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SEED BOMB WORKSHOP

at the healing house in cuzco, peru

it was a lovely sunday for a workshop on guerilla gardening.

we gathered on the grassy terrace, talking.

what are seed bombs? where did they come from?

(this is only my thoughts, not an official history)

masanobu fukuoka was a natural farmer. he observed nature thoroughly.

he believed in no tilling, no weeding, no compost, no fertilizer, no digging, no working.

he developed this method as a way to spread genetic material, mimicking nature.

and i wouldn’t call it work: it was so very fun.

he used this to un-desertify grasslands and to plant his rice and cover crops.

his method was adapted by many, now you can buy commercial seed bombs, some even in the shape of guns or grenades.

city gardeners looking to brighten public or neglected areas took to this method because it is low profile (unless you throw them like me with big eeeeeeeeeeeeeyuh SHHHPHEW grenade sound effects).

keep in mind, it is illegal in private property. and very likely in public property. use common sense.

and, very importantly, use local, native, non-invasive varieties. ideally ones you got from a seed bank or saved yourself.

i used seeds from plaza tupac amaru. they sell flowers, herbs and vegetable seeds there, mostly from peruvian gardens, so that is what i made seed bombs out of.

little vegetable garden bombs.

throw your seed bombs wherever you want to see life and beauty thriving.

the seeds are protected by the clay from being eaten by birds before the rain comes along to dissolve the clay and plant the seeds. it’s a perfectly timed grenade, set off by nature.

HOW TO MAKE SEED BOMBS

use ratio of 1:1:5 seeds:rich soil:clay.

we measured with our eyeballs. we used some delicious worm castings. and i just walked up into the hills and started digging around until i found some earth that stuck together (relatively) when i squeezed it in my hand. just avoid using sandy soil. you can use powdered clay mix as well. i just like free things.

mix all together. slowly add water and mix with hands (very fun) until all is able to be clumped.

make the balls! i prefer to make them small, with only a few seeds in each ball. we made them a little large, but who knows, maybe that’s actually better.

lay the balls out in the sun to dry.

have extenstential conversation about everything (optional, but highly recommended we got into the pineal gland and my views on how the earth is like our body. we have skin and hair protecting us, just like she has plants and dirt. when you dig, you’re gashing her skin. when you pull weeds, you’re pulling her hair. do, however, feel free to give mother nature a haircut. she rather likes that.)

now you’re ready to launch a war on lonely land! shower the world in abundance! spread joy like napalm!

with generosity and love,

lily