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Shaker Boxes: A Simple Way to Grow Your Own Herbs

Growing from seed is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening - but it can also feel fiddly. Tiny seeds slipping through fingers, uneven spacing, crowded seedlings that need thinning…it’s often the sowing stage that puts beginners off.
That’s exactly where shaker boxes come in.
Designed to remove the guesswork, a shaker box makes sowing faster, more accurate and far more enjoyable. Whether you’re creating a colourful wildflower patch, sowing herbs for the kitchen, or introducing children to gardening, this simple tool turns a potentially messy job into something effortless.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a shaker box is, what a shaker box is used for, and explore our range of easy growing kits. 

What is a Shaker Box? (Not Furniture!)

When people first hear the term, they often picture minimalist wooden furniture -  but in gardening, a shaker box means something quite different.

A shaker box is a seed container with a perforated or adjustable lid that lets you scatter seeds evenly over the soil with a gentle shake. It’s designed to control distribution and prevent heavy clumps of seed from landing in one spot.

Think of it as the difference between pouring salt straight from the packet and using a salt shaker - same product, much better control.

Shaker boxes are particularly useful for:

  • Wildflower mixes
  • Lawn seed
  • Fine herb seeds
  • Quick, easy border refreshes

They’re practical, portable, and ideal for gardeners who want reliable results without complicated tools.

What is a Shaker Box Used For?

At its simplest, a shaker box is used for even seed distribution.

Instead of sowing by hand and risking overcrowding, you can:

  • Shake gently for light coverage
  • Build up layers gradually
  • Control density across different areas

This makes it perfect for sowing wildflower seeds, where even coverage creates a natural, meadow-style effect without dense patches competing for space.

How to Grow Herbs Using a Shaker Box

Shaker boxes aren’t just for wildflowers - they’re excellent for herbs too.

Here’s how to use one effectively:

  1. Prepare fine, level soil in a pot, raised bed or container.
  2. Shake lightly over the surface - don’t oversow.
  3. Gently press seeds into the soil (most herb seeds need light to germinate).
  4. Water carefully, using a fine rose or mist setting.

Herbs particularly suited to shaker sowing include:

  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Coriander
  • Chives

Even distribution means stronger individual plants and less competition for nutrients.

For beginners or gifts, our growing kits make herb growing even simpler.

Leftovers? How to Store Seeds Properly

If you have seed remaining in your shaker box, proper storage is essential to maintain viability.
Follow these golden rules:

  • Store seeds somewhere cool, dry and dark
  • Reseal tightly after use
  • Avoid humidity (no greenhouses or kitchens)
  • Keep away from direct sunlight

An airtight container in a cupboard or drawer is ideal.
Properly stored, many seeds will remain viable for at least one to two years - some much longer.

Ready to grow with confidence?

Shaker boxes take one of the most delicate stages of gardening - sowing - and make it refreshingly simple. They provide control, consistency and confidence, whether you’re creating a wildflower haven or growing fresh herbs for the kitchen.

For beginners, they remove intimidation. Experienced gardeners, they save time.

If you’ve ever struggled with uneven sowing, overcrowded seedlings or wasted seed, a shaker box could be the simplest upgrade you make this season.

Explore our range of wildflower seeds, discover easy-to-use growing kits, and make sowing simpler with a shaker box this season.

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