Hey everyone! I'm organizing a Spring festival in a small town in the North Central US, and I'm looking for some eco-friendly seed packets to distribute, especially to kids. I want to make sure I'm choosing seeds that are good for pollination but not invasive. The town has about 2,000 residents, with around 500 attending the festival, most of whom have large yards. Are there any specific seeds I could hand out that would positively impact the environment when locals scatter them? Or should I just scrap this idea altogether?
4 Answers
I’d recommend zinnias! They’re easy to grow, bees love them, and they bloom pretty quickly. Plus, they’re generally inexpensive—you can find packets for as low as 25 cents at local stores. Zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, and even impatiens are all good options that won't cause invasiveness. Trust me, it sounds way better than handing out cheap toys or candy!
For kids, sunflowers are awesome! They grow fast, are fun to watch, and attract pollinators. Cosmos are also fantastic because they thrive in poor soil and don’t need much care. Kids will love them, plus they reseed themselves! Just a heads up though, alyssum has lower germination rates, so may not be the best choice for a crowd.
You might want to check with local authorities or colleges about this. In my area, we have the Florida Native Plant Society, and they provide great resources on what to plant. Look for local permaculture experts; they’re usually super helpful and passionate about this kind of stuff!
Thanks for the tip! There’s a community college and a state university nearby, so I’ll definitely reach out to them!
Honestly, sunflowers are a sure bet because they’re easy and quick to grow, giving a nice sense of accomplishment for the kids. Zinnias and cosmos are also good options—lower maintenance and not likely to become invasive since they’re annuals. Partnering with local parks could be a great idea too; they might have native wildflower seeds or suggestions that would suit your festival. If you’re looking for native seeds, Prairie Moon Nursery has some great options.
Zinnias were definitely on my list, so I’m glad to hear you suggest them!