Seed Spheres
Materials
• Plastic Tupperware Box with Lid
• Seed Soil Pellet
• Water (Not included)
• Tongue Depressor
• Paper Cup
• Flour
• Marigold Seeds
Procedure
Using native plants to make and plant seed spheres is great for the environment. Native plants are plants that naturally grow in a given habitat or area. Native plants are great for habitats because they provide food and shelter for other native living things like animals and insects. When humans introduce non-native plants to an area, they can out compete the native plants, preventing the growth of proper food and shelter for those living things. When a species of living things is lost from a habitat, it can set off a chain reaction that destroys the entire habitat, since the different types of living things in an ecosystem interact with and depend on one another. Adding native plants is also beneficial as the leaves convert carbon dioxide into oxygen to produce cleaner air, and the roots hold the soil together to prevent erosion to the soil caused by wind and water. Additionally, the beautiful plants may encourage you or people like you to go outside and enjoy them, which is great for your health and wellness!
• Plastic Tupperware Box with Lid
• Seed Soil Pellet
• Water (Not included)
• Tongue Depressor
• Paper Cup
• Flour
• Marigold Seeds
Procedure
- Remove the netting from the soil pellet, and place the pellet in the plastic Tupperware container.
- Fill the paper cup with water. Pour a small amount of water on the pellet, and watch it grow as it absorbs the water.
- Keep adding small amounts of water until the pellet is fully saturated, and break it apart using the tongue depressor.
- Add the flour. Stir using the tongue depressor.
- Add water little by little. Stir constantly until the mixture forms a moldable ‘dough’ that does not stick to your hands.
- Roll the ‘dough’ into approximately 9 ping pong ball-sized spheres.
- Add 5 marigold seeds to each sphere by pressing them into the dough. Add any other native seeds that you have as well. Do not add too many seeds, as this will cause overcrowding that prevents growth.
- Place the spheres on the lid of the tray to dry for several hours. After 8-24 hours, the spheres will be hardened and ready to use.
- Seed Spheres are very easy to use and distribute—just place or toss them in soil beds where you’d like the plants to grow. Their weight will keep them from blowing away, their firmness will keep animals from digging into them and eating the seeds, the starter soil will retain moisture, and the flour will aerate the soil and fertilize the plants.
Using native plants to make and plant seed spheres is great for the environment. Native plants are plants that naturally grow in a given habitat or area. Native plants are great for habitats because they provide food and shelter for other native living things like animals and insects. When humans introduce non-native plants to an area, they can out compete the native plants, preventing the growth of proper food and shelter for those living things. When a species of living things is lost from a habitat, it can set off a chain reaction that destroys the entire habitat, since the different types of living things in an ecosystem interact with and depend on one another. Adding native plants is also beneficial as the leaves convert carbon dioxide into oxygen to produce cleaner air, and the roots hold the soil together to prevent erosion to the soil caused by wind and water. Additionally, the beautiful plants may encourage you or people like you to go outside and enjoy them, which is great for your health and wellness!