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Wildflower Seed Balls

6

Wildflower Seed Balls

Time:20 min Difficulty:Easy  

Did you know you can create a meadow oasis in your backyard AND have fun doing it? Seed balls help disperse plants, and reinforce your local pollinator population. Here’s one way to make them!

Be sure to wait until after the last spring frost to try this! After a rainy day is ideal.

Here’s what you need:

  • Mixing bowl
  • Tap water
  • 3 sheets of scrap paper: could come from newspapers, flyers, or construction paper (whatever you can find!)
  • 2-3 tablespoons native wildflower seeds or native meadow seeds
    Tip: Make sure only to use native wildflower species. Invasive species can cause large environmental problems and can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem.
  • 1/2 cup of peat-free compost soil (optional)
  • Blender or food processor
  • Help from an adult

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Shred your scrap paper into small pieces and place them in the mixing bowl.

Step 2:

Fill the mixing bowl with water and leave your paper scraps to soak for 20-30 mins.

Step 3:

Once your paper scraps have softened, drain the water. Place the paper scraps into the food processor or blender and blend the paper until a mushy pulp forms.

Squeeze the paper pulp to drain some of the water (if needed) and place it in a separate bowl. 

Step 4:

Add your wildflower seeds and compost soil (if you’ve chosen to use it). Mix everything together well and then form the mixture into small balls (about the size of a golf ball).

Step 5:

Set your seed balls aside for a few hours to dry a little. Don’t wait any longer than a day, though, to play with the seed balls! Whatever game you make up, be sure it ends with the seed balls on the ground and spaced out appropriately. They will need contact with the soil to grow out eventually!

Be sure not to throw your seed bombs on private property or in someone’s garden without permission. Find a place that is neglected and won’t cause disturbances! Don’t forget to check on the spot, but be patient – remember that seeds take 15-25 days to germinate.

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