5 Creative Ways To Use Leftover Seed – Don't Throw It Away!

22.11.2023 - 05:03 / gardeningknowhow.com

Every gardener knows the frustration of having too much seed left over at the end of the growing season. All that wasted potential sitting in half-empty packets, that you have neither the time nor space to use.

Storing seeds correctly will extend the life of many varieties, even beyond the expiry date. But not all seeds can be preserved until the following year. Many gardeners do not want to risk planting old seeds that may never germinate.

Leftover seed can be shared with others in the local community. Planning a seed swap is a great way to do this, or you could donate it to a local seed library.

Alternatively, there are some fantastic ways to use up leftover seed. Not only will these creative ideas keep you busy, but they are fun activities for kids, too.

Seed bombs are such a fun way to use up leftover seed, and can be given to friends and neighbors as gifts.

Either use an existing seed mix, or get creative with your own custom blend. The great thing about making a mix is that it won’t matter if a portion of the seeds don’t germinate.

Fast-growing annuals, such as cosmos, zinnias, and poppies, are ideal, but you can even make vegetable and salad seed bombs. As long as you don’t choose an invasive species, you can have fun and experiment.

It’s easy to make seed bombs using powdered clay and compost:

Bear in mind that making seed bombs is not a task that can be carried out at any time of year – the right seed bomb sowing time makes a big difference as to whether the seeds will germinate successfully.

Most annuals are best sown in the spring, after the frosts have passed. However, many perennials benefit from being sown in the fall. Check the seed packet information for sowing times before making your mix, so you can group seeds