DIY Seed Balls That Are the Bomb

The joy and magic of seed balls is we don’t know where they might land. Maybe they are purposefully planted in our garden, placed in a seed library, or tossed into an empty lot or the forgotten space between the sidewalk and street. It’s guerilla gardening — ever heard of it? 

With these seed bombs, there is a little explosion of color, life, and hope carried in each tiny seed as the ball slowly breaks apart. Since I can’t control where my bombs might land, I stick to using native seeds like a California native wildflower mix or California poppies, which come in a variety of colors beyond the iconic orange, so aim for native seeds from wherever you live.

One of my favorite things about gardening is sharing my passion with others by gifting veggies, filling the neighborhood seed library we built in our front yard, or educating kids on their role in nurturing our Earth. Engaging children in gardening provides limitless lessons while getting them outside and their hands dirty. A fun way to teach about native flowers and how they support pollinators is to make seed balls. Then share them with friends, neighbors, or find an empty green space that needs a little love and tending. 

The best time to plant seed balls is late winter. I toss them in the ground in January, let the winter rains do their job, and come spring, wildflowers slowly emerge from the soil. To properly store seed balls until it’s time to plant them, place them in a paper bag and store in a cool, dry place. 

Now go make some seed balls and share a little beauty with the world!

Check out these three different ways to make seed balls, their pros/cons, and how to use materials you already have at home. Be mindful when collecting your supplies: Reuse the pile of half-cut-up construction paper, ask your local pottery studio for clay scraps, or check in with your neighbor who composts for a few scoops. 

Paper Seed Balls

Pros/Cons

This option has the longest prep time, but you likely have the supplies at home. I also find the paper takes longer to break down compared to the others.

Materials

• Shredded construction paper scraps or newspaper
• Water
• California native seeds; Northeast U.S. native seeds (on Amazon)
• Blender and small bowls

Instructions

1. Gather the random construction paper scraps lying around your house (if you have kids, you know what I mean), and cut them up into small pieces or use a paper shredder. Soak the paper in warm water for roughly 30 to 60 minutes. 
2. Pour the softened paper and about half the water into the blender. Blend until you have a smooth pulp. You can use a mesh strainer or your hands to remove as much water as you can, and then return the pulp to the bowl. Sprinkle in your seeds, and mix. 
3. Pick up enough paper seed mixture to make a small ball (quarter size) and shape it into a ball, squeezing out extra water. 
4. Place your seed balls on a wire cooling rack to dry for a day or two.

Notes 

• If you want to up your seed-ball game, you can press the mixture into silicone molds and make different shapes.
• Add seeds to homemade paper, a great alternative for DIY cards or Valentine’s.

Compost and Clay Powder Balls

Pros/Cons

This is definitely the messiest option, which in my book makes it my favorite. It breaks down the fastest compared to the other two when tossed or planted. The powdered clay is harder to source and will likely need to be bought online or at a specialty craft store. 

Materials

• Bowl or an old resealable bag
• Clay powder (on Amazon)
• A few scoops of compost
• Water
• Native seeds

Instructions

1. In a bowl or bag, mix 50/50 of red clay powder and compost. Add water until you get a clay consistency.
2. Pinch off a small amount of the mixture, roughly quarter size. Place roughly 5 to 10 seeds into the mixture and then form it into a ball.
3. Place your seed balls on a wire cooling rack to dry for a day or two.

Modeling or Pottery Clay Balls

Pros/Cons

Supplies can easily be bought online or at a craft store. Before going this route, try calling a local pottery studio and ask for any scrap clay or make friends with a potter (aka my mom!). This option is the easiest with the fewest supplies, making it ideal for young kids. The clay can take longer to break down, and I often break up the seed ball when I plant it to speed up the process.

Materials

• Modeling or pottery clay (Crayola air-dry clay, on Amazon, is non-toxic and can be an alternative if you can’t source pottery clay)
• Compost
• Native seeds 

Instructions

1. Pinch off a small amount of clay, roughly quarter size. Roll into a ball and create a depression in the middle. 
2. Place a pinch of compost and 5 to 10 seeds in the middle. Pinch the clay closed and roll back into a ball. Have fun and mold it into different shapes. It doesn’t have to be a ball!
3. Place your seed balls on a wire cooling rack to dry for a day or two.

Notes

• If you want to up your seed-ball game, gather leaves and flowers from the garden and press into your seed ball for added decoration. Just use a little water to help them stick. Or use shells as stamps.