I recently moved my birdfeeders to where I can see them from the kitchen window. That's also where my flower garden is. Someone said sunflower seed hulls will kill my plants. True?

Sunflower seeds can kill any weeds or other plants around it if they sprout and if the seeds are planted thickly. That is why they make a good crop cover or green manure.

Hi - I just discovered this weekend that there is such a product as chipped sunflower seeds for your birdfeeders. It's a bit more expensive, but then you're not paying for the bulky shells that the birds don't eat anyway - plus no cleanup or problems with your flowers/plants dieing. I found the chipped sunflower seeds (I think that's what they were called) at a Wild Birds Unlimited store....you may want to check it out, sounds like it might be the answer to your problem.

All the best,
Janet

Last year, we discovered hull-less birdseed at my local nursery, and it has made me a happy camper -- attracts all kinds of birds -- some we have never seen at the feeder before! The mix contains a high percentage of hull-less sunflower seed and raw peanuts mixed with thistle, millet and a few others. This winter, I chopped up some old dried fruit (apricots, peaches and apples) and mixed it in. The doves keep the ground clean of spillover, and there are no hulls to litter the area, either.

Because of the bears in the area, we can't set up our feeder between April and November, and are limited to the time of year that the bears are either in hibernation or not moving too far from their den. But we do love to watch the birds!