Even though the concept of seed bombing came in with the concept of guerilla gardening in the 1970's, it held but a vague spot in my memory until I encountered this seed bomb gumball machine outside the Little Flower Candy Company on west Colorado Blvd. last week.
"Combat the forgotten grey spaces you encounter every day," says the slogan. They could be referring to my brain, but what they mean is vacant lots, parking medians and, in my case, my yard.
GreenAid, the company responsible for this particular dispenser, is doing some wonderful stuff. If I had a store or an office, I'd want one of these babies out front.
You can make your own seed bombs, according to this LA Times article, but I'm not the crafty type. So I bought three bombs--three, because they were 50 cents each and that's how many quarters I could borrow. They're bigger than a giant jawbreaker, so three ought to cover a good deal of space. I can always go back for more once I see what grows from them. At least it'll be something new, springing from the grey matter of my yard.
If they were irradiated, they'd produce even greater surprises.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fabulous idea. I love it.
ReplyDeletegreat idea! You'll post pictures right? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis I do not believe!
ReplyDeleteI clipped an article from Boing Boing (http://www.boingboing.net/2011/06/09/seedbomb-vending-mac.html) this very morning.
I just love the concept.
I'll say how much I love, love, love this seed bomb-gumball machine concept! I hope I see them sprouting up here, pronto. And I can hardly wait to see what yours blossom into, Petrea.
ReplyDeleteJS, I suppose that's true of anything.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll do before and after pictures. I'm going to be bold and plant them in front of the house. I have a spot picked out.
I'm going to head over to that vending machine right now and buy $10 worth to bomb the sides of freeways - and also that bare gravel outside the store. Hope we get some rain so they'll grow. Let me know what comes up in your garden, P.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the comment thread on jb's link.
I must admit I have never heard of seed bombing. According to Wiki the first ones were made using condoms. (Insert your own joke.) I think the seed is one of the best inventions to come out of the
ReplyDelete70's.
Right, Bellis, those comments are very interesting. Maybe I should plant those seed bombs in the back yard, just in case.
ReplyDeleteSteven, I think I'm not going to touch that.
In Sex Ed they said seed-bombing was when you didn't use a condom.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! I can feel dormant parts of my grey matter sprouting to life. Judging by the enthusiasm here, this could be the start of a seed bomb revolution.
ReplyDeleteOk that is just brilliant. I'll have to look into it for around here. We definitely have some major gray areas.
ReplyDeleteI learn the most interesting things here Petrea!!! I don't even have a vague memory of this one!!! But what a cool idea!!! I'm surprised it didn't catch on more back in the "good ol' days!"
ReplyDeleteHee hee, JS.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think they're cool, despite the caveats expressed in comments in jb's link--all reasonable, but this company labels their seed bombs, so I think at least locally we're good.
Nice concept. The more flowers,the more Bee's. Really,the Bee's are vanishing.
ReplyDeleteEarly Pasadena had many residential gardens from mansions to modest homes. Time to plant FLOWERS...
Pascaljim
such a good idea. hope they contain hollyhock seeds
ReplyDeleteI have seen seed seed bombs but never from a gumball machine. How awesome! I wouldn't normally ever indulge my kids in buying something from a machine, but if they asked for these I would definitely spring for a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteSeed bombs! I need to go to an arms dealer, get some to make strafing runs through numerous areas. It's too late for this year, but maybe next.
ReplyDeleteI admit the language gave me pause.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I wish they had some here. Maybe some enterprising person will bring them.
ReplyDeleteDo let us see what your "bombs" produce.
So should we rename Johnny Appleseed Johnny Seedbomber?
ReplyDeleteJohnny planted apple trees.
ReplyDeleteIf you blow up the picture (kerblam!) you can see the list of what's in these babies.
I'm laughing out loud about Johnny Seed Bomb!!! Oh, ohhhh.....maybe that's the two Jameson's I just had while playing Jenga at the Dubliner with two delightful young women from Palm Springs and TheChief!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! So strange but so interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy last comment didn't come out like I wanted it to. I meant to imply that Johnny was specific and the seed bombs are...well, they're sort of a surprise.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun, Chieftess.
Italo, "strange but interesting" can be good or bad. We'll see.
That is a great idea. I wish we had these in our city!
ReplyDeleteHi Randy. Yeah, the machines definitely make it easier. But if you want to make your own seed bombs, click the link to the LA Times article for the recipe.
ReplyDelete