I would love to establish more bird seed producing plants in my garden this spring! I’ve been brushing up on my bird IDs, and having bird feeders around the farm has certainly helped. But lugging giant bags of bird food got me thinking: I could grow that. So, if you’re like me and are trying to get all your spring garden seed orders in before planting time, here’s a few more plants to consider for your feathered garden friends.
Sunflower Seeds
Of course! But black oil sunflower seeds in particular, are a big bird favorite. All types of sunflower seed can be used bird seed, though. You might not even get any off the head to make a mix before the birds eat it all. I have a pair of goldfinches that usually strip my sunflowers clean as soon as they go to seed.
Millet
A common cover crop in small farm rotations, millet seed is easy to come by in bulk. And chickens love it, so birds should too! Great for large areas that you don’t know what to plant, or places that could use a season of lying fallow to accumulate nutrients.
Safflower
Commonly used for it’s seed’s oil, safflower is an awesome thistle-like plant to grow in arid climates. It has a long taproot to help it in these dry conditions. Cardinals love it and it is used in most common bird feeds.
Niger Seed
This inauspicious little plant comes with a colorful backstory. Originally cultivated in Ethiopia, the seeds are commonly labelled as “thistle seed” and are a favorite of goldfinches. They are just now being cultivated and sold in America! If you’re an American gardener, check out The American Niger Seed Company
Black-Eyed Susan
A common staple in most gardens. This easy to grow cut flower also makes great bird seed. It’s a favorite of finches.
Wheat, Corn, Grass and Grains
Birds love cracked corn, as well as most types of grass seed, that probably grow like weeds in our gardens. Wheat, rye and other grains are also part of most wild bird’s diet. If your trying your hand at cultivating these grains or grasses you may have to fight off your bird friends. Or just plant enough for the both of you.
Fruits and Berries
Every other year or so, when the mulberry tree goes to fruit, we have to fight off squirrels and birds to get any berries for ourselves. Birds love most fruits and the leftovers can be dried to add to a bird seed mix. Most commercial feed brands include dried cherries, cranberries and raisins.
This is only the most common seeds that are featured in commercial bird feed. The best thing to do is plant things and see what interests the birds. Then you can save the leftover seed to add to a mix or just remember to grow that plant next year. Here’s a helpful website with more plant ideas as well as links to buy seed.
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