On September 18th, the EcoAtivo team organized a Seed Bomb workshop. This technique involves growing plants by throwing balls made of clay, compost, and seeds. We taught how the process of making them works, and, working together, we made over 100 balls, which were then scattered across an open field. The balls contained seeds from 12 species of wildflowers, 3 legume species, wild radish, and rye. Together, these plants form very positive synergies for the ecosystem.
This technique, although very old, was popularized by Japanese farmer and microbiologist Masanobu Fukuoka. He is one of the pioneers of sustainable farming, having brought forward the idea of Natural Farming, or Wild Agriculture [1]. He believed in optimizing cultivation in synergy with the energy of Nature.Â
The idea is to make the most of natural resources, allowing nature to act with as little human interference in its natural cycle as possible. His work had a global impact, and he even received the Magsaysay Award in 1988 – often described as the Nobel Peace Prize of the Far East [2]. Through this technique, it’s possible to restore degraded areas, since it allows hundreds of trees to be sown in a single day with minimal resources. It’s also a great option for reaching hard-to-access places. The seed bombs don’t need to be buried or watered, they’ll germinate whenever the right conditions arise. It’s simple to make at home. Get inspired and try it yourself!
[1] – The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, New York Review Books. Published 1978, 2009 edition
[2] – Wikipedia contributors. (2021, August 26). Masanobu Fukuoka. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12:04, October 7, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masanobu_Fukuoka&oldid=1040743636
Maria Luiza Gazzola
Amante de viajar e apaixonada pela natureza.