Making Seed Balls for Simple Gifts

Several months ago one of my faithful readers, Heather, suggested I do a post on making seed balls. I have made seed tapes using carrot seeds before but never seed balls! After searching online I found there are many ways to make seed balls. Basically the recipes include equal amounts of compost and clay. Of course you also need your seeds!

 

I wish I’d found the time to make these seed balls with my grandchildren when they were visiting. This would be a wonderful craft activity for your children. Instead I will have to send them some for Christmas! They will have fun planting them in the spring.

 

Ingredients for Making Seed Balls:

 

Seeds

Clay

Sifted aged compost

Water

 

The completed seed balls should have a 1:1 ratio of compost to clay. First moisten the clay with water until the consistency is like that of yogurt or soft ice cream.

 

When the clay is moistened and has the right consistency combine the compost with the clay; it is almost like creaming butter and sugar! Add more water as needed, you want the balls to hold together but not be sticky. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!

 

Pinch off a seed ball’s worth of the mixture and add your seeds. You only need to add 1-2 seeds unless they are hard to germinate then you may want to add more. I was using marigold seeds so I only added a few. If you add too many seeds they will be competing with each other when they germinate.

 

Roll the clay-compost mixture into a ball and let dry at room temperature. When completely dry store in an airtight container or place a couple of balls in a small bag for gift giving.

 

I think this will make a wonderful Christmas gift! So glad my wonderful reader Heather suggested this project!