“Seed bomb!” This is the request of the investigators in this last step of the Implement and Connect chapter. Tomorrow begins the fourth and final chapter of this guide, with three more tasks to plant your mini-forest.
Why?
In Task 7 we covered the soil with mulch to, among other benefits, prevent the growth of unwanted species. However, this effect could affect the herbaceous layer brought by annual plants in the first years of ecological succession. This layer is fundamental in the first years to give time to the permanent plants of superior layers to grow.
For this, they can produce seed bombs, small balls of clay, compost and native seeds, to throw after planting, promoting even more ties between the community! The clay absorbs and accumulates moisture and the compost provides food, so the seeds contained in these balls, thrown over the dead blanket, have some competitive advantage in germination and development. The plants will grow and flower next spring and their smells and colors will attract the insects and the sounds of their symphonies.
As?
- Place clay and compost in bowl (approximately 40% and 60% respectively), add water and mix;
- Handle and try to make a small ball (5-10 cm in diameter). If you can, the mixture is ready. In case the ball still falls apart, add some clay and water;
- After the mixture has the desired consistency, break the ball again and add seeds. Mix again;
- Now, with the seeds, make balls with the size described above and let them dry for a few hours in the sun, on top of the canvas;
- Once dry, drop the bombs and celebrate!
The task of producing seed bombs can be done in advance by storing them in a dry place.
Resources:
- someone;
- Compound;
- Clay (red, preferably);
- Water;
- Native species seeds;
- Canvas.
Attention! After dropping the seed bombs, water the forest so the seeds start to germinate!
This guide was promoted by the ONGD VIDA, within the scope of the project “1Planet4All Empowering youth, living EU values, tackling climate change” with funding from the European Union (DEAR Programme) and Camões, IP Facilitated by 2adapt, in collaboration with Laboratório Vivo para The Sustainability (FCUL), HortaFCUL, Alfredo dos Reis Silveira Secondary School, Army Pupils Institute, URBEM, TOMA