This post was originally published on June 20, 2014, but in honor of #FPEarthMonth, we just had to share again!
There’s nothing quite like the sight of a lush field of wildflowers. This was my favorite thing to look for on long road trips when I was growing up. I’d stare out the window as the car moved, hoping to catch a patch of openness where the sun was shining down, giving life to the brightly colored petals. Now when I see this, I don’t think twice before stopping the car to go dance with the stems swaying in the wind.
I still have the same feeling towards wildflowers, and I love that we always have some laying around our desks — fresh or dry — to use as picture props. When I heard about seed bombs, I couldn’t wait to make some. These little balls of life are meant to help build ecosystems, and if you aren’t quite the green-thumb, this just might be the easiest way ever to grow a field of flowers. From an empty lot, to your own backyard, flowers will begin to grow wherever you throw your seed bomb. I like the idea of doing this in a vacant grassy field. These also make awesome gifts for friends and loved ones!
What you need:
Wildflower Seeds
Soil
Air Dry Clay
Water
For my seed bombs, I used three packs of wildflower seeds. You can purchase these at any home & garden store.
The trick here is to make a mixture that is one part soil, one part seeds, and three parts clay.
Add in the soil next over the seeds.
Fold the three parts clay into the soil and seeds. Add in a little bit of water to soften up the clay and to help combine the mixture.
Once everything is well combined, start taking pieces of your mixture and rolling it into little balls. The air dry clay will take a couple days to harden. Once they are dry, pick a spot to start flower bombing! Wherever it lands, the hard clay will protect the seeds from being washed away from rain or picked up by critters. The clay will hold in water, helping to germinate the seeds, which the soil inside the ball will help to grow!
Seed bombs can make for great wedding favors too. I love the way a piece of burlap looks wrapped around them with a little dried flower tucked in the center. These look so cute placed around a table!
Have fun spreading the seed love :)
Check out more #FPEarthMonth ideas and projects from BLDG 25
More DIY projects from the BLDG 25 Blog.
love this photo set – and the wildflower idea is awesome! a friend hosted a seed bomb party a few years ago and it was a great (girly!) time, and even more fun chucking them around the city afterwards :)
I really love these photos and idea. Any tips as to where your rings came from? I love them.
http://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com
This is great! Wonderful idea. So simple to make.
Oh so cute! Great idea!
juliettelaura.blogspot.com
While this is a great idea, I caution people about using these generic “wildflower” seed packets. Most contain seeds that are not native to the regions where they are sold. The responsible thing to do is to use seed from plants native to your region. Contact your state or regional native plant society for more information about where to purchase native plant seed. http://www.ahs.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies
What a lovely post! I would love to try my hand making seed bombs. Is the air-dry clay a powder, or is it purchased in small “bricks”? I’ll keep an eye out for it in the shops!
I just made my own wild flower bombs!! Check them out @kaceyroyer on Instagram! Xx
These are so so sweet! I love the idea.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
Aww, these are so cute and pretty!
So cute! Lovely idea :)
http://woodlandhalls.wordpress.com
I too am curious as to the type of clay used.
What type of clay is used?
Where do you get the clay?
I’ve heard the clay is available at health/organic food stores and also at some big box stores cosmetic department. They sell the clay for facials…makes sense. I’ve tried planting wild flowers many times with poor results but this sounds like it might work.
I would have liked to see the picture of the clay in the package so we could see which clay to use or the used the brand name so we don’t buy the wrong thing. Great idea , love it!!!
Dear Lynne,
I thought that these seed bombs would work great in the meadow behind your house. I can just see all three of you out there sending your little seed bombs out after dark. What do you think?
This is such a great idea! To take it one step further, why not make Milkweed Seed Bombs, and bring back some Monarch Butterfly life-sustaining milkweed, which is being eradicated by widespread herbicide use. The Monarch Butterfly cannot survive without milkweed; they need it to lay their eggs on, and the Monarch caterpillars eat it exclusively.
These are such a great idea, but I can’t believe with all the questions about the clay, not one response?? :( Please let us know what kind of clay needs to be used.
so…when the seeds germinate and grow, do the clay balls beak open? I’m totally confused here.
I love the concept of “rebel gardeners”, this idea is contagious to me. I fell in love with a little blue flower called “Love in the Mist”. These flowers grow just about anywhere, so for Christmas one year, I collected them from my garden and sent them in my handmade Solstice Cards. Another idea is to spread Cosmos seeds around town bc they also grow just about anywhere. Milkweed is brilliant for sure.
My only concern is that you make sure that the seeds you are spreading are from plants that are native to the area that you are bombing. We don’t need to be spreading non-native species which could be invasive. There are plenty of groups and organizations that can help you with this. So, go ahead and bomb with native seeds.
what difference does it makes if the seeds are “native” or not–Flowers are flowers
when do you plant the seed bombs
My daughter is graduating high school, and I was interested in doing something memorable. This is perfect! Grow wherever you go will be the theme. Love this. Will post an update for you on how it worked out. I will be using native seed packets from my area. Thanks, Laurie
https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Air-Dry-Resealable-Classroom-Educational/dp/B001GIB3FQ
Air dry clay is sold on amazon