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[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedballs3.jpg Image - Seedballs: microcosms of the living world].


[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedballs3.jpg seedballs3.jpg Image - Seedballs: microcosms of the living world].
[http://www.bokashiman.com/ Al "Bokashiman"] from a [http://commgardens.meetup.com/56/ guerilla gardening group] led a [[seedball]]-making workshop. It is satisfying to get your hands muddy and spend a couple hours in a zen-like trance rolling seedballs - it's highly recommended!
 
== Here’s the recipe ==


[http://www.bokashiman.com/ Al "Bokashiman"] from a [http://commgardens.meetup.com/56/ guerilla gardening group] led a [[seedball]]-making workshop. It is satisfying to get your hands muddy and spend a couple hours in a zen-like trance rolling seedballs - it's highly recommended!
* 5 parts dry red clay<ref>Dry red clay: Yes, this is the stuff that potters use. Commonly it comes pre-mixed, which you don’t want. You want the dry powder so it can be easily mixed. I’ve tried using grey clay from a riverbank – it doesn’t work so well. In Greater Vancouver there is something called Red Art Clay which is available at Greenbarn Potters Supply Ltd., 9548 – 192nd Street in Surrey (604-888-3411). Try asking at your local art supply store.</ref>
* 3 parts dry organic compost
* 1 part seed<ref>Seeds: Workshop organizer Al provided crimson clover, white dutch clover and wild flower seeds, while the rest of the participants donated appropriate seeds – I put in California poppy, nasturtium and cilantro. Al also suggested using the edible, perennial and drought-tolerant plants listed at [http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/top20.php Plants for a Future].</ref>
* 1 – 2 parts water
 
We used a 16oz. plastic cup as a measure, which made enough for approximately 300 seedballs. After mixing together all the dry ingredients, we added enough water to form a mix that held together without crumbling but wasn’t so wet that it wouldn’t roll into balls. Pinching off small bits of the lovely mud, we rolled penny-sized balls and set them in trays. They will sit on the windowsill for three or four days until completely dry.
 
[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedball%20making.jpg Image - Here we are, rolling away].
 
[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedballs.jpg Image - One of these kids is doing their own thing].
 
== Ideas to try ==


=== Tea bag seed ball ===


== Here’s the recipe ==
A seed (e.g. sunflower seed) in between two tea bags, tied together with natural (compostable) twine. A great way to reuse old tea bags, especially for those who can't get clay easily. ''Does this work? The tea might hold water for a shorter time than clay, so is it more suitable to times and places with more soil moisture and/or rain and/or shade?''{{sp}}


* 5 parts dry red clay
=== Floating seed bomb ===
* 3 parts dry organic compost<br /> 1 part seed**<br /> 1 – 2 parts water


We used a 16oz. plastic cup as a measure, which made enough for approximately 300 seedballs. After mixing together all the dry ingredients, we added enough water to form a mix that held together without crumbling but wasn’t so wet that it wouldn’t roll into balls. Pinching off small bits of the lovely mud, we rolled penny-sized balls and set them in trays. They will sit on my windowsill for three or four days until completely dry.
This is more of an art piece than practical seed delivery method.


'''Ingredient notes:'''<br />''<nowiki>*Dry red clay</nowiki>''<nowiki>: Yes, this is the stuff that potters use. Commonly it comes pre-mixed, which you don’t want. You want the dry powder so it can be easily mixed. I’ve tried using grey clay from a riverbank – it doesn’t work so well. In Greater Vancouver there is something called Red Art Clay which is available at Greenbarn Potters Supply Ltd., 9548 – 192nd Street in Surrey (604-888-3411). Try asking at your local art supply store.</nowiki>
A new take on the [http://www.heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/03/a_brief_history_of_the_seed_ba.html seed bomb] is a biodegradable helium balloon painted with the classically kitschy garden gnome. The work of Dutch [http://www.studiotx.nl/TempGartenAM.html Studio TX], the seed-filled balloons deflate after a day, landing on the sod attached to the bottom of each balloon.


*Seeds: Workshop organizer Al provided crimson clover, white dutch clover and wild flower seeds, while the rest of the participants donated appropriate seeds – I put in California poppy, nasturtium and cilantro. Al also suggested using the edible, perennial and drought-tolerant plants listed at [http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/top20.php Plants for a Future].
"Each balloon is made of PLA plastic and painted with 100% water-based chalk. The balloons take 4-6 months to decompose and leave a burst of color in their wake."


[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedball%20making.jpg Image - Here we are, rolling away].
''Reported in [http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/12/green-graffiti-flower-bomb-balloons/ Inhabitat].''


[http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedballs.jpg Image - One of these kids is doing their own thing].
==Notes==
<small><references/></small>


== External links ==
== External links ==
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* [http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC14/Fukuoka.htm Masanobu Fukuoka]
* [http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC14/Fukuoka.htm Masanobu Fukuoka]


{{attrib heavypetal|http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/03/how-to-make-seedballs/}}
{{attrib heavypetal|url=http://heavypetal.ca/archives/2007/03/how-to-make-seedballs/}}


[[Category:Urban agriculture]]
[[Category:Urban agriculture]]
[[Category:Seeds]]
[[Category:Seeds]]
[[Category:Sowing]]
[[Category:Sowing]]
[[Category:How tos]]
[[Category:Gardening]]

Revision as of 02:12, 1 July 2017

Image - Seedballs: microcosms of the living world.

Al "Bokashiman" from a guerilla gardening group led a seedball-making workshop. It is satisfying to get your hands muddy and spend a couple hours in a zen-like trance rolling seedballs - it's highly recommended!

Here’s the recipe

  • 5 parts dry red clay[1]
  • 3 parts dry organic compost
  • 1 part seed[2]
  • 1 – 2 parts water

We used a 16oz. plastic cup as a measure, which made enough for approximately 300 seedballs. After mixing together all the dry ingredients, we added enough water to form a mix that held together without crumbling but wasn’t so wet that it wouldn’t roll into balls. Pinching off small bits of the lovely mud, we rolled penny-sized balls and set them in trays. They will sit on the windowsill for three or four days until completely dry.

Image - Here we are, rolling away.

Image - One of these kids is doing their own thing.

Ideas to try

Tea bag seed ball

A seed (e.g. sunflower seed) in between two tea bags, tied together with natural (compostable) twine. A great way to reuse old tea bags, especially for those who can't get clay easily. Does this work? The tea might hold water for a shorter time than clay, so is it more suitable to times and places with more soil moisture and/or rain and/or shade?[expansion needed]

Floating seed bomb

This is more of an art piece than practical seed delivery method.

A new take on the seed bomb is a biodegradable helium balloon painted with the classically kitschy garden gnome. The work of Dutch Studio TX, the seed-filled balloons deflate after a day, landing on the sod attached to the bottom of each balloon.

"Each balloon is made of PLA plastic and painted with 100% water-based chalk. The balloons take 4-6 months to decompose and leave a burst of color in their wake."

Reported in Inhabitat.

Notes

  1. ↑ Dry red clay: Yes, this is the stuff that potters use. Commonly it comes pre-mixed, which you don’t want. You want the dry powder so it can be easily mixed. I’ve tried using grey clay from a riverbank – it doesn’t work so well. In Greater Vancouver there is something called Red Art Clay which is available at Greenbarn Potters Supply Ltd., 9548 – 192nd Street in Surrey (604-888-3411). Try asking at your local art supply store.
  2. ↑ Seeds: Workshop organizer Al provided crimson clover, white dutch clover and wild flower seeds, while the rest of the participants donated appropriate seeds – I put in California poppy, nasturtium and cilantro. Al also suggested using the edible, perennial and drought-tolerant plants listed at Plants for a Future.

External links

Template:Attrib heavypetal

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