Seedballs, balls of earth with seeds inside, have been used by indigenous peoples the world over for centuries. In ancient Egypt Seedballs were used to repair farms and the banks of the Nile after the annual spring floods.
Masanobu Fukuoka (Japanese,farmer,philosopher, author “One Straw Revolution”) re-invented and advanced the use of Seedballs. He was a proponent of no-till, no-herbicide grain cultivation farming methods referred to as “Natural Farming” or “Do-nothing Farming”.
Several environmental conditions have caused the numbers of Monarch Butterflies to drop. There could be a loss of flowers where they get nectar caused by a drought in Mexico, or it is too cold overwinter both have an effect on the numbers of the Monarch Butterflies.
The worst factor for the monarch butterfly has been the expansion of crops planted in the Midwest that have been genetically manipulated to be resistant to the powerful herbicide Roundup. Planted in the grassland ecosystems where Monarchs breed. The Monarchs only breed on Milkweed. Milkweed usually grows in agricultural field, on the edges of fields and on the sides of roads.
With 108 species of milkweed in the United States , it is safe to say that the monarch migration evolved in connection with the evolution of Milkweed.
Seedballs are like pre-planted plants, making them with Milkweed seeds and Butterfly Friendly Wildflower seeds will result in a HAPPY HABITAT.
You need two tubs.
One for rinsing your muddy hands.
One for mixing ingredients
To an empty tub add three measures (use any container of measurement, today I am getting reuse out of a Talenti gelato e sorbetto container as a measure) of organic earth that has been sifted to remove sticks and stones.
Add one measure (use any container of measurement) of Butterfly Friendly wildflower seed mix the tub
Here is a list of Butterfly friendly wildflower seeds
Add a big handful of Milkweed seeds (I use Asclepias syriaca on the East Coast, find out your local variety) and mix the seeds and Earth.
Add five measures red clay powder
I also collect clay from river banks and excavated areas and sift it. The mix is rougher but it works great.
Mix all together, avoiding breathing the clay dust.
Add one measure of water and have a second one handy to use as needed.
Mix, mix, mix. Add water sparingliy until it’s the consistency of play dough.
Roll into a ball the size of a quarter
I use egg cartons to dry them for a couple days. This batch yielded 176 Butterfly and Hummingbird Friendly Wildfower Seedballs with (Asclepias syriaca) Milkweed for the Monarchs.
Happy Pollinator Habitat Building!
www.cliffspenger.com
To purchase Butterfly and Hummingbird Friendly Wildflower Seedballs and other related items
Contact me at [email protected]
- Seedballs,
- Make your own Seedballs premix (great for a group activity seniors, children, etc.),
- Butterfly and Hummingbird Friendly Wildflower Seed mix,
- Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias syriaca)
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