Make some wildflower seed balls

When’s the best time of year to make seedballs?

• Plan to make your seed balls during springtime. March and April are the best months to sow wildflowers.
• Buy a wildflower seed mix. Make sure you use UK-native wildflower seeds.
• You could also collect seeds or flower heads from wildflowers that have died in late summer or early autumn to save for the following year. You’ll need to dry the seeds  out on paper or kitchen roll and store them in an envelope.

Planning this activity

• You’ll need one or two buckets of peat-free compost. Make sure you have permission to use it. If possible, organic compost is the best option. 
• Cover a flat surface with newspaper or a washable tablecloth. Set out all the equipment you’ll need.
• Young people are likely to get messy, so kit them out with aprons and set up a hand washing station.
• The seed balls will take a while to dry, so it’s best to do this activity over two or more sessions.
• Once they’re dry, they can be kept in a cool, dry, dark place until you’re ready to use them.

Running this activity

1. Everyone in the group should talk about why wildflowers are important. Explain that wildflower areas support local wildlife and biodiversity, because they provide places for insects, birds and other small animals to feed and nest.
2. Tell everyone that wildflowers. especially important for bees, because they give them safe spaces to nest and hibernate. It’s important that we plant enough bee-friendly flowers to give them the food they need, because humans rely on bees to pollinate plants by moving pollen from one plant to another plant of the same type.

Create seed balls with powdered clay

1. Separate into groups of around four to six people. 
2. Each group should mix together one cup of seeds with five cups of peat-free compost.
3. They should then add two or three cups of clay powder.
4. Slowly mix in water until everything sticks together.
5. Roll the mixture into firm golf ball-sized balls.
6. Groups should place the balls on newspaper and leave them to dry in a warm place.

Create seed balls without powdered clay

1. Everyone should split into groups of around four to six people.
2. Add 10 cups of soil to a mixing bowl.
3. Now add one cup of flour to a mixing bowl and stir well. 
4. Slowly add water and continue to mix slowly, until the mixture becomes sticky. It should look and feel like dough.
5. When ready, roll the mixture into golf-ball size balls.
6. Fill a tray with wildflower seeds. You could add a sprinkle of paprika to stop birds from eating them, too. 
7. Roll your mud balls around until covered in seeds.
8. Groups should place the balls on another tray, on top of a sheet of greaseproof paper or newspaper
9. Leave them to dry in a warm place.

Throw the seed balls

1. Choose a safe place to throw the seed balls into. This area might be around the meeting area or in a community space you have permission to use. People could also take them home. Your area needs to be sunny, free of weeds and have well-drained soil.
2. Everyone should gather in their wildflower space. Together, they should throw the seed balls with enough force to burst and scatter them on the ground.
3. The space will need to be watered regularly. If there’s no rain forecast, you could make a watering rota.
4. When summer arrives, wait and see what grows.