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No good deed goes unpunished. While that may seem a bit cynical, plants growing from bird seed is a prime example of how an act of kindness can backfire. If youve had this problem in the past, you may be wondering how to attract and feed birds without ending up with a bunch of weeds in the garden.
As an avid birdwatcher and nature lover, you want to attract beautiful birds to your yard by providing food. However, you quickly notice that the bird seed is sprouting all over your lawn and garden areas. While you want to create a bird-friendly habitat, sprouted bird seed can become a nuisance weed taking over the landscape. Luckily, with some simple tips and tricks, you can continue feeding wild birds while preventing unwanted sprouting of bird seed.
Why Does Bird Seed Sprout?
Bird seed contains grains and seeds selected specifically to provide nutrition and appeal to wild birds. Many popular blends contain black oil sunflower seeds millet cracked corn, Nyjer, safflower and more. These energy-rich seeds supply the fats, carbohydrates and proteins birds need. They also contain embryos that can germinate and grow into seedlings and plants. This allows bird seed to sprout readily when scattered on the ground. Wind, gravity, squirrels, heavy rain, and messy eaters ensure plenty of seeds fall from feeders. Given adequate moisture and temperatures, they can sprout in your lawn, flower beds or garden areas. While sprouting birdseed might seem harmless, it leads to weedy growth taking over prized planting spaces.
Tips to Stop Bird Seed from Sprouting
Luckily, armed with the right techniques you can continue feeding birds while preventing unwanted sprouting. Here are some of the most effective ways to stop bird seed from sprouting in your yard
Use Seed Catchers
Seed catchers placed under feeders provide an easy solution. These trays catch falling seeds before they reach the soil. They come in simple tray styles or with mesh screens to allow water drainage while trapping seeds. Place them under feeder poles or hang below feeders. Regularly empty and clean catchers to remove debris and discarded seeds. This stops them from eventually reaching the ground.
Sterilize the Seeds
Heating seeds destroys their ability to germinate. You can sterilize store-bought seeds at home before use. To do this, spread seeds on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 10-15 minutes until lightly toasted. Heating longer than necessary can burn the seeds, so watch closely. Microwaving works too, but requires care to avoid scorching. Microwave in short intervals then check if seeds sprout when planted. Repeat heating if needed.
Use Nyjer Seed
Nyjer seed, also called thistle seed, offers an easy non-sprouting option. The production process sterilizes the seeds, preventing germination. Nyjer appeals especially to finches, siskins and redpolls. While costlier than mixes, the single seed solves sprouting issues. Place Nyjer in specialized “thistle socks” or fine mesh tube feeders. Note that cheap “filler seed” added to Nyjer can still sprout. Seek high-quality, pure Nyjer without fillers.
Pick Platform Feeders
Platform feeders allow birds to forage for seeds and nuts scattered on a tray. Consider using platform feeders made with a synthetic mesh surface. These enable drainage while preventing discarded hulls and seeds from reaching soil and sprouting. Place feeders over non-planting areas for easier cleanup.
Favor No-Mess Feeders
Certain feeders are designed to minimize waste and spillage For example, tube-style feeders offer access to one seed at a time This prevents birds from scattering extras. Also, suet feeders with tail props or cages keep birds from flinging suet as they eat. Using these styles minimizes dropped seeds or suet chunks on the ground.
Add Pavers Under Feeders
Ground cover matters when it comes to sprouting. Bird seed landing on a paved surface simply sits on top. Installing pavers, bricks or gravel under feeders prevents contact with soil. This inhibits germination and sprouting in high traffic areas. You can still sweep or blow debris off an impervious surface. For easy access, place pavers or stepping stones around pole mounts or hang feeders above gravel beds.
Remove Feeders Periodically
Taking down feeders temporarily provides a chance to clean up seed debris before it sprouts. Consider removing feeders seasonally when bears become active or birds migrate. Or, bring feeders in for a few weeks mid-season. This allows you to clear and till soil, removing any missed seed. An occasional break also helps disperse congregating birds.
Keep Areas Well Trimmed
Staying on top of trimming and weeding is key. When sprouted seeds blend into overgrown areas, removal becomes difficult. Maintain borders and beds, and regularly mow, edge and weed lawn areas. This keeps sprouted seeds visible for prompt removal. Frequent light passes with the mower prevent seedlings from maturing.
Act Fast After Weather Events
Wind and rain inevitably knock some seeds to the ground. After blustery days or storms, do a sweep around feeders. Heavy rain can then promote sprouting conditions. Removing freshly scattered seeds quickly reduces this risk. Depending on the area, you can hand pull, hoe, till or apply a sprout preventer product. Acting fast keeps sprouted seeds from taking hold.
With some smart feeding practices, you can deter sprouting while enjoying the sight of songbirds gathering for meals. Follow these tips to protect your landscape while providing desired food sources. Soon, feasting finches, doves, sparrows and other visitors will flock to your sprout-free sanctuary.
Plants That Grow From Bird Seed
Not all bird seed is created equal. Here are the most popular seeds manufacturers include in their mixes:
- Sunflower — Black oil sunflower seeds are enjoyed by a wide variety of birds, while striped varieties have thicker shells and are more difficult for some species to open. Whole sunflower seeds will sprout and grow. Shelling, hulling or chipping seeds eliminates this problem.
- Safflower — Cardinals, blue jays and tufted titmice are among the native species of birds which relish these small, white conical seeds. Depending upon the variety, safflower plants grow 1 to 5 feet (0.3-1.5 m.) tall and produce yellow, orange or red globular flowers.
- Nyjer — A favorite of goldfinch, these thin black seeds are sometimes labeled “thistle” in birdseed mixes. Related to the sunflower, Nyjer (Guizotia abyssinica) grows 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8 m.) tall and has yellow daisy-like flowers. This is one bird seed that wont sprout weeds. Nyjer is grown overseas and the USDA requires the seed to be heat-sterilized prior to importation.
- White Proso Millet — Favored by quail, cardinals, juncos and other ground-feeding birds, millet is often fed in ground-level bird feeders. The football-shaped seeds are creamy white to light tan and readily sprout in warm weather. Millet is an annual grass that grows 3 to 6 feet (0.9-1.8 m.) tall.
- Corn — Shelled corn (whole kernels) can germinate and grow into full-sized corn plants, but will not produce the tender, sweet corn loved by humans. Feeding cracked corn solves the problem of finding stray corn plants in the yard.
- Peanuts — Whole peanuts are popular with jays, crows and woodpeckers, while smaller birds prefer them shelled and chopped. Peanuts wont germinate unless the pinkish-brown hull is still attached. These legumes grow 1 to 1.5 feet (0.3-0.5 m.) tall.
- Milo — Also known as milo maize, these round, reddish brown seeds are not favored by smaller birds, but are attractive to many types of game birds, doves and jays. This sprouting bird seed, which is also called sorghum, looks similar to corn plants. However, milo doesnt produce kernel-filled ears. The flowerheads and seeds appear at the top of the plant.
How to Keep Bird Seed from Sprouting
Avid bird lovers know there are several tricks when it comes to weed-free bird feeding. Adopt a few or all of these tried and true techniques for eliminating unwanted plants around the bird feeder:
- Dont buy cheap seed. When it comes to bird seed mixes, you get what you pay for. Bargain mixes often contain “filler” seeds, which many birds wont eat. The end result is these seeds get kicked out of the feeder and end up on the ground where they germinate into an array of unwanted weeds. Avoid products with milo, wheat, oats, golden or red millet and flax.
- Change bird feeders. Many weed problems can be eliminated by changing the type of feeder. Using a tube feeder with small feed holes requires the birds to remove one seed at a time and helps prevent waste. Avoid bird feeders that sway as these can spill feed.
- Use multiple feeders. Buy single seed products and place each in a different feeder. The birds will flock to their favorite feeder and not toss out undesirable seeds.
- Install a seed catcher. These handy devices not only catch fallen seeds, but unsightly seed hulls as well.
- Regularly clean up fallen seeds. Install pavers underneath the bird feeder to make sweeping up discarded seeds and hulls much easier.
- Plant ground cover under the feeder. Dense ground cover plants will shade the soil and deter bird seeds from germinating or growing should they sprout.
Finally, consider purchasing non-germinating bird seed. These products are often labeled “no mess” or “no-waste” and only contain seeds which have been shelled, hulled or cracked.
How to Prevent Bird Seed From Germinating
FAQ
How to prevent birdseed from sprouting?
- Feed Zamzows No Sprout. …
- Feed Nyjer Thistle Seeds (Don’t worry they aren’t really thistles) …
- Make Sure Your Seed is Fresh. …
- Change Your Bird Feeder. …
- Attach a “Catcher” to Your Bird Feeders. …
- Clean Up Spilled Seed Before it Sprouts. …
- Pour Concrete or Add Pavers Under Your Feeders.
How to stop seeds from sprouting?
Don’t Disturb the Soil
So the less you disturb the soil, the more likely weed seeds will remain asleep. Avoid high-powered tillers, and go easy on the hand cultivating. Sow your flower and vegetable seeds above the ground in mounds of compost, shredded leaves, or even in bags of topsoil.
How to bake bird seed so it doesn’t sprout?
Just spread the birdseed in a shallow pan and bake it in your oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 150 degrees.Jan 8, 2016
What is the best binder for bird seeds?
Don’t have any corn syrup on hand? Use peanut butter instead! Equal parts peanut butter and flour will create a sticky substrate for your birdseed to bind to. This combination of ingredients will also allow you to skip the chilling step that gelatin requires.
How do you keep bird seed from sprouting?
Proper storage of bird seed: Storing bird seed properly is crucial to prevent sprouting. Choosing the right storage container, keeping the seed in a cool, dry place, and protecting it from moisture and sunlight are essential for maintaining seed quality and preventing sprouting. Why Does Bird Seed Sprout?
How do you keep birds from sprouting on your lawn?
Lawns require daily cleaning to avoid weeds. To avoid the sprouting of any bird seeds, you can simply, clean up the spillage before they sprout. To do this, you may need an outdoor vacuum cleaner or a blower. This way, the seeds will be off the lawn before they germinate, preventing any wild plantations in your backyard.
How do you keep birds from sprouting in a bird feeder?
Preheat your oven to 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit and spread the bird seed in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will kill any potential sprouts without harming the birds. In addition to sterilizing your bird seed, choosing the right type of bird feeder can also help prevent sprouting.
Does bird seed sprout?
Almost all bird seed will sprout. If an unwanted plant is defined as a weed, then bird seed that sprouts is a weed. Some sprouting bird seed may look like grass at first. But bird seeds grow into whatever seed you are feeding: sunflowers, millet, wheat, milo, flax, rapeseed, canary seed. How do you keep bird seed from growing under your feeder?
Can bird feeders prevent seed sprouts?
Yes, using bird feeders can help prevent seed sprouts on your lawn. Bird feeders with catch trays or positioned away from the lawn can reduce seed spillage and minimize the chances of sprouting. How often should I clean up fallen seeds from my lawn?
How do I prevent birds from growing in my lawn?
For those interested in making sure the birds are fed and the lawn looks gorgeous, we have a couple of tips to prevent any unwanted plantations to make room in your lawn. To prevent bird seed from sprouting and the growth of stray weeds in your lawn, you can use sterilized seeds, seed catchers, or even tube feeders to solve the problem.