The word "bomb" is not usually associated with positive things. Except in this case, making seed bombs can help restore your local ecosystem.
These marble-sized balls have appeared on platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok, where gardeners are using them to promote urban biodiversity by adding plants to neglected areas.
Making seed bombs is an easy, cheap, and fun way to help restore green neighborhoods. How to do.
How to make seed bombs
Clay powder is probably the most difficult ingredient for this project, but one kilogram will be enough to make dozens of seed bombs. You can easily find soil and seeds at your local hardware store, but you can also get them from Mother Nature.
Statistics
- Duration : 20 minutes.
- Material cost : about $25 for 15-20 seed bombs.
- Difficulty : easy.
tools
- A large plate
- (optional) mixing spoon
- (Optional) table
instructions
1. Clay and clay mixtures. Pour a 2:1 mixture of clay and clay into the box.
Powdered clay acts as a binder and protects the seeds from direct sunlight, insects and birds. We use bentonite green clay with calcium (used as a face mask), but you can use anything you find at your local store or at home. If you want the seed bombs to look more natural and blend in with the soil, you can use red clay powder.
At the same time, the potting soil will provide the nutrients needed for seed germination and early plant growth, giving your bomb the best chance to thrive. Any type will do, but the best ones are easy to mix with clay. If you have a thick mixture at home, strain it before using.
- Tip : If you can't find clay or don't want to buy it, you can replace it with the same amount of flour or wet shredded paper. These substitutes act as binders, but when dry they are not as strong as clay.
2. Add water . Gradually add enough water to make the dry mixture into a paste - it should feel like a paste in your hands. The amount you use to achieve this consistency depends on the clay and soil you choose.
If you think you have added too much water, you can add more clay and clay mix to make up for the excess moisture. Just keep the ratio of dry ingredients: for every additional part of soil mix, add two parts of clay.
[Related: Save the World by Saving Plant Seeds]
3. Add the seeds. Pour the seeds into the soil mixture in a ratio of 3:1 and mix by hand or with a trowel. You can vary this ratio depending on how densely you want the plants to grow, but 3:1 is ideal for working with a fair amount of seed.
- Tip : You can put a variety of seeds in your bombs, but be careful how you mix and match them: sunny plants will grow where shade-loving ones die, but fast-growing greens may not. and suppresses others. Only mix seeds of similar qualities or habitats, or plants that grow well together.
4. Mix the mixture and roll into small balls. Form a bomb with your palms. Keep them half an inch (about one centimeter) in diameter. When you've finished each one, place them on a tray with enough space between them so they don't touch - once they dry, they'll be harder to separate.
- Tip : During the sculpting of the bomb, the clay mixture can dry out, which will make the work more difficult. Keep a bowl of water handy and add a small amount to the mixture to restore the desired texture.
5. Let the seed bombs dry. Let the seed bombs sit for a few days until they are completely dry and hard. If you want to speed up the process, put them in the sun, and if you leave them outside, make sure they are covered in case of rain.
6. Start bombing . After all your seed bombs are dry, you can plant them in containers indoors or outdoors, in your garden or in an abandoned landfill in your area. The ears can be laid out in a sunny place, dug into the ground a little, but if you want to throw them like a real bomb, soak them in water for 5-10 minutes before bombing.
Choose your seeds wisely
If you plan to plant seeds in your area, be sure to use native plants, as not only are they more likely to thrive around your home, but they also provide habitat and food for local animals.
“Native species have relationships not only with themselves and humans, but also with many wildlife species in the region. By planting native species, you can maintain all these relationships and networks,” says catering manager Andrea Kramer. Ecologist and Conservation Scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
[RELATED: This 142-Year-Old Seed Was Sown Over a Century Underground]
Local seeds are easy to find. You can follow our guide and collect seeds from plants around you or find them at your local hardware store or nursery. To find out what to look for, check out the National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder, which lists plants and shrubs for your specific zip code.
If you're having trouble finding a supplier, you can use the Xerces Invertebrate Conservation Society's directory of native plants, seeds, and services. After providing some information about your location and the area you want to cover, the site will tell you where to find the seeds you need for your bomb. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your local conservation agency and ask for their help.
