inexpensive sunflower seeds for greens?

[parsnip]

Hello all,

I'd like to start growing sunflower greens, but am having a surprisingly hard time finding inexpensive sunflowers seeds still in the hull. The only local sources I've found either sell it in small expensive bags, or for a very reasonable price ($1.99/lb) but I'd have to buy 25 pounds and that's too much (at least until I've done it a few times and know I like them).

I know I can order them online, but they're a lot more expensive plus the shipping is expensive too. I know I've seen them in other parts of the country in grocery store bulk bins, but not here in Louisville (there are practically no stores that have bulk bins here).

The sunflower seeds sold for birds are everywhere and cheap, so I'm tempted to try growing those. I know these aren't recommended for human consumption, but I can't remember why. I'm also wondering if I could get organic seeds for birds, and if that would be okay.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Revvell]

I was going to suggest a bird shop. I went to a demo on growing wheatgrass and sunflower seeds and he used sunflower seeds from a petshop. Black something-or-other.

Revvell (http://LetsTalkRaw.com)

[oceanluv]

I was going to suggest a bird shop. I went to a demo on growing wheatgrass and sunflower seeds and he used sunflower seeds from a petshop. Black something-or-other.

Revvell (http://LetsTalkRaw.com)

I have sprouted the "bird"seeds, they are fine. I have also harvested the sf seeds that spilled from the bird feeder and sprouted in the lawn. Tastes great (checked for bird poop, first, though) ;)
I think the kind of seeds you are refering to are black oil type ?

[spicyfull]

I use the "hulled" Sunflower Seeds from Trader Joe's. They WILL sprout and Grow. At one time they were .89 a lb but the price has gotten a little higher but they will serve your need.

[Revvell]

I have sprouted the "bird"seeds, they are fine. I have also harvested the sf seeds that spilled from the bird feeder and sprouted in the lawn. Tastes great (checked for bird poop, first, though) ;)
I think the kind of seeds you are refering to are black oil type ?

That would be them and I also harvest the sf seed sprouts from the bird feeder. Uh, bird poop? :D

[Ilse W.]

Bird poop is prized fertilizer...

[Revvell]

Not in me mouth it aint. :p;)

[barkwheats]

You could look for a small natural foods distributor in your area and open up a wholesale account with them. That's what I do with some of my friends, and we just all go in on an order and they deliver it on their route to the coops down the street for free.

Worth checking out. :)

[parsnip]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm currently sprouting the black oil seeds sold as birdfood. They seem to be sprouting just fine; once I've grown a few batches and have found out whether or not I plan to keep growing them, I'll probably take the plunge and buy a 25lb bag of the organic seeds from a local health food store.

I'll also try buckwheat and flax and some other seeds as I can find them!

[Nektar]

I have sprouted both the Black Oil sunflower seeds sold as bird seed and the organic sunflower seeds sold in bulk at my health food store. There was no comparison...the black oil seeds grew into far superior sprouts. Green and tall while the organic seeds were puny and many didn't sprout well at all. I now grow sunflower greens exclusively with black oil seeds and they taste great!

[pixie_333]

Not in me mouth it aint. :p;)

some bird poop landed in cyndi laupers mouth while she was performing and she said she never sang better!