Seed balls (土団子,土だんご, Tsuchi Dango Earth Dumpling) consist of mixing one measure of seeds for next season’s crop with 3 measures of compost and 5 measures of red clay, and sometimes manure then formed into small balls. Much less seed is used than in conventional growing, resulting in fewer plants which are smaller but stronger with a higher yield. The technique is useful for seeding thin and compacted soils, and avoiding seed eaters.

It is an ancient technique that was re-introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka, an advocate of “natural farming”.

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I thought we would talk about something different today. This blog is not just about indoor grow products, but about growing plants in general and these articles are simply fantastic and vital!

Lets Talk About Seed Balls.

What are they you ask? Seed Balls are seeds that have been blended with clay, compost, and nutrients to make a compact ball that will release the seeds perfectly over time. Here are two great articles on seed balls, what they are, and how to make them…..

Seed balls are very easy to make and are great for seeding waste areas in your yard.

We use a combo of wild flower, mustards, radish seeds and wheat to create a haven for beneficial insects.  We sow the balls in winter in our next-door neighbor’s yard.   They had a long piece of bare ground adjacent to our garden that was full of weeds and bermuda grass *yuck*.

This method has been successful in attracting many beneficial insects into the garden and has transformed the bare and unsightly spot into a beautiful wild garden.

Seed balls are a method for distributing seeds by encasing them in a mixture of clay and soil humus. Some native North American tribes used forms of seed balls. More recently natural farmer Masanobu Fukuoka has applied them, as have others inspired by his work.

Seed balls are simply scattered direct onto ground, and not planted. They could be useful for seeding dry, thin and compacted soils and for reclaiming derelict ground. This method takes a fraction of the time or cost of other methods to cover large areas and is also very applicable in small areas.

The clay and humus ball prevents the seeds from the drying out in the sun, getting eaten by predators like mice and birds, or from blowing away. When sufficient rain has permeated the clay and the seeds inside sprout they are protected within the ball that contains nutrients and beneficial soil microbes. Seed balls are particularly useful in dry and arid areas where rainfall is highly unpredictable. www.primalseeds.org

	STEP ONE:  INGREDIENTS A. Dry terracotta clay, finely ground and sifted through a strainer to remove large chunks of clay.  Amount: 1 1/4 cup
	B. Dry organic compost.  Amount: 3/4 cup C. 1/4 cup assorted seeds. Various wildflower & vegetable seeds can be used.
	STEP TWO: Mix B & C together.  (Seed mixed with dry compost.)
	STEP THREE: Add A to B & C mix. Blend everything together well.  Next, mist water onto the mixture while stirring.  Spray just enough water to allow the mixture to stick/bind together.
	STEP FOUR: Take a pinch of the finished mixture and roll (in the palm of your hand) into penny-sized round balls.
	STEP FIVE: Put seed balls in the sun to dry completely for a day or two.
	STEP SIX: Broadcast seed balls onto dirt area.  Water or wait for rain to allow seeds to germinate. Makes approximately 30-40 balls
	Seeds are starting to come up… ENJOY THE RESULTS!!!
Suggested seeds to attract beneficial insects: Clover, alfalfa, alyssum, nasturtium, yarrow, carrot, dill, daikon, celery, radish, fennel, caraway, chervil, gypsophila, coriander, calendula, mustard, anise hyssop, phacelia, agastache, and amaranth. Note: Please be advised to check with your local nursery or agriculture agency to determine which beneficial, native plant species would best serve the habitat which you are trying to restore.   Nonnative invader species that are proven voracious spreaders should never be used as a tool of ecological restoration. Application rate A minimum of ten seed balls per square metre, a higher density may be required to reclaim derelict land. Original article Here Seed balls, simply put, are a method for distributing seeds by encasing them in a mixture of clay and compost. This protects the seeds by preventing them from drying out in the sun, getting eaten by birds, or from blowing away. Seed balls are scattered directly on the ground, not planted. Self-sufficiency and sustainability website Path To Freedom says seed balls are useful for seeding dry, thin and compacted soils and for reclaiming derelict ground (which is why they are often used in guerilla gardening). Seed balls are particularly useful in dry and arid areas where rainfall is highly unpredictable. I like ‘em because they’re easy to chuck over fences into empty lots. You can “sow” your seed balls on a sunny day – and just leave them. When sufficient rain has permeated the clay, the seeds inside sprout and are aided by the nutrients and beneficial soil microbes surrounding them. I put one (shown above) in my garden so I can track its progress and show my readers that – yes! – seed balls do actually work. In fact, the seed ball method has been working for centuries. I’ve read that some North American First Nations’ tribes used seed balls. More recently natural farming pioneer Masanobu Fukuoka has experimented with them. And in New York City, seed bombs were used in 1973’s revitalization of the Bowery neighborhood and the development of the city’s first community garden. So there you have it. The Heavy Petal version of seed ball history. Now go play outside! Original article HERE interview with Masanobu Fukuoka

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