Seed Bombs

Tsuchi dango (Earth dumplings) were invented in the 1950s by a Japanese farmer named Masanobu Fukuoka as a way to store seeds for next season’s crops. These seed balls could be planted without tilling and resulted in stronger plants, as the seeds were protected by the balls during germination. Today seed bombs are used to regenerate land after natural disasters and by geurilla gardners to add plant life to urban areas.

We made seed bombs with some of our friends this summer. It was simple and messy and fun. I purchased a big bag of region appropriate seeds. Then we pulled out a bunch of shredded paper. Plastic containers were perfect for the kids to mix the seeds, paper, and water and then shake until they were all mixed. They formed the balls with their hands and carried them home in repurposed egg cartons.