Many backyard bird enthusiasts wonder: can you actually grow plants from birdseed? The short answer is yes, but with some important caveats. While not all birdseed will sprout, many varieties contain seeds capable of germination, leading to a surprisingly diverse and sometimes unexpected garden. This guide will explore the possibilities, challenges, and best practices for growing plants from birdseed.
What Kinds of Plants Grow from Birdseed?
This is the exciting part! The types of plants you can grow depend entirely on the birdseed mix you use. Common birdseed blends often include seeds from:
- Sunflowers: These are a reliable sprouter and produce cheerful, tall sunflowers.
- Niger (Nyjer) seed: Tiny, black seeds favored by finches, these are difficult to germinate and may require specialized techniques.
- Milo (Sorghum): A grain that sprouts easily, leading to tall stalks of sorghum.
- Wheat: Another readily germinating grain, wheat will produce small plants, but isn't typically considered aesthetically pleasing in a garden setting.
- Oats: Similar to wheat, oats germinate easily but are more suited for animal feed than ornamental planting.
- Various wildflower seeds: Many mixes contain a blend of smaller wildflower seeds, leading to unpredictable, but often beautiful, results.
How to Grow Plants from Birdseed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing plants from birdseed is a fun experiment, but it requires patience and attention to detail. Here's how to do it:
- Choose your birdseed: Opt for a mix with a high percentage of seeds you'd like to grow, like sunflower or other larger seeds. Avoid mixes heavily weighted towards grains like millet.
- Prepare the seeds: Soaking the seeds for a few hours before planting can improve germination rates.
- Select your planting medium: Use a well-draining potting mix or garden soil.
- Plant the seeds: Sow seeds about half an inch deep, spacing them according to the mature size of the expected plant (if known).
- Water gently: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Provide sunlight: Most birdseed plants need ample sunlight.
- Thin seedlings: Once seedlings emerge, thin them to give each plant enough space to grow.
- Be patient: Germination times vary greatly depending on the seed type and conditions.
What are the Chances of Success?
Your success rate will depend on several factors, including the type of seed, the age of the seed (older seeds may have lower germination rates), and your planting technique. Some seeds, like sunflowers, have a high germination rate, while others, like niger seed, are notoriously difficult to sprout. Don't be discouraged if some seeds don't germinate; it's part of the experiment!
Can I Grow Vegetables from Birdseed?
While some birdseed mixes might contain small amounts of vegetable seeds, it's not a reliable method for growing vegetables. Birdseed is primarily formulated to attract birds, not to produce a bountiful harvest. If you want to grow vegetables, it's best to start with seeds specifically intended for gardening.
What About Weeds?
It's important to be aware that you might get some unwanted weeds alongside your birdseed plants. Carefully monitor your seedlings and remove any undesirable plants as they emerge.
Is this a good way to save money on seeds?
While growing plants from birdseed can be a fun and inexpensive experiment, it’s generally not an economical way to acquire seeds for a large garden. Seeds specifically bred for gardening offer higher germination rates and are more likely to produce the desired results.
This experiment provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and witness the wonder of germination. Happy planting!
