Winter: 2026
🌱The Power of Nendo Dango in Our Garden 🍋🌱
Hello everyone! How are you doing? Today I have a very special post about a seeding technique that I'm super excited about: Nendo Dango, and this time it's boosted with earthworm humus!
Interactive image viewer: Pea seeds
For this project, I used pea seeds that I harvested directly from my own garden (as you can see in photos of seeds of peans). The great thing about peas, besides being delicious, is that when they germinate, they act as legumes that fix nitrogen directly into the soil, naturally improving its quality. Along with them, I added a beautiful variety of my own seeds that I've been cultivating: calendulas, carrots, lettuce, and chard (all mixed together in Seeds).
What is Nendo Dango and why is it so
important?
Nendo Dango (or "compost balls," as I like to call
them, shown in "Nendo dango photo) is an ancient
seeding method perfected by Japanese farmer Masanobu
Fukuoka, a pioneer of natural agriculture. It
consists of wrapping seeds in a mixture of soil and
clay (although this time, since I didn't get to buy
clay, I decided to experiment using the pure humus I
collected the other day, like the one in
photo in Humus).
This technique is a fundamental tool worldwide
for
several reasons:
Natural Agriculture:
It respects the Earth's
natural
cycles without the need for plowing or using
pesticides.
Combating Deforestation and Desertification:
It
allows for the reforestation of degraded or
hard-to-reach areas, as the spheres protect the
seeds until weather conditions are perfect for
germination.
Protection from Wildlife:
The protective
shell
prevents birds or insects from eating the seeds too
early. In fact, I'm happy to report that so far, the
birds haven't touched them!
Today I was waiting for the rain to help moisten the
soil, but not a single drop fell. Even so, I took
advantage of the day to do some garden maintenance
and prune an ornamental tree with my mom. I ended up
exhausted, but it was totally worth it. I've
uploaded a video showing the whole process of how I
made and placed these little nutrient balls. I hope
you really enjoy the content!
📸 Rooting process log
Earthworm castings
Pass
To make Nendo Dango
Seeds of peas
Shell-free
For sowing
Seeds
Some of one's own and others purchased
For sowing
Nendo dango
Formed
For sowing
