Why You Need Seed Shakers and How to Use Them
Seed shakers are a great way to fill large empty spaces in your garden with little effort. Depending on what you choose, they can boost biodiversity or improve soil quality, too. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains the benefits of seed shakers and how to use them.
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If you have an empty area of your garden you just can’t figure out how to fill, you’re not alone. While it’s a better problem to have than too little space, it’s a struggle to go back and forth between ideas that don’t quite work while the open soil sits empty and primed for weeds to attack.
I have the solution for indecisive gardeners, lazy gardeners, beginners, or anyone who wants to quickly boost biodiversity in their gardens: seed shakers. These easy-to-use shakers make sowing a breeze and turn empty patches into abundant flowering meadows without much thought or planning.
If you’ve never used a seed shaker or even want to try making your own, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
Bring Home the Butterflies Flower Mix Seed Shaker
Bring Home the Butterflies Flower Mix Seed Shaker
Cover Crop Crimson Clover Seed Shaker
Cover Crop Crimson Clover Seed Shaker
Precious Pollinators Flower Mix Seed Shaker
Precious Pollinators Flower Mix Seed Shaker
The Benefits of Using Seed Shakers
One of the main benefits of seed shakers is their ability to cover a large area quickly. If you’ve ever tried broadcasting seeds manually, you know how uneven and patchy the results can be. And the patchiness becomes even worse if you try to spread different species one by one rather than mixing them together.
A seed shaker combines seeds evenly (or as evenly as size allows) and allows you to spread them more uniformly, avoiding bare spots and overcrowding. If you want a consistent look across a big flower bed or a larger patch of lawn rather than empty gaps, seed shakers are the answer.
Seed shakers are also an easy way to boost biodiversity in your garden. The variety you get from these packs is generally far greater than if you had to pick your seeds yourself or purchase trays from a nursery. When you combine various species, you attract different pollinators, add nutrients to the soil, and create a welcoming environment that encourages beneficial insects and reduces pest issues.
If you’re a new gardener and don’t see yourself planning a garden bed from scratch yourself in your Garden Planner, seed shakers are a fun way to experiment without stress. You can watch a mix of plant varieties pop up and see which ones thrive best in your soil to learn for next season.
Depending on what you grow, improved soil structure is another reason seed shakers are so popular. Cover crops like clover or buckwheat come in seed shaker form, and they can do wonders for soil health by boosting nitrogen and suppressing weeds.
Where to Find Seed Shakers
While you can make your own seed shakers (which we’ll look at next), it’s far easier to purchase them online. This way, you don’t have to figure out complex ratios or worry about mixing seeds unevenly. Buying seed shakers can save money compared to purchasing multiple seed packets individually. We stock different mixes for various purposes, so you can match your choice to your garden’s needs.
Seed shakers arrive ready to use, so you can get planting right away without much extra prep work. This convenience is especially appealing if you’re a new gardener or have limited free time. Instead of making frequent trips to the store for individual seed packs (and inevitably forgetting a few essentials), you can order everything you need at once in one easy shaker.
Some seed shakers are designed for those who want to support pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, with a specialized mix to attract life to your garden. If soil improvement is your priority, look for cover crop mixes containing buckwheat or clover. When choosing a pre-made option, you know the varieties have already been tested for compatibility and performance.
Making Your Own
If you want to try a fun gardening DIY, you can make your own seed shaker at home. This is great for leftover seeds from previous seasons or making a combo of a specific set of varieties you want to try together.
The simplest way to make them is to use an old spice container with large enough holes or any container that allows seeds to pass through. Wash it thoroughly to remove any residue before you start.
Before adding seeds, consider which species you want to mix. Pay attention to whether the plants have similar requirements (sun exposure, soil, watering needs, and so on). Add your chosen seeds to the container and shake it gently to combine them evenly.
Make sure you measure how many seeds you will need for the area you plan to cover. If you have a large patch to fill, you’ll need a lot of seed packets. This can get complicated with many different varieties, so it may be easier to buy a shaker with the correct ratios.
How to Use Seed Shakers
Once you’ve purchased your seed shakers, you’re ready to sow. There are a few steps to follow, but they are far less time-consuming than if you had to sow each variety by hand.
Check Your Timing
Planting time is important to consider at any point of the year, and seed shakers are no different. Check the instructions on the packaging and know your last frost date to make sure you broadcast at the right time. If you’re making your own, take note of the average sowing time of your chosen varieties so you don’t miss your window.
The exact time will depend on the shaker. But generally, those in colder climates will sow around two to four weeks before your last frost date. Warmer regions often do well with fall sowing. Always read the instructions on the seed packets included in your mix to confirm the best sowing window.
Prepare the Area
Even though seed shakers are a quick and easy sowing option, it is still important to prepare your soil before you start. You want the plants to grow to their full potential and fill out the space rather than looking sparse.
Make sure the soil is level and free of debris. Remove weeds and their roots so they don’t compete with your new seedlings. Add compost or other organic matter to improve structure and boost fertility, giving your seeds a good start once they begin to sprout.
Scatter
When your space is ready, lightly scatter the seeds using the shaker. Aim for an approximate coverage of around 20 seeds per square foot. This number might change slightly depending on what you are planting, but it is a good guideline for most mixes.
Use a sweeping motion as you shake to ensure an even distribution. Rake the surface gently afterward to help the seeds make contact with the soil, improving germination rates.
If birds in your area are persistent, consider lightly covering the seeds with soil or using a protective net. Otherwise, you may be disappointed when fewer seedlings pop up than you expected.
Water
After scattering your seeds, water the area thoroughly. The soil needs to be lightly moist while the seeds germinate, but not so wet that they wash away or become moldy.
Check your weather to determine the best time to water. In drier or warmer regions, you may need to water daily, while cooler or rainy climates might only require watering every few days. Don’t skip this step, as seedlings can die off quickly if the soil dries out completely before they establish strong roots.
Maintenance
As the seedlings begin to grow, keep an eye out for overcrowding. If an area looks too dense, gently thin out a few seedlings to allow the others room to develop. Watch for weeds that might pop up and remove them quickly to reduce competition.
Most seed mixes should begin to sprout within a month. Some will be quick; others may take longer. Once the plants are established, you can care for them as you would in any other bed, adjusting watering and feeding according to their needs.
