Seed Ball Scattering - An autumn gardening idea

revised autumn 2019



This is a suggestion for an autumn-themed, mini garden project for children and adults alike. The scattering of Seedballs is an introduction to easy gardening, and will be an interesting activity with school groups; playgroups; scouting groups; brownies and guides, etc to enable the following of the growing process of wildflowers, as the balance of warmth and rain and/or watering happens.


MAYA is a project that is a follower of a permaculture principle. Such organisations, by design, help the efforts made by others move toward a sustainable future. This can be achieved not just through education, but through research, enterprise and campaigns. For more information see www.mayaproject.org




So MAYA have produced little Seedball sets to make it easier to grow wildflowers. Bear in mind the importance of creating areas of natural habitats (no matter how small), designed to attract bees and other insect pollinators thus supporting local biodiversity.

The Seed balls are ideal for scattering and are made using ancient techniques. Each ball, a mini eco-system, is a one centimetre sphere of clay and compost which contain the seeds. When rain permeates the clay the nutrients and minerals start to do the important work of helping with the germinating and sprouting of the seedlings. The clay, once a protective casing, will slowly degrade. Please note: A smidgen of chilli powder is also included in the Seed ball to deter predators organically.

Seed varieties include: a bee mix; butterfly mix; poppy; oxeye daisy and cornflower. Seed balls will work well in any environment, and they are particularly useful in dry/arid areas where rainfall is unpredictable; also in land/soil that is degraded. As well as: gardens, urban areas, flower pots and other containers.


Seed balls can be scattered any time of year, though autumn works well. So what are you waiting for!

The SEED:Ball Store is run by project MAYA, with all profits used to fund MAYA's activities to help make the world a better, happier, and more sustainable place.



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