Grow your own bird food
Find out which plants to grow that provide food for birds.
Buying seed and food for birds can be expensive. But by taking advantage of the free seeds produced by many garden plants, you can save money, help garden birds thrive and enjoy an attractive garden, too.
If you grow plants that produce easy-to-access or abundant seeds, birds won't have to spend as much energy looking for food. Not only that, both the plants and the birds they attract will add interest to your garden.
Discover plants that can help you to feed garden birds.
Teasel
The tawny seedheads of teasel contain thousands of small oblong seeds. Sow them in February to attract goldfinches and as a low-energy alternative to nyjer seed. The purple and green flowerheads are a summer bonus.
Hazel
Hazel makes an ideal wildlife plant for the smaller garden. Try planting it to attract strong-billed nuthatches, that can break open or hammer holes into the tough woody shells to reach the seed inside. Plant from December - March as a bare-root or potted shrub.
Miscanthus
Greenfinches and goldfinches love the striking seedheads of miscanthus. Leave them be until March, for birds to feed on when other seedheads may have been dispersed. Plant in late February after soil has warmed up, or alternatively, try growing panicum grasses.
Ornamental thistle
The flowers of Cirsium rivulare produce masses of fluffy seeds and are particularly attractive to finches and dunnocks. Just be sure to leave the last flowers on so they can set seed. Plant them in late February as the soil warms.
Birch
Fast-growing native birches not only produce many seeds, but also support over 300 species of insect, to serve as food for birds. The papery white bark and pendulous branches are an additional bonus in winter.
Sunflowers
The tightly packed 'seeds' of sunflowers are actually a type of dry fruit – achenes – each containing a single seed. When ripe in autumn, birds enjoy feeding on the oil-rich hearts, often discarding the husks. Sow seeds under cover from February to attract blue tits, great tits and chaffinches.
Globe thistle
The spherical flowerheads of globe thistles are pleasing to the eye, and produce smooth brown seeds held inside each calyx, that are easily picked off by finches. The steel-blue flowers are also a bonus to insects in summer. Plant in late February, or sow outside in April.
Kate Bradbury says
Don’t forget berrying plants, such as holly, hawthorn, ivy and cotoneaster. These provide a perennial supply of food just when the birds need it, and will save you money, too.
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