What are Seedbombs?
"Seed bombs put the power to beautify in the hands of everyone” Richard Reynolds www.guerrillagardening.org
Why seed bombs? Seed bombs were originally named seed balls, an ancient way to sow crops in dense vegetation and difficult to reach land using crop seeds, clay and sometimes manure formed into small balls. They were reintroduced within the last century by the Japanese soil scientist and organic farmer Masanobu Fukuoka who used seed balls or Tsuchi Dango (Earth Dumplings) for his one straw revouloution. When seed balls became seed bombs, they were a tool for the green guerrilla group in New York City and were used in 1973′s revitalization of the Bowery neighbourhood and the development of the city’s first community garden. So, how do we make them? Well, there are a few methods but this is the one I use as it's quick and cheap! |  |
How To Make Seedbombs
INGREDIENTS
1. Seeds - The most important of all the ingredients.
NEVER USE SEEDS OF EXOTIC SPECIES as some may be invasive and cause damage to the local ecosystem. Try native seeds, you can even gather them yourself in Autumn! Not only free but organic and suited to your local ecosystem!
I'm using Biodiversity Wildflower Meadow Mixture (WF030 from Design by nature at www.wildflowers.ie)
1. Seeds - The most important of all the ingredients.
NEVER USE SEEDS OF EXOTIC SPECIES as some may be invasive and cause damage to the local ecosystem. Try native seeds, you can even gather them yourself in Autumn! Not only free but organic and suited to your local ecosystem!
I'm using Biodiversity Wildflower Meadow Mixture (WF030 from Design by nature at www.wildflowers.ie)
2. Clay
Clay found naturally on the land, preferably red or brown.
Recommended alternative:
Commercial grade red powdered terracotta clay is the best one for multiple reasons going from its amazing plasticity to its iron oxide and manganese content.
The clay should be dry and sifted.
Clay found naturally on the land, preferably red or brown.
Recommended alternative:
Commercial grade red powdered terracotta clay is the best one for multiple reasons going from its amazing plasticity to its iron oxide and manganese content.
The clay should be dry and sifted.
3.Soil
Topsoil found naturally on the land.
Recommended alternatives:
Worm castings is the best one for multiple reasons going from its plasticity to its nutrient content.
Organic homemade compost with fungi spores and bacteria.
Old termite mounds, ants nest waste, etc
Compost
The soil should be dry and sifted.
Topsoil found naturally on the land.
Recommended alternatives:
Worm castings is the best one for multiple reasons going from its plasticity to its nutrient content.
Organic homemade compost with fungi spores and bacteria.
Old termite mounds, ants nest waste, etc
Compost
The soil should be dry and sifted.
PROPORTIONS
Proportions 1 : 3 : 5
One measure of seeds (more or less depending on the size of the seeds, three of soil or compost, five of clay.
Proportions 1 : 3 : 5
One measure of seeds (more or less depending on the size of the seeds, three of soil or compost, five of clay.
|
METHOD 1) Mix well soil, seeds and clay in a bowl or on a plastic mat. 3) Slowly add water to the mix, hand-working it thoroughly until it sticks together when you squeeze a handful together. 4) Make a big ball of dough that you will work so as to render it smooth and plastic. 5) Take pinches of the big ball and roll small, smooth and crack-free balls about the size of a marble. Don't let your hands get to dry throughout the process 6) Put the seedbombs to dry on sheets of newspaper. 8) Store preferably on newspaper in a single layer in a dry place or else in paper bags or else they may start to germinate. 9) Disperse, preferably before the growing season (March, April). 10) Wait for the rain and watch your seedlings sprout. 11) Wait and watch some more! 12) Sit back and smell the flowers! |             |
