Can you plant seeds from bird food?

Yes, it is possible to plant seeds from bird food and grow plants. Many bird seed mixes contain seeds from flowers, herbs, and vegetables that can be planted directly in soil and sprout into plants under the right conditions.

What types of seeds are in bird food?

Bird seed mixes often contain a variety of small seeds that songbirds enjoy eating. Some common types of seeds found in bird food include:

• Millet – a common grass seed
• Nyjer or thistle seed – from the Niger plant
• Oats
• Safflower seeds
• Sunflower seeds – both black oil and striped seeds
• Cracked corn
• Peanuts – either whole peanuts or pieces
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds

In addition to these small grains and seeds, some bird food mixes also contain dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, apples, papaya, and banana chips. The fruit pieces provide birds with additional nutrition.

Seed varieties that can be planted

While most of the basic grains and seeds found in bird food won’t sprout, some varieties can potentially grow if planted. Seeds to look for that can germinate include:

• Sunflower seeds – Will grow tall green sunflower heads.
• Safflower seeds – Can produce colorful safflower flowers.
• Millet – Will sprout grassy foliage.
• Chia seeds – Grow into chia herb plants.
• Pumpkin seeds – Will produce vine plants with pumpkin fruits.

The dried fruit and nut pieces found in bird food cannot be planted directly since they are processed. However, you can plant the seeds from fresh fruits like apples, pumpkins, citrus fruits, etc if you want to grow fruit plants.

Steps for planting bird seed

If you want to try growing plants from leftover bird food, follow these tips:

1. Pick out seeds – Carefully separate any seeds you want to plant from the bird food mix. Focus on finding sunflower, safflower, chia, millet and pumpkin seeds which have the best chance of sprouting.
2. Check for viability – Examine the seeds you’ve collected. Crush a few to see if the inside appears healthy. Avoid old, crunchy or discolored seeds.
3. Plant in spring – The optimal time to plant most flower and vegetable seeds outdoors is in the spring after the last frost. This gives them warm soil and a long growing season.
4. Start indoors – To get a head start, you can begin seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Use small containers or cell trays with seed starting mix.
5. Sow at proper depth – Refer to seed packet instructions if available for recommended planting depth. Generally sow larger seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep and smaller seeds at 1/4 inch or less.
6. Keep moist – Gently water soil after planting to keep it moist but not soaked. Cover seeds with plastic wrap or a humidity dome until they sprout.
7. Provide light – Give seeds bright indirect light or use grow lights to ensure robust growth after sprouting.
8. Transplant outside – After sprouts have their second set of leaves, harden them off. Then transplant seedlings into prepared garden beds after the frost danger has passed.
9. Grow as annuals – Most plants started from bird food are annuals or biennials that complete their life cycle in one or two growing seasons.

Tips for success growing bird seed plants

Here are some useful tips to help ensure success when planting bird food seeds:

• Use fresh uncooked bird food – Old or baked bird food is less likely to sprout.
• Scatter seeds widely – Plant seeds loosely and thinly to prevent overcrowding.
• Provide support – Tall sunflowers and vines will need stakes or trellises as they grow.
• Practice companion planting – Interplant quick growing seeds like millet with slower sprouting pumpkin or chia.
• Deter pests – Keep birds, rodents, slugs and insects from disturbing newly planted seeds.
• Monitor watering – Check soil daily and water when the top inch becomes dry.
• Watch for diseases – Prevent fungus issues by watering at the base of plants and giving them space.
• Harvest on time – Pick ripe seeds, fruits and vegetables once they reach maturity.
• Collect seeds – Allow some plants to go to flower and seed to produce more for next year.

Common challenges when planting bird food

Growing plants from bird seed can have challenges including:

• Low germination rates – Not all stored bird food seeds will successfully sprout.
• Seed confusion – Unknown bird seeds may grow into undesired plants.
• Improper planting – Issues like planting too deep, crowding seeds, or poor drainage.
• Environmental factors – Hot, cold, or dry conditions can inhibit germination.
• Pest damage – Birds, insects, slugs or rodents eating newly planted seeds.
• Fungal diseases – Damping off disease kills seedlings when soil stays wet.
• Lack of thinning – Overcrowded plants fail to grow or produce well.
• Nutrient deficiency – Plants may need fertilizer if sprouted in low nutrient mediums.
• Limited root space – Containers and cell trays can restrict root growth.

Being aware of these potential issues can help you take steps to overcome them. For example, spreading seeds thinly, using fungicide, and transplanting into bigger containers.

Conclusion

While not all bird food seeds will successfully take root and grow, planting the sunflower, safflower, chia, millet and pumpkin varieties can produce flowering plants to enjoy. Check seeds for quality, provide good growing conditions, and be patient to see which bird food seeds sprout. With a little luck you can grow a variety of herb and flower plants to enhance your garden from recycled bird food.