What Are Seed Balls?

Benefits Over Traditional Planting

• According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, seed balls have several benefits over traditional planting. Rather than laying seeds on top of or just under the topsoil, seed ball planting protects seeds from harsh environmental factors like extreme heat and heavy winds, giving the seeds a better chance to sprout. Further, since the seeds are not really exposed, they are less vulnerable to being eaten by birds, rodents or insects. The water, compost and clay that surround the seeds provide enough nutrients and moisture to give the seeds a head start on germination.

Ingredients

• Seed balls are typically composed of four ingredients: clay, compost, water and seeds. The clay acts as a binder, holding the seed balls together. Compost or soil provides nutrients and gives the seeds a place to sprout. Almost any seed can be used, but smaller-sized seeds typically work better. The water holds everything together.

Making a Seed Ball

• Making seed balls is easy once the ingredients have been gathered. The ratios of ingredients are not set in stone, but roughly they are five parts clay, one to three parts compost, one to three parts seeds and one or two parts water. Once combined, the mixture should be moist and slightly sticky. The mix is then rolled by hand into 1- or 2-inch balls, which are then set out to dry for one or two days before use or storage.

Guerrilla Gardening

• An urban environmental movement known as "guerrilla gardening" has gained popularity since the turn of the 21st century. As profiled in the "Los Angeles Times," guerrilla gardeners see themselves as eco-activists seeking to turn derelict tracts of abandoned land into lush, verdant meadows or free-for-all food farms. Seed balls or "seed bombs" are their weapons of choice in their quest to beautify urban landscapes.