While visiting the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival the other day, yes again, I attended a workshop where I learned how to make seed balls. I had never heard of a seed ball before but I think it is a potentially great idea. This is how they are made:
1. Mix equal parts compost and clay together in a large bowl.
2. Stir seeds into the mixture.
3. Using a spray bottle, slowly moisten the mixture with water until you are able to roll small amounts into little balls. The balls should hold together easily but not be too gummy or sticky.You may you latex gloves for this part if you would like.
4. Allow the balls to dry.
That's it. Easy. To be truthful these balls look a little like the stuff that appears at the backend of the digestive process, but they are perfect little seed germination bombs. The clay holds the seeds together and prevents birds from eating them or the wind blowing them away. When it rains the compost provides an initial boost to the seeds. Supposedly you can just drop them on the ground. How neat is that? It would probably be best to choose native wildflower seeds and avoid invasive species. Epcot gave us an heirloon wildflower mix with seeds suited for all areas of the country. They didn't say exactly what was in the mix. I imagine things like tickseed, gallardia, and coneflower would work nicely.
I've heard that there are guerilla gardeners who make these and toss them into barren lots.
ReplyDeleteI saw that online too. There was one case where the cops were called and they confiscated the seed balls that were found drying in the driveway as dangerous substances. That was too funny! They posted photos online of "the incident."
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