Seed balls are handrolled compressed globes of seed enclosed in a mixture of compost, clay and water. The clay and humus keep the seeds from drying out in the sun, being eaten by predators, such as birds, squirrels, grubs or mice; blowing away in the breeze, or washing away in runoff. When adequate rainfall penetrates the clay, the seeds sprout within the nutrient rich compost.
Seed balls, also known as earth dumplings and earth cookies, can be made anywhere in the world where there is clay, compost, seed and water. Each seed ball is a miniature adobe garden.
History of Seed Balls
Native Americans may have been the first to introduce the seed ball concept. Legend has it that they protected their seed from weather, predators and transport by storing them inside clay balls.
In more recent times a Japanese soil scientist and founder of natural farming, Masanobu Fukuoka, reintroduced the seed ball concept when rebuilding habitats in arid regions. He considered the seed ball as a portable habitat awaiting only the suitable rain to stimulate growth. Fukuoka’s method of broadcasting seed balls on top of barren land without weeding, tilling, pesticides or fertilizer is used today in land rehabilitation projects worldwide.
Seed Ball Projects
Throughout the United States youth and adults are using marble-sized seed balls to plant gardens, create wildflower meadows, rejuvenate vacant lots, revegetate deserts, and establish or restore habitats.
- In Los Alamos, New Mexico school children made seed balls of native grasses and wildflowers to restore acres of burned forestland.
- Students in San Diego supplied 2 million seed balls to replace a 200-acre coastal sagebrush habitat destroyed by wildfire.
- Girl Scouts reseeded thirty degraded sites in New Jersey with native plants using the seed ball dispersal technique.
- Urban Habitat Chicago scatters seed balls on vacant lots to bring back life to blighted areas.
Recipe for Seed Balls
The recipe for seed balls is simple and messy. It is best to make seed balls outdoors or to cover the indoor work area with a large plastic tarp. Large bowls or plastic bins are needed for mixing ingredients.
- Pour one part seed mix into a bowl.
- Add three parts compost or humus.
- Mix well with fingers to coat seeds in compost.
- Add five parts powdered red terra cotta clay mixing thoroughly into compost mixture.
- Add two parts water gradually (may not need all).
- Knead mixture to a cookie dough consistency.
- Pinch off small pieces and roll into ¾ inch diameter balls.
- Sun-dry seed balls for 24-48 hours.
- Since seeds are already planted, toss on the surface at a density of 10 balls per square meter.
- Celebrate what happens after a penetrating rain!
Selecting Seed
Seed selection will depend on the goals of the project. Native plants have the greatest success in large scale habitat development projects. The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is an excellent resource for selecting local natives. State native plant societies and state natural resource departments feature profiles on native plants.
Salad greens and herbs are excellent choices for kitchen garden seed balls. Seed balls with such annuals as marigolds, cornflowers, zinnias, tithonia, and torenia bring instant success. A mix to attract beneficial insects might include nasturtium, amaranth, anise hyssop, alyssum, fennel, and yarrow. Cover crops like clover, buckwheat, fava beans, and rye can be dispersed easily with seed balls.
Add suspense to the adventure by experimenting with a variety of seed mixes. Let the good times roll with seed balls wherever you toss the garden.
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