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PLANTING WINTER BIRD SEED. BEST TIME?

  • 02-07-2025 12:40AM
    #1
    Mach Two
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 760 ✭✭✭


    When is the best time to plant winter bird seed. Is there better germination in Feb/Mar compared to April/May?



Comments

  • #2
    Base price
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,699 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    Depends on the weather, soil type and what area of Ireland you live in.



  • #3
    queueeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭queueeye


    Whatever about germination, you’ll have a far easier time stopping the crows from cleaning it out in February as opposed to May.



  • #4
    Mach Two
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Mach Two


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123605470#Comment_123605470

    I thought the crows would be a bigger problem in Feb/March. Have you experience in planting the crop in February.



  • #5
    queueeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭queueeye


    Usually sow it just in the nick of time!

    Shorter days in the earlier months make bird control easier though.



  • #6
    Mach Two
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Mach Two


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123609109#Comment_123609109

    That would be true about the crows. And no young crows around. How do you plant it?



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  • #7
    queueeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭queueeye


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123617537#Comment_123617537

    If there’s a good cover of grass, I plough, sow with a disc harrow mounted air seeder, harrow again then roll. Fertiliser spreader will do if you don’t have a seeder.

    If seeding into stubble or very short grass I skip the ploughing as the disc will redden the ground enough for the seed to germinate.



  • #8
    Mach Two
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 760 ✭✭✭Mach Two


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123619062#Comment_123619062

    Last year I stiched it in and had a great crop. It grew very well. This year I stiched it in and nothing grew. I think it was too dry. Nothing grew. I had to replant it. This time I disked it. Germination is much better but I still think lack of water is a problem. Very little water falling. Cattle out since the 1st February. Only came in for 3 days since.

    Could I plant it by letting the cattle rough it up and spreading the seed with a fertiliser spreader?



  • #9
    queueeye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭queueeye


    I wouldn’t bother buying seed a third time but that’s just me. How long has it been growing? Is there any evidence of establishment visible? If there is I’d take pictures to prove something grew. That, together with the paperwork from the seed purchases should give you some sort of a case if the dept call to you.



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