:44 am

    I can’t wait try these! Garden Bon Bons sells them online–makes a great gift in case you’re not up to making your own
    http://www.moultonology.com/fabulous-garden-fashion-accessories-and-gloves.html

  14. Dirty Girl Gardening says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:51 am

    these are so fun to make.. and throw at people when you are standing in a plantable area…

  15. Andrea Bellamy says

    February 19, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Thanks, everyone! Happy seed bombing.

    Geordie – I find the seeds start to germinate if the balls stay too wet too long. The best way to dry them is in the sun…which can be tough in a Vancouver winter!

  16. Georgia says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Read your profile in the most recent Sunset magazine.

  17. Heather at Dusty Bay says

    February 21, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    These look great – thanks for the tutorial. They would make fantastic gifts!

  18. Dani says

    February 28, 2011 at 7:51 am

    What a wonderful idea! I can not wait to try this. Great tutorial!

  19. Mama__B says

    March 11, 2011 at 8:41 am

    I’m looking forward to doing this with the kids this year. There’s a meadow at the end of our street that needs some colour. I’m going to get some indigenous wildflower seeds and we’re going to toss seed bombs everywhere!

  20. Diana Albers says

    March 13, 2011 at 9:03 am

    I am going to make these wonderful little balls with my 2 1/2 yr old grand-daughter, I want to get her to start early and learn how to garden and see how to start with a seed and watch the magic as it turns into a plant. Thank you so much for sharing!

  21. Handful says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Seed bombs!! As a former toilet paper terrorist (hey, at least it was organic) in my teen days I love the idea of bombing with these!

  22. Norm says

    March 18, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Could Thyme bombs be next?

  23. heleen says

    April 22, 2011 at 1:27 am

    That is fabulous!! I am surely going to try that with plants that will reproduce themselves (which is officially illegal, stupid law!). It makes a very nice statement – and presents to people and nature of course – and my girls will love to through these around in our garden (and elsewhere). Thanks you!

  24. Inger says

    May 6, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial. Lovely photos and descriptions. I’m a practicing herbalist in Vancouver, WA and have wanted to give herb and flower seeds to my customers to encourage gardening since it is a healthy habit. Best of luck w/ your book, too!

  25. Gail says

    May 10, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    Great directions and photos. I sell seed balls and materials online at http://www.seedsinaball.com in case you are interested!

  26. John McAdoo says

    October 26, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Well written! I learned how to make seed balls and also decided to write a blog about it but yours is very well written. They certainly are fun to make and grow! I experimented with basil and rosemary seeds and was pleasantly surprised. I hope you don’t mind if I do a link back:)

  27. ana says

    December 27, 2011 at 6:54 pm

    awfully wrong! these balls are too big!Imagine
    50 little plants strugling for space!

  28. Patrick says

    April 3, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Have you ever tried using old clay pots, broken up and ground to powder?

  29. Jeannette McCullough says

    April 26, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    URGENT REQUEST: Big event this weekend in Toronto, Canada.
    Making seed bombs with your recipe.
    THE BIG QUESTION: Can they be tossed when just made and clay is still wet, or do they need to be dried, then tossed to successfully sprout?
    Please advise.
    Many thanks!!!

  30. Molly Mathis says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    I work with a Foster Kids camp the 2nd week of July. Kids are age 7-11. What seeds would you suggest we use for a craft day that would have quick germination at that time of year?

  31. Andi says

    June 14, 2012 at 8:26 am

    I am planning to make these as favours to give away at my wedding! this recipe will be very helpful, one question how much does this recipe make?

    -Andi

  32. Andrea Bellamy says

    June 14, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    Hi Andi,

    This recipe probably makes about 100 seedbombs.

    Congrats on your wedding!

    Andrea

  33. Denise says

    October 5, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    How long can you store these seed balls an how do you store them…I would like to make these for christmas gifts. Thank you

  34. Chrystal says

    January 6, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    These are really neat, I saw a similar idea in an organic gardening magazine but that used biodegradable pet waste bags…which are expensive. I like this idea much better, especially the getting messy part! Every year my family tries to find a neat way to celebrate Earth Day – I think these are PERFECT!

  35. Kathy says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    What is the shelf or storage life for these?

  36. Teresa griffin says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    I use red art clay in my pottery high fire glaze making. In Texas its about 32.00 for a 40 pound sack. Not bad for my needs. it goes a long way. I cant wait to try this out. Thanks a bunch for sharing. :-)

  37. Judy says

    February 20, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    I want to throw some of the balls in a patch of poison ivy and hope they will eventually overtake the area.

  38. Chrystal says

    April 1, 2013 at 6:57 am

    Andrea this is pure genious, I may have already posted before with my intent to make these. But we’re actually going to buy the supplies today and get them ready for our Earth Day celebration. I can’t wait to beautify our neighborhood!

  39. jermaine shivers says

    April 14, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Great Job

  40. Kristin C says

    May 18, 2013 at 11:12 am

    What a great idea! This would also be great to do with kids. Thanks for the great project idea!

  41. Uwe B. says

    June 11, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    Es gibt immer weniger Blumen und immer mehr Beton. Tolle Idee die hoffentlich viele Nachahmer findet! There are fewer and fewer flowers and more and more concrete. Great idea which I hope will find many imitators!

  42. Laura says

    June 17, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    I am making these for wedding favors and will need to travel via airplane with them. Any travel storage advice? Thanks!

  43. Andrea Bellamy says

    June 17, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    Hi Laura,

    They should probably travel pretty well, especially if protected from bashing about. Pack them in tissue or something similar and you should be fine.

    Congrats on your wedding!

  44. Melissa White says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Just curious, does anyone have photos of the results of “flower bombing”?

  45. trish says

    April 2, 2015 at 9:13 am

    how many did you make? And how much clay and compost did you use. I’m planning on making these for favors and I can’t find anywhere how much clay and compost I need to buy to make 100. I hope you can help… Thanks

  46. Sandy says

    June 18, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    where is a pottery place in Tucson AZ, anyone know?

  47. Triciam says

    December 5, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Looking forward to trying this with my daughter. Wonderful idea, thank you! ?

  48. Alice says

    March 8, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Can you tell me how long these can be stored for?

  49. worried USA parent says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    When used for permaculture seed bombs/balls are great, but it’s ILLEGAL to dump seed bombs on private property. Dumping is a TRESPASS. Here’s what’s going on in my part of the upper middle class world: whenever a neighbor has a problem with another neighbor he or she bombards their neighbor’s house with seed bombs. Seed bombs not only ruin landscapes that cost thousands of dollars to plant but they also invite rodents. That’s correct–rats, white footed mice, brown mice, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, many birds and their predators are attracted to seed balls/bombs. The rodents chew up expensive roots on bushes, trees and herbaceous plants as they desperately try to eat all the seeds and moss. Rodent’s poop also attracts their predators, and those predators tear up the garden looking for rodents. As if this is not bad enough some have decided to throw glass shards inside the seed balls.

    Seed bombing private property, other than yours, could cause the destruction of property and it is illegally dumping. Dumping is against the law and a person can get a fine, arrested or sued for such acts. As for children, anyone teaching them to throw seed balls on private property other than their own, is encouraging bullying and unlawful behavior, and therefore corrupting minors.

  50. Mick says

    February 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    I actually laughed at the title of this blog category – Resistance is Fertile. This is a great idea. I’m going to try it in a particularly challenging area where I have been unable to grow anything even the weeds seem to do well.

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