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Seed Bombing

series: DIY | added: March 18, 2008

Produced by Hassan S. Ali and Dorothee Royal-Hedinger

Hear ye, city dwellers: Spring is here, and for those of you surrounded by urban sprawl, it’s time to show your neighborhood greenery some love.

“Seed bombing” involves planting flowers on barren land that’s otherwise hard-to-reach or simply not conducive to plant growth, such as construction sites, abandoned lots, and even alleys and sidewalks.

In this episode of “DIY,” we give it a shot for ourselves.

(Photo credits, via Creative Commons License: North Avenue Beach, Skyline, Millenium Park)

LINKS

Guerrilla Gardening Tips. Contrary to popular belief, a "Seed Ball" isn't a prom for adolescent seedlings. Here's a humorous and fun-to-read guide on what's involved in a night full of seed bombing.
The Man Behind Seed Balling. A 1982 interview with Masanobu Fukuoka, the Japanese farmer who re-introduced the ancient technique of "no-till farming," which includes seed balling. Fukuoka remains a legend within the guerrilla gardening movement.

Reader Comments

Comment Number:: 1
Written by:: John Mark Rozendaal
Posted on:: March 19, 2008 at 9:12 am

Dorothea, this is FABULOUS ! !

Comment Number:: 2
Written by:: Ron Gorny
Posted on:: March 19, 2008 at 1:39 pm

I’m so proud of you!!! There’s definitely an Oscar in the future, so don’t forget your promise! Seedball Guerrillas arise! What have you got to lose but your ugly lots. I’ll be looking for the sequel in the late spring/early summer, some time after the seedballs break into bloom.

Comment Number:: 3
Written by:: aec
Posted on:: March 19, 2008 at 10:33 pm

whats the clay for?

Comment Number:: 4
Written by:: Dorothee
Posted on:: March 20, 2008 at 8:14 am

The clay is used to soak in and hold moisture so the seeds can begin to germinate. Then once there are heavy rains, the clay breaks apart and dissolves (and bio-degrades) so that the seeds can root in the soil.

Comment Number:: 5
Written by:: aec
Posted on:: March 20, 2008 at 8:43 am

That makes sense!

What sort of seeds did you use? Are you going to bring us pictures of your seed-bombed-out lots when they bloom?

Comment Number:: 6
Written by:: Dorothee
Posted on:: March 20, 2008 at 8:49 am

We used sunflower seeds and yeah, we’ll have to see about making an update.

Comment Number:: 7
Written by:: Julie Penn
Posted on:: March 20, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Thanks to Ron Gorny for passing this on to his fellow College Advisers — I think I’ve found a new project for me and my kids!

Comment Number:: 8
Written by:: Hassan
Posted on:: March 20, 2008 at 3:24 pm

As long as you put on the face paint!

Comment Number:: 9
Written by:: grgry
Posted on:: March 22, 2008 at 9:55 pm

not to rain on your efforts with cynicism but why?! do?! this?!
you silly young hipsters

Comment Number:: 10
Written by:: jan muller
Posted on:: March 30, 2008 at 3:51 pm

i get “why do this”. if you gotta walk or bike past the same brutalist brownfields
day in and day out, it’s less of an assault on the eye, nose and soul if it’s full of lush plant life. try a wrist-rocket for those hard to reach areas.

another timely piece. thanks.

Comment Number:: 11
Written by:: Erica
Posted on:: April 6, 2008 at 1:32 pm

Did that this weekend with my boyfriend in Chicago! Was a really fun time. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!

Comment Number:: 12
Written by:: Tony :-)
Posted on:: April 16, 2008 at 8:29 am

Great Idea but pitty it has to be “inspired” by war…

I’m Pro-Peace and I think it could have been used another name, like chocolate seed bliss! Ha ha ha…

Comment Number:: 13
Written by:: Bob Runkle
Posted on:: May 28, 2008 at 12:39 pm

Really good idea, and can be used all over the country! Even in suburban and rural areas. Peace, Bob

Comment Number:: 14
Written by:: Dorothee
Posted on:: June 11, 2008 at 11:33 am

My mom always said, “copying is the highest form of flattery”: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2008/apr/25/seedbombing
It seems the Guardian newspaper took some inspiration from Fresh Cut’s seedbombing video…