How to: Build Butterfly Bombs

Butterfly bombs are little balls made of soil and wildflower seeds. You toss the bombs wherever you want a butterfly garden to grow. Rain will melt the clay and wash the seeds into the ground. In a few months, you’ll have an explosion of wildflowers perfect for any butterflies that flutter by. Gather These Ingredients

• Potting soil
• Powdered clay (available at most craft stores)
• Wildflower seeds (Make sure to choose wildflowers that are native to Missouri. Visit www.grownative.org for ideas on which seeds to use.)
• Water

flowers to grow.

• Gray-headed coneflower
• Columbine
• Tiger swallowtail
• Blazing star
• Glade coneflower
• Wild geranium

Get Your Hands Dirty

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 5 parts powdered clay, 5 parts potting soil and 1 part wildflower seeds.
2. Add a tiny bit of water. You'll need just enough to make a thick, clay-like dough. Don't add too much at first; you can always add more water later.
3. Use your hands to roll the mixture into balls the size of large gum balls.
4. Put your butterfly bombs on an old newspaper and let them harden in a cool, dry place for at least three days.
5. Toss your butterfly bombs wherever you want