Victoria County Master         Gardener Association

VCMGA Making Wildflower Seedballs

Recipe and Directions for Making Seed Balls

What are Texas Wildflower Seedballs? Texas Wildflower seedballs are being made by Victoria County Master Gardeners to promote the sowing of native wildflowers seeds in our area in Texas.  They are 1/2 inch balls made with red art clay, compost, native wildflower seed, and water, mixed together, rolled into balls, dried and distributed for planting by just "throwing them out." 

  
Ingredients
1 part - Mixed wildflower and/or native grass seed (available at many garden supply stores and on-line -      make sure to use native seeds for your area)
3 parts - Soil humus or compost (available from gardening supply stores)
5 parts - Dry red clay (available from potter's supply - also called terra cotta clay)
1 part - Water   

Other materials
disposable gloves
5 gallon tub
measuring cup
newspaper
plastic or aluminum disposable trays   

Mixing and forming the balls
Mix all the ingredients together with your hands until it is sticky.  Divide into chunks and place on trays.  Further divide the clay into small enough dabs to roll into 1/2 inch balls.
Place the balls on the trays to dry.
Store in plastic zip-lock bags until ready to distribute.

STEP ONE:

Measure out 1 cup of native wildflower mix.

STEP TWO:

Add to 5 gallon tub

STEP THREE:

Measure out 5 cups clay and 3 cups compost

STEP FOUR:

Measure out 1 cup water

STEP FIVE:

Mix all parts well in tub until moist

STEP SIX:

Put large clumps of mix on trays.

STEP SEVEN:

Roll tiny amounts until you form about 1/2 inch balls.

STEP EIGHT:

Place on large trays to dry.  When dry put in baggies.

Plant the seedballs by spreading them out, but not too densely.  Water them at regular intervals until they are about 4-6 inches.

Or throw them out during rainy times and let Mother Nature take care of watering.

Enjoy VCMGA's seedball-making photos from 2008.  This is a fun activity for us and for children also! :)