In 1973 Liz Christy took balloons and filled them with fertilizer and seeds. These seed grenades were thrown over fences, in empty lots, and hard to reach or off limit places. The idea was that they would sprout, grow and beautify the neighborhood. This was the start of the Green Guerrillas and the Guerrilla Gardening movement. Since then the balloons have been replaced by biodegradable containers, or, the seed balls or bombs contents is now encapsulated in clay or other absorbent material.
When making your bombs, choose seeds that are ideal for your growing area or zone. You can make bombs for sunny locations, and separate bombs for shady locations. You can choose annuals, perennials, flower or vegetable seeds. You can mix various seeds, provided they have similar growing needs. Also, the type of seeds will determine if your bombs should be tossed in the fall/winter or spring/summer.
Seed balls are fun, quick and easy to make. The clay runs about $8 (500g) a bag, the seed starter mix $4, and $7 on the wildflower seeds. You will also need water, something to measure with (or your hands) and a mixing bowl. For mixing, I went with 5 parts clay to 1 part dirt/compost and 1 part seeds.
 |
| Gather clay, compost, potting soil, or seed starter mix, and your seeds. |
 |
| Also known as potters clay. |
 |
| Seed starter mix |
 |
| Seeds that are good for the pollinators. |
 |
| Zoned for my growing area. |
 |
| I used a 5:1:1 ratio. Add enough water to moisten, like mud. |
 |
| Sorta looks like cookie dough. |
 |
| I made about 200. |
 |
| Allow to dry for about 3 days. |
