Help the Student Conservation Association create buzz for pollinator habitats with this fun activity! Check out the video module below (originally created to celebrate Earth Day) to learn how to make a seed ball.
Wildflower seed balls are great for a family friendly, at-home activity, or a competitive team-builder. Seed balls are a cluster of seeds wrapped in a ball of soil and clay that you can throw in areas where traditional planting is difficult. You can toss them right in your own backyard or “plant” in a pot on your windowsill.
What’s a pollinator habitat?
Pollinator habitats are home to wildflowers, companion plants, and a dynamic system of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These habitats can be found in all different shapes and sizes from the California coast to the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. They provide food and shelter for their fellow pollinator residents.
Who are pollinator residents?
Pollinators are animals that transfer pollen from one flower to another allowing the plant to be fertilized and create seeds to reproduce. Pollinators can be insects such as bees or butterflies, as well as birds, bats, and more.
Why do these habitats need help?
More than 75% of the Earth’s flowering plants depend on bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators. These habitats are threatened by urban sprawl and excessive use of pesticides as well as a myriad of other environmental disruptions.
What can I do with my seed ball?
You can “plant” your seed ball by throwing it in a patch of soil. Try to pick a spot with lots of direct sunlight where your wildflowers won’t be crowded out by competing plants. You can water it, but it’s not necessary. Make sure to take the seed ball out of the burlap bag when you plant it–although the bag is biodegradable, it will take much longer to decompose than the seed ball. Germination times will vary depending on the plant species in your seed ball, but it will be worth the wait!
You can help restore pollinator habitats by distributing native seeds, creating seed balls, and more. Your efforts will help provide the birds and bees with the food and shelter they need to survive.
