Avant Yard: seed bombs sow eco-friendly explosions

Sow wildflowers the fun way with seed bombs! The "bombs" -- balloons stuffed with a mixture of wildflower seeds, fertilizer, potting soil, and water -- are an eco-friendly innovation designed to encourage the spread of wildflower gardens.

These gardens can be created right in your own yard. Some folks are also using them to "regreen" ugly and neglected urban landscapes such as roadsides. Sure beats a bunch of barren concrete, don't you think?

Here's what you'll need: wildflower seeds of your choice, 1 funnel, 1 pack of water balloons, fertilizer pellets or powder, peatmoss or peat-based potting soil, and water. Use the funnel to hold the neck of each balloon open while you stuff in the "ingredients." Add the dry items first, then make sure to add enough water to make the whole mixture nice and wet.



Next, tie the neck closed and shake and knead the balloon a bit to ensure everything is well-mixed. Finally, it's time for the fun part: "exploding" them. Hurl your little seed grenades with all your might. Use a forceful over-arm throw so that the balloon bursts on impact. Woo-hoo!

Tips to consider:

1) Use seeds that are indigenous to your state/locale. Anything that grows wild in your landscape without human help is probably adapted for that area and tough as nails. For example, black-eyed Susan (rudbekia spp.) grows well here in Florida, so I chose them for my own experiment with the seed bomb technique.

2) Consider the weather. If you're in a northern/colder climate, wait 'till spring has well and truly sprung. Down here in the South, gardeners have more flexibility and can plant just about any time of year, particularly fall and spring.

3) Consider the location. Most wildflowers thrive in full sun and will fail when scattered in shady locations. Choose an open, exposed area. Do not bother sowing seeds underneath trees or up against the sides of buildings.

4) Try and explode your seed bombs when rain is forecast. That way Mother Nature can encourage the germination process. Note: by "rain" I mean some regular or gentle rain. I don't mean thunderstorm weather. That kind of heavy rain will wash the seeds away. Oops.

5) Be smart. Be considerate. Keep well away from private property and from public areas that have already been landscaped.

6) Finally, retrieve all of your spent balloons and dispose of them in the trash.

Check out my photo gallery to see how my own seed bomb session went. I have to say I'm not sure how effective these little puppies are because it's my first time trying it out. My concern is that the seeds will have a difficult time taking root in unprepared ground.

Still, I'm liking the concept because A) it's pretty easy to do, B) it's inexpensive, and C) it's fun, making it a great way to entertain the little kids in your household. Okay, and it's a lot of fun for the big kids too!

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