How to make a seed ball: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:41, 24 September 2009

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

A seed (e.g. sunflower seed) in between two tea bags, tied together with twine. Great way to reuse old tea bags, especially for those who can't get clay easily. Does this work?^{[expansion needed]}

Notes

↑ 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.
↑ 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

Seed Balls I. What They Are And How To Make Them - archived from the defunct seedballs.com site.
Path to Freedom
Masanobu Fukuoka

Template:Attrib heavypetal

[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.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 [http://www.heavypetal.ca/uploads/archived/seedballs.jpg Image - One of these kids is doing their own thing].
+== Ideas to try ==
+* A seed (e.g. sunflower seed) in between two tea bags, tied together with twine. Great way to reuse old tea bags, especially for those who can't get clay easily. ''Does this work?''{{sp}}
 ==Notes==