what can I do to keep birdseed from germinating?

I like feeding the birdies but the feeder is over a rock garden and the birds fling seeds to the ground which germinate giveng the rock garden an ugly appearance.

what can I use to keep the seed from germinating? Google search says to microwave the seed for 5 minutes, another said to use vinegar.

what about after the seed germinates, what can I use to kill the weed and not harm the birds?

 

no idea at all on how to stop the seeds germinating but maybe move the feeder to another area could solve the problem on the rock garden?
attracting birds into the garden always results in unwanted weeds and plants growing particularly brambles and elder here in the uk, they come in having fed elsewhere too and drop the seeds in their dung.
a bit of weeding though is a small price to pay for the pleasure of having the birds in your garden.
what varieties of seed do you feed by the way and what birds come in, i know nothing at all about texas but am interested to know.

 

Birdseed catch? I work at a garden center and we sell these metal dishes you attach to the bottom of the feeder to catch fallen seed. I also agree with just moving the feeder.

 

those dishes never seem to be big enough though seed still tends to get scattered, peanut feeders are good though most birds like them and they won't grow if dropped.

 

Move the feeder to some area you can mow underneath is the best idea. I don't think I would want to spray anything on the seeds to stop them from germinating.

 

I meant spray something on the weed which grew out of the seed. I know Roundup would work, but the hazard to the birds wouldn't be worth it.

I guess I will move the feeder to a grassy area where I can mow under it.
thanks all for the advice.

peace,
bob

 

But that something (that's not roundup) would effect any wanted plantings in the rock garden, no? Best to move it. Somebody mentioned putting a birdbath in the rock garden... Nice idea. Also if you have humming birds it would be a good place for a humming bird feeder... You might also get away with suet cakes for woodpeckers... Those seeds may or may not sprout, they would be easier to control at least.

Have fun bird watching! :2thumbsup:

 

My experience is NOTHING. lol Nothing safe for the birds, anyway...

Just move the bird feeders before they get too attached to it being there...or accept you may need to move that rock garden.

Where I now have 2 feeders, I ONCE had (past tense - haha on me) a neat area for a mini-bed. At the beginning, I had no idea that throwing out MUCH seed would be part of the eating ritual. Now, after years of watching the birds, I've come to the conclusion that they toss out more of the seed than they choose to eat.

 

Put like a cloth under the feeder to collect the seeds like the net the trapies people use

 

wouldnt roasting them in an oven kill the seeds


and make them tasty :drool5:

 

I Think Roasting The Birds, Serving Them With A Side Of Veges,

And A Glass Of Fine Awestralian Wine Would Be More Nutritional....



Cheers Glen.

 

but if they're small like sparrows, the veg would be bigger than the birds.

now if it was turkeys, then..............:2thumbsup: