The term “seed bombing” has been used steadily since the 70’s when the guerrilla gardening movement began. Since then, we have been exposed to all sorts of inventive types of seed bombs. The original type was a condom filled with fertilizer, water and wildflower seeds, but most guerrilla gardeners use the all-natural kind made of simply mud, compost and seeds. Different recipes abound, but they are all quite similar. So when somebody finds a way to redesign the seed bomb concept – it’s exciting news.
South Korean designer Jin-wook Hwang came up with a new design for a seed bomb. His idea can be used on a larger scale than the neighborhood-greening ones which we’re used to. In his project portfolio, Hwang tells of the inspiration behind his idea:
“After The 2nd world war, Gale Halvorson, an American pilot, dropped candies in the name of hope for children in Berlin. The seedbomb is the bomb of hope like the candies of Gale Halvorson.”
Intended to be airdropped into arid environments, the seedbomb is actually a vessel carrying smaller seed capsules. When the bomb gets released, it falls apart, scattering the seed capsules inside. Each capsule contains a small amount of soil and nutrients along with seeds. For the first part of the plants’ lives, the seed capsules act as tiny greenhouses, thereby protecting the fledgling plants.
As the plants grow, the seed capsules biodegrade. What is left remaining is a new crop of plants in an area that was once dry and void of vegetation. Hwang’s vision is to drop his seedbombs into areas where most humans would never think to start a garden. The idea is that by reforesting some of the planet’s arid locations, we can improve not only the landscape, but the overall health of the planet.