Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:24 pm
Species extinction is an acute problem that more and more people are actively working to combat. In cities, too, species conservation has gained momentum with the urban gardening movement. Community gardens are being set up between paved streets, insects are buzzing in colorful flower meadows in public spaces, insect hotels are being set up in parks, and high-rise building roofs are being used by amateur beekeepers. Even though species extinction is a major problem, it is quite easy to do something about it. Every single one of us can become active for the protection of species without much effort. A simple possibility is the greening of areas with so-called seed bombs.
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Species protection with homemade seed bombs
Seed bombs consist of soil, nutrients and seeds. This mixture gives seeds the necessary base to emerge even in poor initial conditions. Use seed bombs only in urban areas and never in a nature reserve. Whether green traffic islands, tree grates, railroad embankments or fallow land – the balls can be placed almost anywhere in the city. The important thing is to make sure that you only plant them in public areas and not on private property.
Meanwhile, there are many different seed bombs or seed bomb kits available for purchase. I will show you how to make the seed balls yourself with just a few simple steps. This is not only a lot of fun for kids, but also a great DIY gift idea.
Make seed bombs yourself: Choosing the right ingredients
To ensure that the seeds of the homemade seed bombs also come up successfully, it is worthwhile to think about the right seeds in advance. Basically, the choice should fall on native varieties adapted to the respective location. Of course, the selection of insect-friendly plant varieties is the focus here. For the production of the seed balls, simple garden or compost soil is suitable. Clay is used to ensure that the individual components hold together in the form of a ball. It is available in a variety of forms – as clay powder, mineral soil or cat litter. The latter offers an inexpensive alternative and can be found in almost every supermarket. This is a mixture of different clays. When buying, however, you should make sure that the cat litter consists of pure bentonite and does not contain any additives such as fragrances.
Instructions for making seed bombs yourself
Here you can download the instructions for making your own seed bombs as a PDF.
You need
for approx. 12 balls
- 2 tsp insect-friendly organic seeds
- 10 tbsp. soil
- 10 tbsp. clay, clay or cat litter made of bentonite
And this is how it works
- Mix the soil with the seeds.
- Add the clay. If cat litter or bentonite is used, crush it a bit with a mortar beforehand.
- Slowly add a little water to the mixture until it becomes a smooth, but still firm mass.
- Form balls from the mass and let them dry for a few days.
Tip for making seed bombs yourself
Since the seeds can start to germinate quickly, it is important not to use too much water. Drying and storing the balls in a place protected from light is also beneficial. If stored in a cool, dry place, the seed bombs can be kept for up to two years.
Have you also had experience with homemade seed bombs? Then I look forward to more tips on how to make them in the comments!