Plant with purpose this National Wildlife Day!

National Wildlife Day takes place twice a year, with the first one on 22nd February, to commemorate the birthday of Steve Irwin and then again on the 4th September. Founded in 2005 by animal behaviourist and philanthropist Colleen Paige, the national days were created to bring awareness of endangered species both locally and globally, by acknowledging the benefits of animals and the measures needed to protect them going forward, especially those that are already seeing significant decline.

Thanks to organisations such as the disruptive wildflower company, Seedball, it’s easy to help to protect declining species on a local level, by planting with purpose. People can add native wildflowers to their gardens simply by sprinkling its innovative seedballs, supporting our pollinator pals, feathered friends and other mighty mammals that depend on them.

There’s a whole host of seed balls to support a variety of species – choose your favourite or sprinkle them all!

Bird Mix – RRP: £6.50

The Bird Mix seed ball tin has been designed to feed the birds in a more sustainable and planet-friendly way than bagged supplementary bird foods. Each seed ball contains up to 30 seeds, all of which will boost food supply using native wildflowers that naturally entice delicious insects for birds such as blackbirds, tits and robins to feast on. What’s more, many of the flowers, such as Common poppy and Marigolds, are also self-seeding, so will provide a nutritious treat for seed-eating feathered friends like sparrows and finches and will grow again year after year.

Hedgehog Mix – RRP: £6.50

Since the 1950s, there has been a significant decline in hedgehog populations. To help support the spikey species, Seedball teamed up with the

People’s Trust for Endangered Species to create a Hedgehog Mix, so creating your own hedgehog-friendly patch couldn’t be easier! The tin contains around 20 seedballs consisting of Yellow rattle, Wild carrot, Birdsfoot trefoil, Tufted vetch, Self-heal and Poppy – blooms which have been expertly chosen as they encourage the hedgehog’s favourite delicacies of insects and provide much-appreciated shelter!

Royal Entomological Society Match Boxes – RRP: £9.00

New for 2024! Seedball has teamed up with the Royal Entomological Society (RES) to create a trio of seed ball matchboxes, all intended to benefit a variety of invertebrates. Each box features a striking image of a different insect which will benefit from the seed mixes – a Meadow Mix, a Pollinators Mix and a unique Damp Soil Mix.

Meadow Mix

A wildflower and grasses mix to support meadow invertebrates such as grasshoppers, lacewings, and beetles. The mix contains Oxeye Daisy, Common Knapweed, Yellow Oat-grass, Lady's Bedstraw and Cat Grass.

Pollinators Mix

To encourage all pollinators, including those that are lesser-known such as the striking Hummingbird hawk-moth, featured on the box. The mix contains Viper’s Bugloss, Hedge Bedstraw, Red Campion, Yarrow, Cornflower, Corn Marigold.

Damp Soil Mix

A mix to support invertebrates in wetland habitats or areas of damp soil. These areas are host to an abundance of important invertebrate life, including damselflies (featured on the box) and dragonflies. The mix includes Purple Loosestrife, Hedge Bedstraw, Lesser Knapweed, Meadow Buttercup, Oxeye Daisy, Ragged Robin.

Bat Mix – RRP: £6.50

The Bat Mix tin contains seeds specially selected to attract a wide range of insects that bats feed on, including flowers that release their fragrance at night when bats are most active. The mix contains seeds for plants with a combination of long and short pollen tubes, and a variety of colours and shapes of flowers to maximise the number of insects they attract. Each seed ball contains Borage, Cornflower, Corn marigolds, Evening primrose, Wallflowers, and night-scented stock – which will not only encourage bats to visit but will also look beautiful too.

To explore more products by Seedball, visit the website at www.seedball.co.uk or connect with Seedball on Instagram, X and Facebook. 

Ends

Editors notes

Seedball was founded by two conservation scientists wanting to boost biodiversity and help wildlife.

Seedball Ltd is an innovative organisation on a mission to help increase the abundance of British wildflowers and the wildlife that depends upon them.

Owned by Project Maya – a non-profit enterprise - Seedball manufactures wildflower seed balls using a unique innovation of wildflower seeds mixed with clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder to naturally protect seeds from predators. Its products are sold in over 500 stores in the UK, including Kew Gardens, The Woodland Trust and Blue Diamond Garden Centres, as well as online retailers such as Crocus and Marie Curie. Each year, Seedball also donates products to hundreds of schools and community groups to help support their nature projects.