The Curious Garden Inspires

The Curious Garden, written by Peter Brown, is the story of a boy who befriends and cultivates a hidden garden in the heart of a polluted city.

Slowly, the verdant ribbon snakes its way throughout the urban setting as life takes root in every nook and cranny. A depressing metropolis transforms into a series of lush, interconnected boroughs.

During a brainstorming session, the students described places around Athens that could use a little more life. Inspired by Liam, the red-headed guerilla gardener, the class mixed Georgia red clay, mushroom compost, wildflower seeds, and a little water to make seedballs. 

Peter Brown's environmental tale was inspired by the true story of a group of people in New York who organized to save a stretch of railroad slated for demolition. Ethan Hawke narrates a short video about the High Line's history...

Click here for more information about New York's High Line, or right here to discover the origin of seedballs, Masanobu Fukuoka's ancient natural farming technique.

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How to Make Seedballs

5 parts dry red clay

3 parts organic compost

1 part native wildflower seed

1-2 parts water

A 12 oz cup equals 1 part, and the sticky batch yields about 300. First, pinch penny-sized pieces, then roll them around and around between your fingers or palms. Next, set them on a flat surface to dry in the sunshine. They’re thirsty and ready after a couple of days. There’s no need to plant them. Simply place or throw the  wherever you see a spot that could use a little color.