DIY seed bomb making is also a fantastic sensory activity that you can engage your children in. Unlike the typically shared Papier Mache seed bombs seen online, these handmade seed bombs are entirely natural and only require clay and dirt.
There are several approaches to creating seed bombs, each with its non-gardening purpose. In this post, we’ll cover a few different ways to make your seed bombs and the rationale behind them.
Why Make Your Seed Bombs?
Let’s talk about why someone would want to make seed bombs in the first place before we address how to make plan table seed bombs. Making your seed bombs is a great idea for several reasons:
- Utilizing seed bombs to sow in hard-to-reach areas.
- A scattering of your wildflower seeds can add colour to a desolate scene.
- With the help of seed bombs, you can grow in “restricted” spaces.
- You can creatively start and organize seeds in your yard.
There are other methods for creating seed bombs, and we will discuss a number of them, including the Fukuoka Method, which is arguably the most effective.
No matter the method you use, a making seed bomb in large quantities is quite simple and requires very few supplies.
Methods for Making DIY Seed Bombs
When creating and dispersing seed bombs, keep this crucial advice in mind: never, ever use seeds from invasive species in your area. The early benefits of creating seed balls will be outweighed if you prevent the invasive species in your area from sprouting.
Because native wildflower seed bombs are already tailored to the local climate and geology, they not only increase the likelihood that your attempt will succeed but also save a tonne of time and labour.
The size of your seed bombs is the last thing to think about. The balls ought to resemble tiny clay pellets that you could purchase from the shop. These typically have a diameter of no more than 1/2 inch.
Methods for Making DIY Seed Bombs
Egg Method
The gardeners themselves developed this technique as a substitute for the traditional clay ball approach. The flower seeds are placed in a sterilized egg as opposed to being encased in clay.
To create your own explosive egg-seed bomb recipe, you’ll need the following:
- A needle
- A bowl
- Seed mix
- Eggs; use as many as you’d like to spread around
First, use the needle to poke holes in the top and bottom of the egg. Subsequently, use your lips to blow the egg into the bowl. Use the eggs to cook with as necessary.
Cook the egg shells for fifteen minutes at a time in a pot of boiling water. Please be careful not to crack the eggs. A single-serve seed bomb is contained in every egg. Any that you won’t be using right away should be kept in a dry, cold location.
Paper Mache Method
This is not just clay, and there is no eggshell container for these DIY seed bombs. Rather, moistened and reconstituted paper is used to wrap the seeds. If you’re constructing seed bombs with kids or just for your benefit, add some colourful construction paper!
The following ingredients are needed to make these DIY seed bombs:
- Seed mix
- Compost
- Several pieces of construction paper, recycled paper, or old newspaper
- Food processor
First, cut your construction or recycled paper into 1-inch-by-1-inch pieces. Next, move the segments to a small dish and cover them with water. Sort colours into separate bowls if you’d like. Give them a 20- to 30-minute soak.
If the recycled paper pulp is too dry to roll into balls, add a little water to the mixture. Then simply roll them into balls, and presto! You have colourful, eye-catching seed balls. Before the bombing, allow them to solidify and dry for 24 to 48 hours.
Fukuoka Method
The seed bomb technology was created by Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka. Gardeners use natural clay, sometimes referred to as the “Earth Dumping Method,” to bind floral seeds into seed balls that quickly adapt to their surroundings.
You can also get clay powder from your local garden center to avoid having to obtain it locally. When the seeds are still whole, compost and clay are often combined and formed into balls.
The following ingredients are needed to make this seed bomb recipe:
- 1 part seed mix; wildflower mixes are great for this
- A tray or bucket for mixing
- 3 parts sifted compost
- 5 parts sifted clay
- Water from a hose, watering can, or squirt bottle
Make sure the mixing tool you use is small enough for you to easily move around. Start by adding all of your ingredients to the tray and thoroughly mixing them. Next, pour in a tiny bit of water.
As you gently rock the tray or bucket in a circular motion, little clay balls filled with seeds will begin to develop. Repeat with additional water added. All of the materials in your tray will eventually ball up into seeds. Before distributing them, let them settle for 24 to 48 hours in a cool, dry location to solidify.
How to Spread DIY Seed Bombs
Now that your wildflower bombs are complete, it’s time to sow the seeds! Pay close attention to these directions to avoid wasting time, effort, or, most importantly, seeds.
Seed Bombing Your Neighbourhood
Even though it could be fun to take a stroll around the area and hurl seed bombs there, you should exercise caution when doing so. You’ll save time, labour, and seeds by doing this.
It’s not appropriate to throw seed bombs into your neighbour’s yard. Moreover, throwing them onto a construction site wouldn’t be a smart decision, no matter how enticing it might be. Avoid putting the sprouts in places where they could be bumped, cut, or otherwise disturbed. Even the overgrown brook behind your house is functional.
Sowing Seed Bombs At Home
It’s much simpler to observe your accomplishments and shortcomings when you’re at home, and planting plants you like in your yard can be enjoyable. To plant your wildflower bombs or seed bombs, there are a few different methods.
To find out which seeds are most viable, you can also plant your wildflower bombs in pots. It’s a terrific idea to plant seeds using a more regulated technique if you’ve decided to test which of the aforementioned seed bomb kinds is best. You should notice sprouts in a few weeks if you put them in a sunny place.
FAQ
Do DIY seed bombs work?
In general, yes, especially if you plant native wildflower seed bombs in areas that are not impacted. Then, you can use natural plants to feed wildlife!
How can clay be used to manufacture seed bombs?
Neither of the two techniques we’ve covered requires clay. In one, the seeds are contained in a paper-mache ball, and in the other, an egg serves as the container.
Can you use any seeds to create seed bombs?
Yes, to put it briefly. On the other hand, it is most likely best to use seeds that are already compatible with the climate and geology of your area. This will guarantee your achievement!