Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - September 27, 2005
From: Weatherford, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding
Title: Smarty Plants on seed balls
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Do you have the recipe for Wildflower Seed Balls? It's where you mix dry wildflower seeds, compost, red clay, and water to form a seed ball and then you throw it. I think the ratio is 1 part seed, 3 parts compost, and 5 parts red clay. When do you throw them? I live in Parker County in Weatherford, TX....zone 7B.ANSWER:
Seed balls are a great way to sow seeds in an arid area since the seeds are protected from predation by birds, insects, and rodents until the rains fall to melt the clay and allow the seeds to germinate. Your ratios are correct: 5 parts clay:3 parts compost:1part seeds. Late fall or early winter is the best time to sow the seed balls, but you might even be successful sowing them in early spring, as well. You can read "How to Make Seed Balls" by Jim Bones on the Wildflower Center webpage. Path to Freedom and Explore Seed Balls webpages have more information and detailed instructions on making seed balls.
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
How do you determine male persimmon seedlings from the females?
May 11, 2013 - I have got new persimmon seedlings about 3 inches tall this spring, and am wondering if there is any way to tell male from female at this young stage? I just don't want to plant 20 or 40 seedlings an...
view the full question and answer
Variety of colors in bluebonnet seeds from Houston
November 18, 2013 - Bluebonnet seeds I have collected are a variety of colors, from the sandy/tan color to a grayish color and black color. Are all variations viable? Are they equally viable?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on seed harvesting
August 09, 2004 - I am interested in learning more about harvesting native seeds. I manage a number of sites where restoration projects will involve planting, and we would like to use native seed stocks. Could you te...
view the full question and answer
Adding Wildflowers to Corpus Christi
May 20, 2012 - I have a dry sandy yard, full sun in Corpus Christi with lot's of stickers mostly, want to transform to wildflowers. When should I plant, how should I prepare soil, should I dig out stickers? Which w...
view the full question and answer
Growing non-native grapefruit from seeds from Austin
April 30, 2013 - Can you grow ruby red grapefruit trees from seeds?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |