Adobe Seedballs

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No Adobe seedball production in the lower school.

Adobe seed balls are the best way we have found to propagate our wildflower hill at FWCD near the lower school.  Using a mix of native Texas wildflower and bluebonnets, all students in grades 1-4 made seed balls in the fall.  They needed to dry for a few days before the students scattered them on the hill.  This year, high school students came down to the lower school to assist the younger students during the seedball making lesson.

Middle school students use the same seedball technique to reseed the section of the prairie being restored on campus.  The only difference is that the seeds used have been collected during plant rescues from local prairies.  The Project Prairie students from the high school visit sites about to be destroyed by development, identify native grasses and wildflowers, collect the seedheads from desirable plants and separate the seeds from other plant parts.  John Snowden, a native grass expert, has helped students identify desirable plants as well as taught students seed collection techniques.

Adobe Seedballs

Recipe:       1 part dry seeds (wildflower mix),

3 parts dry organic compost,

5 parts dry red clay, finely powdered. 

Mix dry ingredients and add 1-2 parts water a little at a time until the clay mix is easily workable.  Roll into 1/2 inch balls and place on a try to dry for 1-2 days.  When dry, broadcast seed balls onto a dirt area.  Water or wait for rain to allow seeds to germinate.