What Are Seedballs (and Why They Work)

Seedballs are small balls of clay, compost and native seeds. The clay protects the seeds from birds, ants and harsh sunlight until the rains arrive and trigger germination.

The idea is ancient, but it is perfectly suited to modern reforestation. Seedballs need no digging, no machinery and very little follow-up care, which makes them ideal for hard-to-reach or barren land.

To make a seedball, mix five parts clay, three parts compost and one part seed with a little water, then roll the mixture into marble-sized balls and let them dry in the shade for a few days.

When dispersed just before the monsoon, a fraction of these seedballs will sprout into hardy native plants — and over the years, into a greener landscape. That is the quiet power Ashwas builds every drive on.