How to Create Your Own Seed Bombs at Home for Eco-Friendly Gardening
- wigglywoocraftemp
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, but it often requires time, space, and resources that not everyone has. Seed bombs offer a simple, creative way to grow plants in small or neglected spaces while supporting the environment. Making seed bombs at home is easy, affordable, and fun, and it helps bring more greenery to urban areas, gardens, or even wild spaces.
Seed bombs are small balls made from a mixture of seeds, clay, and compost. They protect seeds from birds and insects, retain moisture, and improve the chances of germination. You can throw or place them in areas where you want plants to grow without digging or planting directly in the soil. (Clay powder and be bought from craft stores)
This guide will walk you through the process of making seed bombs at home, using your waste paper instead of compost and clay, saving extra waste going to landfill and share tips for using them effectively. Whether you want to brighten up your neighbourhood or start a garden with minimal effort, seed bombs are a great place to start. These also make wonderful token gifts for your wedding guests as a reminder of your day.
What You Need to Make Seed Bombs
Before you start, gather the following materials. Most are easy to find at home or in garden stores.
Seeds: Choose native wildflowers, herbs, or vegetables suited to your climate. Native plants support local wildlife and require less care.
Wooden spoon/stirrer: for agitating and stirring up the pulp
Water: To moisten the mixture and help form balls.
Food colouring : To disguise the print of the waste paper and to look pretty as gifts (optional)
Water based PVA glue: to help it stick together (only use if not using edible seeds)
Junk mail: This is made into pulp and what we use to make the actual bomb to host the seeds
Mixing bowl: You will need two of these, one for squeezing the excess water in to and the other for mixing.
Bucket: For making and mixing the paper pulp and water
Cooling rack: To dry the seed bombs.
Muslin cloth or sieve: for squeezing out the excess water
Selecting the right seeds is important for your location. For example, if you live in a dry area, choose drought-tolerant plants like lavender or yarrow. In cooler climates, wildflowers like poppies or daisies work well. Avoid invasive species that could harm local ecosystems.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Seed Bombs
Follow these steps to create your own seed bombs at home:
Junk mail/waste paper
This needs to be torn into small pieces, a great task if you have youngsters around helping. Make sure you remove all staples, tape and and plastic from the windows of envelopes
Put the paper in your large bucket or deep bowl
Adding the water
It works better if you add hot water to make the paper pulp. Pour in enough water to cover the paper and then add your food colouring and stir.
Set it to one side, and go and make a cuppa, put on a load of laundry, read a magazine, do a bit of crochet or knitting for half an hour then go back and give it a bit of a stir, so the paper breaks down. You can leave it over night if you prefer. It needs to look like porridge, so keep stirring to get it to this point.
Remove excess liquid
We need to remove as much excess water as possible to allow it to dry quicker and so the seeds don't start to sprout! Using the muslin, grab a handful of the pulp and squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the pulp. If using a sieve, use the back of a spoon to press the excess water out. Pop the pulp in to another bowl ready for mixing. Continue until all the pulp had had the water removed.
Making the mix
Using your hands, break up the pulp so it forms a crumble. Add your seeds and mix thoroughly. At this point you can add the water based PVA glue which helps to hold it altogether (alternatively you can use a mix of compost and clay to make your seed bombs)
Making the seed bombs
You can use shallow silicone moulds to make your bombs or roll into balls. I used some shallow paint pallets so I could easily stick them to little cards to give as token gifts.
So you just squeeze them together to form your shapes or pack the moulds. with the mixture. Once I had filled my moulds I pressed down with a piece of kitchen towel, to take off any extra moisture that may have come out.
Drying your seed bombs
They need to have plenty of air circulation and must be kept in a cold and dark place.
I placed mine on a cooling rack and put them into a big box. I added a little interior dehumidifier to help absorb the moister. I shut the lid of the box so no light could get in.
I left them for a week, checking every couple of days to see how they were drying and to make sure the seeds were not sprouting.
Do not be tempted to put them somewhere warm to speed up the drying as it will only make the seeds germinate. And putting them in an oven will kill off the seeds. You just have to be patient and wait it out!
Storing your seed bombs
Once they are fully dried out, store them in paper bags or a cardboard box, making sure they do not get wet or damp.
Tips for Using Seed Bombs Successfully
Seed bombs work best when used thoughtfully. Here are some tips to improve your results:
Choose the right location
Look for bare soil with good sunlight and minimal foot traffic. Avoid areas with heavy shade or thick grass.
Plant in the right season
Spring and fall are ideal for most seed bombs. Soil moisture and temperature help seeds germinate.
Water if needed
If rainfall is scarce after planting, water the area gently to keep soil moist.
Avoid compacted soil
Loosen hard soil with a rake or stick before throwing seed bombs to help roots grow.
Be patient
Some seeds take weeks to sprout. Keep an eye on the area and avoid disturbing the soil.
Benefits of Making Seed Bombs at Home
Creating seed bombs yourself has many advantages beyond just growing plants.
Cost-effective
Homemade seed bombs use simple materials and reduce the need to buy expensive plants.
Eco-friendly
Using native seeds supports biodiversity and helps pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Educational
Making seed bombs is a fun activity for kids and adults to learn about plants and nature.
Community impact
Seed bombs can green neglected urban spaces, improving air quality and aesthetics.
Easy to share
Seed bombs make thoughtful gifts or tools for community gardening projects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Seed Bombs
Even simple projects can have pitfalls. Watch out for these common mistakes:
Using the wrong seeds
Avoid non-native or invasive species that can disrupt local ecosystems.
Adding too much water
Overly wet seed bombs won’t dry properly and may go mouldy.
Making seed bombs too large
Large balls dry slowly and may crack, reducing seed survival.
Planting in unsuitable locations
Seed bombs won’t grow well in shaded, compacted, or polluted soil.
Storing seed bombs improperly
Keep them dry and cool to prevent mould and seed damage.
Creative Ways to Use Seed Bombs
Seed bombs are versatile and can be used in many creative ways:
Urban greening
Toss seed bombs into empty lots, roadside verges, or community spaces to add colour and life.
Gifts and party favours
Package seed bombs in small bags with planting instructions for eco-friendly presents.
School projects
Use seed bombs to teach children about plants, ecosystems, and sustainability.
Wildlife gardens
Plant seed bombs with flowers that attract pollinators and birds.
Rehabilitation efforts
Use seed bombs to restore damaged or eroded land with native vegetation.
Making seed bombs at home is a simple, rewarding way to contribute to a greener environment. With just a few materials and some seeds, you can create small capsules of life that bring plants to places they might not otherwise grow. Whether you want to brighten your neighbourhood, support local wildlife, or enjoy gardening with less effort, seed bombs offer a practical solution especially using up your waste paper and junk mail! See the video below for a quick look at how I made my seed bombs.
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