Toxin from Sunflower Hulls - Knowledgebase Question

Name: Garden Friend
old town, ME
Avatar for sherryanne19
Question by sherryanne19
March 21, 1998
I feed the squirrels and the birds with black oil sunflower seeds. I get a buildup under the feeders, falling into my flowerbeds. It seems to inhibit growth of many plants. Even with regular raking I have lost many young spring plants. What plants will withstand the seeds?


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Answer from NGA
March 21, 1998
Yes, there IS a toxin in the hulls of sunflower seeds that wil kill plants...whether grass or other plants. The simple, and MUCH neater aproach is to buy "Sunflower Hearts" or "Chipped Sunflower Seed". I have been doing this for years and it sure makes a difference. The birds eat EVERYTHING. If the seed drops to the ground, the ground feeders pick it up-or the squirrels and chipmunks get it.

It is more expensive, but you're not paying for the hulls...or the time you need toput in to clean up the mess! It really does work. Take it from one who knows. :-)


Avatar for Dory1025
A comment from Dory1025
May 24, 2021
Will the shells from seeds affect the growth of my flowering pear tree? My feeders are planted right next to my tree

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