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UC Master Gardeners of San Luis Obispo County

Planting Seed Balls

By Priscilla McGee, UC Master Gardener

 

What is a seed ball?

Seed balls are seeds wrapped in a ball of clay and a nutrient source such as compost, manure or potting soil. They are designed to be complete little planting packages. The seeds are protected in this package for delayed sowing or once planted from adverse environments. Seed balls are great for planting in neglected, damaged or remote areas or locations with low, inconsistent rainfall and harsh environments.

Picture1

Photo Credit:  Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County

History

Used in ancient times to preserve seeds for future cultivation or planting in semi-arid or flood damaged lands, seed balls were re-discovered in the early 20th century by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer, who called them earth dumplings. They have been recently popularized as seed bombs used in a guerilla gardening movement to rehabilitate neglected urban land. They are also used to restore fire damaged areas.

 

How it Works

The clay will absorb and retain moisture while the compost provides nutrients.  The dry clay shell protects the seeds from sun, wind, birds, and insect predators. When conditions are favorable and the clay has absorbed enough water, the seeds will germinate in this protected environment. Eventually the shell will crack and dissolve depositing the germinated seeds onto the ground to take root. The process takes time and patience.

Cultivation of land is expensive, time consuming and harmful to soil structure. Seed balls do not require planting holes or soil cultivation. They can be deposited on the ground, thrown into fields, or dropped from a helicopter.  Seed balls are an effective way to re-green large or difficult to access areas.

 

Advantages

  • Seed balls can be stored for long periods. They do not need to be sown immediately after formation. Do not store in a plastic bag but in glass, paper bag or cardboard.
  • Sowing is easy for energetic young to older gardeners with stiff backs. No need to dig or bury seed balls. Seed balls are tossed onto ground.
  • Do not have to time sowing with rain, weather, or specific time of year.
  • Good for urban, hostile, or remote areas where cultivation is difficult (steep slopes, forests, shallow or rocky soils).
  • No cultivation needed so decreases cost, labor or soil disruption. No need for fertilizer.
  • Easy to make and disperse- it is a fun project for children.
  • Any seed can be used- wildflowers, edible crops, and trees suitable for the location. Can be a mix of different seeds or single seed type.

 

 

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Photo Credit:  https://art.ucsc.edu/sesnon/events/seed-ball

Seed Ball Recipe

  • Materials (18 balls)
  • 1/4 cup commercial clay powder
  • 1/4 cup compost coarse or ½ cup fine compost
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • Seeds for 2-4 seeds per ball
  1. Mix clay, compost and water to a putty consistency, add more water if needed.
  2. Take approximate 1/2 teaspoon of the mix, flatten into palm of hand, insert 2-4 seeds depending on size of seeds and roll into a ball.
  3. Allow to dry in the shade for 2-3 days.
  4. Store in glass or cardboard, not plastic, until you are ready to use.
  5. Toss in desired area and keep fingers crossed.

Additional Tips

  • Commercial clay powder can be purchased at ceramic or art stores and online. Often called red clay powder or sold specifically for seed balls.
  • Recipe can be adapted- proportions are 2:2:1 of clay:compost:water.
  • Nutrient component can be compost, manure or potting soil.
  • An option is to include some of your own local soil for the beneficial mycorrhizae.
  • Can add cayenne pepper if there is difficulty with animals eating seed balls.

Picture3

Photo Credit:  https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/franklin/news/2016/seed-balls-have-it-all

 

References

DIY Seed Balls. University of Florida. DIY Seed Balls – Gardening Solutions

Gornish, Elise. Seed Ball Strategies for Gardening and Restoration in Arid Landscapes. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 2019. Seed ball strategies for gardening and restoration in arid landscapes

Isip-Bautista, Maria. DIY Seed Bombs-Plant your own Rainbow. 2015.  DIY Seed Bombs- Plant your own rainbow! - Under the Solano Sun - ANR Blogs

Tribal Youth, WSU Extension use Seed Bombs to Heal Wildfire-Damaged Lands. WSU. College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Science.  Tribal youth, WSU Extension use ‘seed bombs’ to heal wildfire-damaged lands | CAHNRS News | Washington State University

Wenger-Schulman, A.R.S. and Lauren Hoffman. Seed Balls and the Circle of Courage. Miami University. 2018. Afterschool Matters. EJ1175031.pdf