Grow your own seed?

[hilljack13]

Does anyone grow their own millet or other seed for their birds? I'm looking to start a nice garden when I get back and have seen several cover crops that produce seed I could feed my birds. Just curious if anyone has done or thought of doing and how it worked out.

[paul-inAZ]

Easy.
When you empty out mostly eaten seed trays just scatter outside and water.
Works well.
They love the partially ripe seed heads.

[dutch]

hilljack13....the birds love it...they eat the seed and stem...perfect food for breeding birds

[finchmix22]

I've done the same as Paulin-AZ, I toss seed from plates in my backyard and water as normal. Then, they grow and I snip the seed heads as they sprout for the finches. They can't get enough. Also, I never treat my yard with pesticides. I use natural bugs, etc. to control most of the yard, but it grows pretty naturally.

[KennethGriffin]

I don't have the luxury of a yard, as I am in a apt, but I have taken their seed mixture and "planted them in shallow pots and allowed them to sprout. Ive also sandwiched the seed between damp paper towels and placed in a ziplock in the sun the encourage sprouting... they loved this too!

[Learning Finch]

I have a few long potting containers. Im in the process of growing a sproutting mix. The grass's and leafy plants are about 6" tall. I put one container in and the birds devoured it. Should I leave the remaining containers out until they sprout seeds? also...what about the wild birds eating everything??

[hilljack13]

Thanks for the reply's. Think I'll plan on doing this in the future.

[paul-inAZ]

Wild birds will go after the seed heads just as avidly as yours will.
I cut them, greens and all, when still partially ripe to partially minimize that loss.

[Ginene]

I cant do this where I live, as they spray pesticides from helicopters throughout the summer to minimize West Nile Virus . Unless I had a greenhouse and did it in pots...I guess that's always an option

[lovezebs]

Ginene and all.
I was thinking of trying out the seeds in the pot idea. I know that where I have house plants around my flight, there always things sprouting in them. So if I was to just plant them in shallow little dishes and put them in the flights once they sprout, it should work. Any idea what kind of soil is ok for that? 'Cause most potting soils have additives in them....

[Ginene]

lovezebs...sounds like a good idea. I think Lauren grows her own wheat grass for her finches, so she would know. Definitely organic soil would be safest

[lovezebs]

Ginene
I don't know Lauren, do I?
I was thinking of just taking their regular seed and see what pops up. Now I have to figure out where to buy organic soil too. What we don't do for these little guys...

[Ginene]

lovezebs...oh, sorry . I just asked her on finchaholics...she uses MiracleGro Organic Choice .

[lovezebs]

Ginene
Thanks.
Will have to look for that. Not sure if I had seen that around here, but we shall see.

[Ginene]

Its the potting soil one...I don't remember ever seeing it either. But I am going to look for it too