DIY Garden Hack: How To Make A Quick Lawn & Seed Roller

Have you ever been prepping for or mid-way through a lawn or garden seeding project and found out they expect you to have a seed roller?

A seed roller is not an insignificant piece of equipment, and they are somewhat expensive. It’s not necessarily something you want to invest in if you won’t use it more than a time or two, but when you need it, you need it.

To save you some headache and some money, here’s a simple hack for an impromptu seed roller that you can put together in a minute and use with relative ease.

Jump to:

• What is a Seed Roller, and What is a Seed Roller Used For?
• When to use a seed roller
• How to Make a Simple Seed Roller for Lawn and Garden Projects
• To Use your Lawn or Seed Roller
• Other things you can use for weight in your seed roller
• Other Ways to Compress Seed or Gain Seed to Soil Contact Without a Seed Roller

What is a Seed Roller, and What is a Seed Roller Used For?

A seed roller is not really a very fancy or complex unit. It is just a barrel- or cylinder-shaped round unit. Most are either weighted or have the ability to add something for weight.

Seed rollers may be hand-pulled or pushed or might attach to the back of a small yard or lawn tractor (or if it’s a large one, if you’re talking about a large field roller!).

You might also hear a seed roller referred to as a lawn roller or a soil roller.

When to use a seed roller

You would use a seed roller when you are planting a large area, most commonly after it has been tilled and after you have spread the seed. You might also use a seed roller when you need to repair holes or lawn damage.

A seed roller does a few things:

• It increases seed-to-soil contact, which increases seed germination
• Helps the seed stay moist for germination
• Sets seed in the soil where roots can set
• Reduces the chances of seed blowing away in the wind
• Helps keep seeds from being washed away off the top of the soil
• Smooths and levels high spots in the soil
• Pushes air pockets out of the soil, which improves root health and seed set
• Pushes down rocks and stones into the soil so they are not sticking up to step on
• It can be used to level piles left from frost heaving or pests like tunneling moles and voles

How to Make a Simple Seed Roller for Lawn and Garden Projects

Here’s an easy hack to put together a quick, cheap, and easy lawn roller. Save money and get the job done!

1. Get a large barrel, preferably with a cover so it can be filled and closed.
2. If you don’t have a barrel, you can use a five-gallon bucket, but it will be smaller and cover less ground at once.
3. It’s best if the barrel has smooth, straight sides. If it is tapered, the barrel won’t roll as straight, but it will still work.

4. Put water in the barrel to weigh it. You can add whatever amount of water is comfortable for you to handle and to push.

5. Seal the barrel.

To Use your Lawn or Seed Roller

Using your seed roller is easy.

After you spread your seed and/or till your ground, simply lay the seed roller on its side and roll it over the soil/seed.

Go back and forth until the whole area is rolled.

If you feel you need more compression, feel free to repeat the roll or go over the areas in a second direction.

Other things you can use for weight in your seed roller

Water gives good weight, but if you want something heavier or if your container isn’t tight enough to hold water (i.e., you don’t have a watertight seal), there are some other things you can use to add some weight to increase soil and seed compression.

Here are a few choices:

• Loose soil
• Rocks or stones
• Sand

Other Ways to Compress Seed or Gain Seed to Soil Contact Without a Seed Roller

There are a few other hacks and tricks that you can use in place of a seed roller:

• Drag a large branch of brush over the area to work the seed into the ground; this is an old method that farmers have used for years
• Water seed into the soil immediately after planting, which will work down into the soil
• Place large sheets of cardboard over the area and walk all over it
• Use a piece of plywood on the soil and walk over it
• Roll a large log or piece of wood log over the area

And that’s it! Now you have a simple hack (several simple hacks, actually) for when you need a seed roller in your yard or garden. A cheap and easy way to get the job done!