Seed ball making workshop for children

Teshu, the programme facilitator shares “We had planned this as a fun activity. Making seed balls is one of the easiest ways to get children to reflect on how nature can take care of itself with very little help from us. We started the workshop with an ice breaking session followed by games. There was so much energy and enthusiasm. I spoke to them about the history of seed balls.

 

First made popular by the ‘guerilla gardening movement’ in the 1970’s, seed balls were used to grow plants in urban landscapes and neglected public spaces. The technique for creating seed balls was rediscovered by Japanese natural pioneer - Masanobu Fukoka. This technique is believed to have been used in ancient Egypt to repair farms after the annual spring flooding of the Nile.

We had brought 5 different types of seeds – Honge, Cashew, Tamarind, Mahogany and Moringa. Seeds are rolled within a ball of clay, with additives such as humus, compost or cow dung. These are placed around the seeds, at the center of the ball, to provide microbial inoculants.

Children split into groups and started working together as a team. Watching the kids enjoying themselves, some parents also expressed their interest to join. The adults then sat on one side and they also started making seed balls. In a span of 40 minutes nearly 75 seed balls were made.

The children were thrilled to take back with them two seed balls each. They said that after drying the seed balls, they will ensure that it is dispersed in a barren land near their home or on the way to school.

I feel that  making seed balls is a simple way in which children feel they can contribute to making the world greener. It offers an opportunity to get your hands dirty, spend some time outdoors, and learn about native plants and why they’re important.”