Seed Bombing for Biodiversity

It’s not new news that biodiversity is the way to healthy ecosystems, and healthy crops within an ecosystem, but what’s the easiest way to achieve that!? The most effective way to give your biodiversity a boost is with wild flower seed bombing.

Seed bombing was first developed by Masanobu Fukuoka when he wanted to sow his rice fields without flooding or ploughing. The system involves encasing seed in a mixture of clay and other substrates to create a capsule that can be broadcast without seed drills or machinery of any kind. The clay case offers protection from birds and rodents, while also covering the seed enough to keep it moist for germination.

Seed bombing is a powerful tool, so be careful what you sow. This mix contains 20 indigenous British perennial wildflowers. We know that these aren’t going to upset the ecosystem as they would already be growing in the area if it wasn’t for agricultural practices wiping them out. We also know that they can survive in the shaded margins, and won’t compete for valuable crop growing space.

For this mix the casing is made from 15 litres of very wet clay. Coconut coir is then added until the mix becomes firm enough to handle. The mix is chosen for it’s low nutrient, that wildflower needs to get going. There’s 100g of seed in this mix that should give an ideal 4-5 seeds per bomb. The beauty of the coir is that it will continue to soak up the moisture and firm up the bombs for a few hours after forming.

The bombs have been left to set in egg trays, as this keeps them in shape and soaks up any remaining water. They stay in these trays for a couple of days before being thrown all around the hedge lines of the growing spaces. Being perennials they’ll take a couple of years to really establish, but other than a couple of hours making and throwing the bombs, they’ll make a huge ecological difference, and a lot of beauty for years to come.

To find out more about how the diversity factor helps with your crops take a look at this article.