Urban Farmer Launches Wildflower Initiative to Save Honeybees

SAN FRANCISCO - March 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Grow the Rainbow is a new project recently started by Chris Burley and Ei Ei Khin, a husband and wife team behind Seedles. The goal is to grow one million wildflowers to ease the current burdens that are threatening the honey bee population. By producing 100,000 seed balls, or Seedles, the team is striving to grow the million flowers because each Seedle can grow up to 10 wildflowers.

The project was borne out of the aftermath of a July 2010 die-off of bees at the Hayes Valley Farm in San Francisco. Pesticide had been intentionally sprayed into hives, destroying two and partially a third, killing over 100,000 bees. One third of our food supply wouldn’t exist without pollination from bees, and growing wildflowers is the easiest way to support their health. In addition to beautifying our neighborhoods with flowers, the goal of the project is to make supporting the bees easy.

The Seedles are a mix of clay, compost, seeds, and water with a safe color coating. They come in the form of rainbow colored balls and variations such as Thyme Bombs, which feature basil, thyme, mint, dill, oregano, chives, and parsley depending on the ball. Anyone can spread the flowers simply by dropping them outside as they stroll, making a kitchen window garden, or by planting them with their kids. The formula for these Seedles was derived after 18 months of mixing, planting, and testing.

Being supported by an aggressive Kickstarter campaign - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/253186733/seedles-grow-the-rainbow -  Grow the Rainbow is the result of tireless research and a many hours of making experimental seed balls by hand. While pledging will support production, materials, and building the movement, those who contribute will also receive various sets of Seedles, Thyme Bombs, and Seedles Eggs. A “Bee the Change” postcards will also be delivered along with original artwork.

The seed ball technology is based on growing techniques used in ancient Egypt to recover from spring flooding. It was also used later in Japan to increase farm productivity. Best of all, bugs and other wildlife cannot eat them – almost guaranteeing the flowers will grow.

For more information on Grow the Rainbow, go to http://www.growtherainbow.com/ (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/253186733/seedles-gr...)

About Grow the Rainbow

Grow the Rainbow is a project begun by urban farmer Chris Burley and his wife Ei Ei Khin of Seedles to help the struggling honey bee population by growing one million wildflowers. Seed balls, capable of growing up to 10 flowers each, were developed to make it safe, fun, and effective to spread the flowers. The program is also a movement to get people and even children involved in a larger scale initiative.