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pollinator
Posts: 259
Location: Pacific Northwest
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I made some seed balls today at the skip event.

Here's a list of species I used.  There's also some mystery seeds I threw in for funnies.  Perennials are indicated by a P

Lovage  P
Parsnip
Cherry  P
Sage P
Asparagus P
Walnut P
Peas
Clover
Catnip P
Mustard
Columbine
Calendula
Sunflower
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my seeds
my seeds
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in the mix
in the mix
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smooshing
smooshing
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6 lbs!
6 lbs!
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Seed balls at SKIP
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List and seeds
List and seeds
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Making process
Making process
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4 pounds!
4 pounds!
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Posts: 29
Location: Miami Valley, Ohio
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During the 2024 SKIP workshop I made 4 1/4 lbs of seed balls. I tried enveloping a larger tree seed in the mix of smaller seed just to see how well it would work. Discovered the size of the walnuts wasn’t problematic but their smooth surface was. I still managed to form viable seed balls but the tactic would work better with rougher “nuts” or if I scarified them first. My seed mix included:

Chickling Vetch
Sweet Yellow Clover
Wheat
Lovage (perennial)
English Walnut (perennial)
Cherry (perennial)
Sage (perennial)
Asparagus (perennial)

IMG_7473.jpeg
Seeds, sans walnut, before adding to the mix
Seeds, sans walnut, before adding to the mix
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Seeds in my mixing container
Seeds in my mixing container
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Walnuts, which I later encased in seed ball cob
Walnuts, which I later encased in seed ball cob
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Laughing at one of Carissa’s jokes while making seed balls
Laughing at one of Carissa’s jokes while making seed balls
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Just over four pounds
Just over four pounds
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Note: Free Range Seedballs!

 
Posts: 77
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Mike Haasl wrote:This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Foraging.

Seed balls are a technique for planting stuff without planting it.  Just assemble the seeds in a ball of compost and clay and chuck them into places where you want plants to show up.  The compost brings fertility to the process.  The clay holds the ball together and gives the seeds something to germinate in once there is water present.



To complete this BB, the minimum requirements is to make at least 4 lbs (fresh weight) of seed balls/bombs:
      o at least an inch in diameter
      o can either be used immediately or quickly dried for storage (before the seeds germinate)
      o at least six different species in each ball/bomb
          - at least four of the species are perennials
          - possible species:
             o nettle
             o dandelion
             o maple
             o mulberry
             o apricots
             o apples
             o black locust
             o sepp grain
             o daikon radish
             o alfalfa
             o tomato
             o sunflower
             o lupine
             o squash
             o kale
             o turnip
             o cherry

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following:
 - A picture of the seeds in your mixing container
 - The balls/bombs being created
 - A picture of the finished balls on a scale showing the weight
 - A listing of the seeds you used

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The perennial seeds I used were: asparagus, artichoke, apple and thyme. The rest are: lupine,miners lettuce, radish, arugula, chard, parsley and carrots.
The perennial seeds I used were: asparagus, artichoke, apple and thyme. The rest are: lupine,miners lettuce, radish, arugula, chard, parsley and carrots.
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I mixed the seeds with cay and soil from the creek
I mixed the seeds with cay and soil from the creek
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[Thumbnail for IMG_4343.jpeg]
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pollinator
Posts: 312
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Mud kitchen fun today! Made 4 lb 7.65 oz of seed balls. I will be drying these to use later.

Here are the seeds I used:

St. johns wort (P)
Ground plum (P)
Meadowsweet (P)
Giant Turkish plantain (P)
Yarrow (P)
Gentian (P)
Sedum (P)
Coral bells (P)
Nodding onions (P)
Witch hazel (P)
Wild flower mix (P/A)
Bachelor buttons (A)
Pansy (A)
Calendula (A)
Chervil (A)
Zinnia (A)
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my seeds in my mixing bowl
my seeds in my mixing bowl
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my first seed ball, isn't it cute?
my first seed ball, isn't it cute?
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zeroed scale
zeroed scale
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bowl full of balls
bowl full of balls
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close up of reading 4 lbs 7.65 oz
close up of reading 4 lbs 7.65 oz
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Note: Congratulations and thank you for captioning your photos!

 
Posts: 11
Location: Catskill Mountains, NY
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Hi! I love the idea of making seed balls--can anyone weigh in on if/how well they worked? And any species or techniques that were particularly successful or unsuccessful? Thank you!
 
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