Monday, April 4, 2011
True true
"No philosophy, theory, religion, or system of thought can be absolute and infallible. They are relative only. One man's opinion is just as good as another's." ~ Jack Parsons
My heart fluttered when I saw the mail man banging on the door
So so so excited for my seed paper to arrive in the mail this morning. Pretty pink and purple colour paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds.
The idea is that you write a pretty love note and give it to someone special, they plant it and wild flowers grow from the note.
How special!
Project for mothers day will start today - will keep you posted on the process
Ordered from Bloominpaper located on the North Shore in Auckland
Can't wait to do this with my class
As part of my conservation unit plan I'm going to attempt to get 32 children to make these! Just need to work out where to get the clay from?
SEED BALLS IN NEW ZEALAND
The use of seed balls as a method of recreating native habitat in New Zealand is both innovative
and exciting.
There is much interest from environmental organisations and individuals wishing to accelerate
the process of habitat creation.
The method is being used in other countries as an effective tool for re vegetation of degraded
landscapes, particularly in semi arid areas. Trials there have shown that the process is simple
and effective and can involve a whole range of people, from the very young to the elderly.
A seed ball on the ground, just prior to sprouting.
MAKING SEED BALLS
The process is similar to making chocolate truffles!
You will need seeds, compost, clay and water.
SEEDS
Collect seeds from as close as possible to the proposed restoration site. Clean and store each
type of seed according to its needs. Some seeds, such as manuka, need to be dried and stored in
a dark place. Pittosporum seeds, on the other hand, have to be separated from their sticky
coating before use. Wash and rub the seedpods in detergent to separate the seeds and then rinse
them well. Poroporo need to be treated like tomatoes, that is, set out to ripen until squishy,
mushed in a container of water, left to stand and ferment slightly, then pulped by hand to
separate seed from pulp. There are many good manuals describing the pre treatment of New
Zealand seeds. Common sense will ensure that you succeed.
Once you have a good supply of seed, you can mix them together in combinations such as you
would find naturally.
COMPOST
Compost collected from beneath the sorts of trees you plan to grow serves two purposes. The
sprouting seeds will use nutrients from the compost to grow, once they have exhausted their own
reserves. At the same time mycorrhiza, which will be found as spores or fragments in the
compost, will ‘partner up’ with the growing seed and begin its beneficial association with the
plant. These fungi appear to be essential to the successful establishment of native plants. The
compost needs to be sieved to remove stalks and leaves, then dried in a shaded place.
CLAY
The most suitable clay to use is red terracotta clay, collected from a site free of weed seed.
Often, digging deep will ensure that no unwanted seeds become part of the mix!
The clay needs to be dried and ground finely to ensure a lump free mixture. Two bricks can
serve as an effective grinder. Other clays, the blues and whites are not suitable for this process,
as they contain minerals, which interfere with the growth of the seedlings.
THE MIXING
Take one part seeds, add three parts compost and mix until the seeds are coated. Put in five parts
of powdered clay and mix the whole lot together. Add a little water, until the mixture is like
dough. Be careful not to use too much water. Pinch off a small amount of the mix, compress it
between your fingers then roll it between the palms of your hands. The seed ball should be the
size of a small marble and should feel ‘sound’. As you roll more and more seed balls, set them
out to dry in a shaded place. They will be dry in a few days and can be dispersed from that time
on.
Seed balls are the size of marblesSCATTERING
Seed balls don’t get planted. They are simply scattered about the site you wish to re vegetate.
They can be thrown, rolled, fired from a slingshot or dropped from a helicopter! Children love
to do this work and elderly people find it very rewarding to be able to take part in a project that
doesn’t require backbreaking digging!
The most suitable sites for ‘seed balling’ are those free from thick grasses. Exposed soil,
beneath exotic trees, broom and gorse, in pine forests, amongst native nurse plants, such as
manuka, on beach foreshores, amongst harakeke and so on.
There is no need to water the seed balls. They will absorb moisture from the ground, the dew
and the rain and will sprout when conditions are right. Many seeds will grow from a single seed
ball and the plant most suited to the micro-conditions of that site will prevail.
Seed balls are easy to make, light to transport and simple to apply. They ensure a very high strike
rate, protect seeds from birds and insects and can be spread in very difficult areas. They provide
an opportunity for an enjoyable community activity and they don’t cost anything!
Anna I love you
Not only am a huge Anna Paquin fan, total girl crush on Sookie Stackhouse, I love the ocean.
I'm so proud of Anna joining up and helping out WWF's save the Ocean campaign. In fact I was so in love with her poster, which I first saw sprawled across a wall on Queen Street, that I emailed WWF and asked for a copy.
To my complete surprise they emailed straight back asking for my addy and I have been sent the last copy of the poster that they had.
Love Love Love
See http://wwf.org.nz/take_action/ocean/get_inspired/ to see how you can get involved
I want, I want, I want now
| My oh my are these not the most delicate things you ever did see! Butterfly Wing Necklace | |
A delicate butterfly wing rests in a tiny glass specimen vial and hangs on a bronze chain. The butterfly is a powerful symbol representing the soul, transformation and happiness. She brings with her messages of change, joy and love, and freedom. Listen to her gentle requests that we dance to the natural rhythms of life. A great gift for someone who has just made, or is about to make, a big change. Graduation, baby shower, wedding shower, etc Please note...no butterflies are harmed to make this jewelry. Specimens are obtained from a butterfly sanctuary where they are collected after expiring naturally. Colors vary greatly. You get what you get and you dont get upset. If you have a specific request please inlude it in the Comment section at Checkout and we will do our best https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=17199&cat=404&page=1 | |
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