Make our epic seed ball launcher
Want to plant some beautiful wildflowers, but don't fancy bending down and digging holes? Well now you don't have to! Make our amazing wildflower seed balls and catapult them into the garden with an epic launcher! You'll find everything you need to make the seed balls and launcher below. Have fun!
- Recycled cardboard crisp tube
- Recycled plastic bottle
- Pencil
- 2 large rubber bands
- Scissors
- Tape
- Coloured paper, pens and paints (optional)
- 100g compost
- 15g plain flour
- Small jug of water
- 1 x packet of seeds (make sure to use native seeds and check when they can be planted)
- Paprika (optional)
- Rubber or gardening gloves
Our seed ball launcher is intended for outdoor use only and should only be used under supervision of a grown-up.
How to make the launcher
First up, we're going to make the launcher. There's some tricky cutting-out involved, so make sure you have a grown-up to help you!
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Step one
With the help of a grown-up, cut off the end of the crisp tube so it's open at both sides and you can see all the way through.
You can now decorate your tube using paper, pens, paints... or anything you fancy!
Step two
With your scissors, cut two slits on each side about 3cm in depth.Â
Grab your rubber bands and put one each side inside the incision. Then use tape to secure them in place.
Step three
Ask a grown-up to cut two holes into the neck of your recycled plastic bottle - each hole needs to be parallel with the other. Poke your pencil through both holes so it goes all the way through the bottle.
Step four
Pop your bottle inside the tube and hook the rubber bands onto each end of the pencil. Your launcher is now ready to go! But hang on, we don't have anything to launch from it yet...
It must be time to make those seed balls!
Let's make some seed balls!
These instructions should make six seed balls. If you want to make more, just add more compost, flour and water.
Step one
Add the compost, flour and seeds to a large mixing bowl.
Top tip - to prevent birds from eating your seed balls, add a pinch of paprika at this stage. This won't harm the seeds or the birds, they just don't like the taste!
Step two
Gradually add in the water, mixing as your pour. Keep adding water slowly until the mix feels sticky like dough.
Step three
Separate your seed compost mixture into six golfball sized balls. Leave them to air dry for 1-2 days.
Top tip - an egg carton makes a great storage device!
Step four
It's launch time!!
Grab your launcher, pop in a seed ball and launch into the garden as far as you can! Don't forget to check where they land so you know where your beautiful flowers will grow!
We would love to know if you've made our epic seed ball launcher, just like Richie and Aishwarya! Leave us a comment below and let us know how yours turned out.
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