Flower Bomb Challenge: let's save the bees and farmers and sow beauty!

by Stefania Pochesci

On the occasion of World Bee Day on May 20, Slow Food is launching a Flower Bomb Challenge to support bees and all pollinating insects (bees, bumblebees, butterflies, etc.) that play a crucial role in favor of biodiversity and agriculture.

Without them, a large number of wild and cultivated plant and animal species would no longer exist. Yet, industrial monocultures and the use of toxic pesticides are decimating bee and pollinator colonies.

For this reason, Slow Food is also promoting the European Citizens' Initiative Save Bees and Farmers. (ICE)

And we too, therefore, join the chorus of those who want to sow beauty. The real one.

The European Citizens' Initiative “Save Bees and Farmers!”, led by Pan Europe, invites the European Commission to present legislative proposals to:

  1. phase out synthetic pesticides by 2035: eliminate synthetic pesticides from European agriculture by 80% by 2030, starting with the most dangerous ones, to reach 100% by 2035.

  2. restore biodiversity: restore natural ecosystems in agricultural areas so that agriculture becomes a vehicle for recovering biodiversity.

  3. support farmers in the transition: reform agriculture by prioritizing small-scale, diversified, and sustainable farming, promoting the rapid increase of agroecological and organic practices; promoting independent training and research on pesticides and non-GMO agriculture, focusing on the needs of farmers.

If at least one million signatures are collected, the Commission and the European Parliament will be obliged to respond to our requests. Help us reach this goal: every signature counts!

To make flower bombs, you will need

🌼 Wildflower seeds - if possible, native varieties from local sources
🌼 Soil or clay powder - from your garden or local gardening store
🌼 Peat-free potting soil (or mixed soil)
🌼 Water
🌼 A bowl

  • Mix 1 cup of seeds with 5 cups of compost and 2-3 cups of clay powder (you can use potting soil instead) in a bowl.
  • Slowly stir in the water with your hands until everything is well mixed together.
  • Make small balls with the mixture.
  • Let the balls dry in a sunny place until they harden and plant your seed bombs by throwing them in the bare parts of the garden or in the uncultivated areas of the city (neglected roundabouts, flower beds, and planters, etc.) sow beauty (the real one) and save the bees!

Spread this post, sign and share the ICE, and if you want, teach others how to make flower bombs! Thanks to Slow Food Italy for the Tutorial!

#SaveBeesAndFarmers

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