Seed Bombs
Spring into action with a guerilla garden! Seed bombs are a great way to plant seeds in a hard to reach place or a place where there isn’t time to dig up the soil, such as roadsides and urban areas. Originating in Japan, Seed bombs, known as Tsuchi Dango, means “earth dumpling.”
Materials:
- Scrap Paper
- Water
- Cake Pop Mold or Half Circle Silicone Mold
- Washi / Masking Tape or Craft Glue
- Towels
- Strainer
- Potting Compost
- Seeds
- Large Bowl
- Mixer / Blender
Step 1: Tear paper into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add water and allow it to soak. If possible, allow it to soak in the water overnight.
Step 2: Place the soaked paper in a blender. Pulse in the blender to create a pulp. Add water as needed.
Step 3: Remove the paper pulp from the blender and strain. Make sure to keep some water in the pulp. Doing so will make it easier to shape the pulp in the molds.
Step 4: Mold the paper pulp onto the walls of the mold leaving the center empty for seeds to be added later.
Step 5: Dry out the seed pods. You can do this naturally overnight or leave them in a warm oven.
Step 6: Once dry, fill one of the pods with seeds and soil. Fill another one with only potting soil.
Step 7: Join together the seed half and the plain half with washi tape or craft glue.
Step 8: Plant your seed bomb in a pot or in an outdoor garden bed.
Learning and Discussion Questions:
1. Germination is the process by which an organism grows from a seed or a similar structure. Watch this video to learn about germination. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE6xptjgNR0
2. Give a friend or family member a seed bomb as a gift. Package your seed bombs by wrapping them in cheesecloth or scrap fabric and secure by gathering the fabric together at the top and tying it with a ribbon.
Thank you to our sponsor, PNC Arts Alive!, for helping to make this video possible!
