Can I use bird food sunflower seeds for planting

[Matt84]

I have a bag of sunflower seeds which were primarily bought as bird food. I am wondering if I can plant these out or whether they will have been processed in some way which wouldn't allow me to do this. The reason I ask is that they are so much cheaper to buy in bird food packs as oppose to seed packs. Also if I grow sunflowers they will in turn produce more seed so the birds wont lose out.

Many thanks,
Matt

[taff]

I don't see why not.

If you want some bushy red sunflower seeds, pm me, send an s.a.e, and you have have some.I have loads from last year.

[Glutton4...]

I'd guess they've been dried, and maybe stored for ages, so may no-longer be viable. There's only one way to find out though!

Go for it!

[Two_Sheds]

yes they're viable, yes they grow very well from a direct sowing (they are never as strong from transplanting)

[Magiccat1978]

I have grown them too, a few years ago when my first lot got eaten by something I just chucked them in on the off chance and I got some lovely flowers

[Bren In Pots]

All bird seeds seems to grow because I'm always pulling up seedling from under the bird table.

[ginger ninger]

Yup, I grew them from bird seed a number of years ago and they were fine, the birds loves the dry heads and they store pretty well still in the seed head, so you can hang them out in winter.

[weekendwellies]

All bird seeds seems to grow because I'm always pulling up seedling from under the bird table.

I was just going to say the same. Not that I have put any out for some time, but that is what used to happen.

[rustylady]

Unless you want a specific colour or height then bird food sunflower seeds are fine.

[gillian62]

Sunflower seeds

I'm wondering how much corn I will end up growing this year, as it seems to get scattered around by my chickens when I feed them when I am sorting seeds/seedlings out in the garden.