It’s easy to support World Animal Day with a simple scattering of seed balls
Published:
Read Time: 3 mins
World Animal Day takes place on the 4th October each year, coinciding with the feast day of St Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of animals! The day exists to motivate people to take action and create a better future for wildlife, with this year’s theme revolving around the messaging that ‘The world is their home too.’ There are small steps we can all take to conserve and protect the homes of local creatures, and here Dr Ana Attlee, conservation scientist and co-founder of innovative wildflower company, Seedball, explains how we can all play a part.
Dr Attlee advises: “One of the easiest, and most beautiful, ways to support animals in your local environment is to grow wildflowers. Wildflowers are not only attractive, but they offer sustenance and food for an array of creatures, including vital pollinators like bees and butterflies. They also encourage other beneficial bugs that can provide a meal for hungry hedgehogs, birds and amphibians!
“Scattering seed balls is a really simple way of getting wildflowers into your life – and even the most novice of gardeners can do it! Seedball has an extensive collection of wildflower tins to choose from, with each tailored to a specific species of wildlife such as, bats, birds and hedgehogs. Seed ball varieties can be mixed and matched for a vibrant display that will encourage a whole host of wildlife to your garden. Here’s a small selection of our best-selling mixes for wildlife to help you look after the animals on your patch.”
RRP: £6.50
The Hedgehog Mix seed ball tin is specifically designed to attract these spiky friends of the garden by encouraging the growth of plants that provide them with a rich source of food and cover. The mix includes a variety of British wildflowers like red campion, cornflower and wild carrot. By scattering the Hedgehog Mix in the garden, you can help create a sanctuary for these charming nocturnal creatures and create safe spaces for them, which is super important as their numbers have been declining in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmented ecosystems.
RRP: £6.50
The Bat Mix tin is tailored to attract bats by fostering an environment rich in nocturnal flying insects. This mix features wildflowers such as night-scented stock, corn marigold and evening primrose. Bats play a crucial role in controlling insect populations and by scattering the Bat Mix, gardeners can support these fascinating mammals right from their back gardens. In line with World Animal Day's theme, ‘The world is their home too’, this mix is a simple yet effective way to create a thriving habitat for bats, helping to sustain local biodiversity.
RRP: £6.50
The Bird Mix tin has been designed to attract a variety of birds by producing wildflowers that are self-seeding and attract insects, boosting natural food sources for feathered friends. The seed balls contain flowers like common poppy, cornflower and sheep sorrel, this mix not only adds vibrant colours to your garden but also supports bird populations and wider wildlife by creating a diverse and self-sustaining ecosystem. Birds are vital for controlling pests and pollinating plants and by scattering Bird Mix seed balls, you can contribute to their survival.
Each of these Seedball mixes aligns with the spirit of World Animal Day, empowering individuals to take proactive steps in supporting and protecting wildlife. By scattering these seed balls we can all play a part in making our gardens a safe and welcoming home for the wildlife that shares our world.
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.
