Snail Seed Starting with Jary Zelaya-Hernandez

As spring approaches and the weather warms, it’s the perfect time to start gardening! This year, Keep Carroll Beautiful is excited to explore innovative gardening techniques that are both enjoyable and environmentally friendly. One such method is the Snail Seed Starting Method, a space-saving and sustainable way to begin your garden indoors or outdoors.

What is the Snail Seed Starting Method?

The Snail Seed Starting Method involves spreading soil onto long strips of material—such as a foam packing roll, paper towel, or cloth—then rolling it up like a snail’s shell (or a cinnamon roll!). Once rolled and secured upright, seeds are placed in the top layer of soil, making it an efficient and compact way to start seedlings.

This method was recently tested by Jary Zelaya-Hernandez, Keep Carroll Beautiful’s UWG 2025 Intern, who experimented with seed snails to explore their effectiveness for small-space gardening. Throughout the trial, Jary found that this technique not only saved space but also helped maintain consistent moisture for seed germination.

How to Set Up Seed Snails

Materials Needed:

• Material (foam packing roll, cloth, paper towels, etc.)
• Water
• Seed Starting Mix or soil
• Seeds of choice
• Container for soil
• Tape or rope
• A light source (sunlight or grow light)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Scroll to the bottom of the page for an instructional video.

1. Prepare the soil – If using a seed-starting mix, follow the package instructions to ensure proper consistency.
2. Lay out the material – Choose a strip wide enough to hold the soil securely.
3. Spread the soil – Evenly distribute the soil on the material, leaving enough space at the top and bottom to prevent spillage when rolling.
4. Roll it up – Carefully roll the strip into a coil shape, similar to a snail’s shell.
5. Secure the roll – Use tape, rope, or both to hold the seed snail in place.
6. Position the snail upright – Stand the rolled material upright in a stable position.
7. Plant the seeds – Sprinkle your chosen seeds on top of the soil and gently cover them with about ¼ inch of soil.
8. Provide light – Place the seed snail in an area with ample natural sunlight or under a grow light.
9. Water and nurture – Keep the soil moist and monitor your seedlings as they grow.

Photos: Jary Zelaya-Hernandez — Step-by-step images of snail seeds

Jary’s experiment demonstrated how easy and effective the Snail Seed Starting Method can be for gardeners of all experience levels. Whether you’re starting a few plants on a windowsill or planning a larger garden, this technique offers a fun and resourceful way to start gardening.

By following these steps, you can roll into spring with a creative, sustainable gardening method that saves space and nurtures healthy seedlings. Happy gardening!

Results of the Snail Seeds After One Week:

For more help on seed snails, watch the YouTube short below!