Seed Bombs or Seed Paper - Ask Extension
I want to make seed bombs or seed paper with my students but am unsure what kind of binding material to use. Some websites say to use paper or constru...
Knowledgebase
Seed Bombs or Seed Paper #920067
Asked October 16, 2025, 1:45 PM EDT
I want to make seed bombs or seed paper with my students but am unsure what kind of binding material to use. Some websites say to use paper or construction paper or clay for the bombs, but I don't know what would best for the health of the soil. Can I have some suggestions?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
It looks like you can choose which way to make “seed bombs”, as I found Extension Service publications both for clay and paper. Use search terms like “seed bombs extension service” and you’ll see a few, like this. If making paper, use non-toxic pulp for safety of students and the soil.
I didn’t find research on how to make the most successful “bombs”, either the type of material or the type of seeds to use. Depending on the age of students, it could be an experiment to compare paper & clay. How fast do they dissolve? When do seeds actually sprout?
If using wildflower seeds, be sure they are for this area. Nationally marketed mixes can have plants that are aggressive or invasive in the Pacific Northwest.
I didn’t find research on how to make the most successful “bombs”, either the type of material or the type of seeds to use. Depending on the age of students, it could be an experiment to compare paper & clay. How fast do they dissolve? When do seeds actually sprout?
If using wildflower seeds, be sure they are for this area. Nationally marketed mixes can have plants that are aggressive or invasive in the Pacific Northwest.
Thank you so much!
Celina Frank (she/her)
Regional Engagement Strategist - Hillsboro
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
1945 SE Water Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97214
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Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 10:16 AM
To: Frank, Celina
Subject: Re: Seed Bombs or Seed Paper (#0189983)
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Subject: Re: Seed Bombs or Seed Paper (#0189983)
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I’ve been thinking about this, and though I still don’t have scientific research to share. It does seems that watching some fast-germinating seeds sprout from a piece of wet paper on the soil would be interesting. As a child (so long ago) I enjoyed the grade-school lesson of bean seeds and wet paper bag in a plastic peanut butter jar. We could watch each part of that seed sprout.
Wishing you the best with your lessons.
Wishing you the best with your lessons.
