Make My Day Camp: Seed Snails

Monday, April 14, 2025

Seed Snails

I saw this idea for starting seeds indoors and I'm so curious to try it - we started a lot of seeds (too many haha) last spring but it took up so much counter space; making these seed snails will greatly reduce how much space they require before it's warm enough to plant them outside in the garden. I'm sharing the info I found before starting my own seeds since they need 6-8 weeks indoors and I don't have all of the supplies yet - I wanted you to have a head start on me in case you'd like to try this technique this year.

Here's what I found at better homes and gardens:

A seed snail requires a few materials: polyethylene wrap (the flexible foam used to protect appliances in shipping), potting mix, waterproof tape, and a tray or plastic pots for support.

Step 1: Cut Foam Wrap

Cut your wrap material into strips approximately 6 inches deep and at least 17 inches long. Spread a ½-inch layer of pre-moistened potting mix, leaving about ½ inch at the top to catch water and 4 inches on one side to allow for expansion.

Step 2: Roll the Material

Tightly roll up the strip, turn the snail upright, and secure it with waterproof tape (duct, packing, or painter’s tape).

Step 3: Plant the Seeds

Tamp down the soil, sow seeds at the proper depth, and mist with water. To keep them upright, stack them in a tray or place them inside plastic pots. Label each snail, and for extra insurance, write on the side.

Step 4: Cover and Care

Covering with plastic wrap can speed germination. Remove it once seeds sprout. Sober recommends top-watering until they sprout, and bottom-watering in the tray afterward. Open the snail to add soil if needed before planting out.

Step 5: Transplant Seedlings

When seedlings are outgrowing the snail's top and bottom, it's time to transplant them into the garden. Gently tease them apart, discarding spindly ones.