Teasel (1 Viewer)

[RedJango]

Hi all

First of all - I am useless at gardening!! Which in a lot of ways, is good for the birds, as my garden isn't going to win any awards for tidyness.

I have read quite a few times on here that Goldfinches love Teasel, but that it can be very hard to grow, but also it is very successful at self seeding - so I guess I'm asking where are good places to get Teasel seeds from, so i can throw them around the back garden a bit, where I don't mind what grows there??

Thanks all!!

 

[d.steeley]

Just put 'Teasel seeds' in google and you will find many suppliers.

Dave

 

[RedJango]

Sorry, I didn't mention that I meant where would be a good place to look for them wild, what kind of habitats should I look for.

I'm on a thrifty mission here ...

 

[RoyH]

Hello RedJango
Just go look out on the land for teasels, if you handle them carefully while you get them home, shake them out over the garden, with a bit of luck the seed will germinate later. I have self sets in my garden. I use them to dress my photographic set at my feeding station. If you sprinkle Niga seed on the Teasels that will attract the Goldfinch... This image was taken recently I still have the set dressed with Teasels.
Good luck.

Roy.

 

[Marmot]

Don't bother buying/planting one they are more trouble than they are worth!

I bought a plant a few years ago at a market garden stall and planted it, within about a year or so it had grown to about 3 to 4 feet. Yes I had about 4 Goldfinch came and investigated it and think one had a nibble from it.

But then on a windy day, and with them not being too deep rooted the plant blew over, I didn't bother replanting it. But a few months later I had tiny teasel plants growing in the lawn and the borders...I took over 100 plants out! Even now a few rogue ones are still sprouting up and are dug out asap.

So unless you are not bothered about digging out plants left right and centre, or you have a patio area to put it in a pot, just by the seed from your pet shop.

 

[RedJango]

Well, spookily, this afternoon whilst out at Attenborough Nature Reserve, I came across a small patch of them, but they looked like the on in the pic above with the Goldie on it, so I kind of assumed they had lost all of their seeds - they looked 'empty'.

I left it there, and reading your post Marmot, it sounds like the best option!!

Thanks for your replies guys.

 

[markgrubb]

Well, spookily, this afternoon whilst out at Attenborough Nature Reserve, I came across a small patch of them, but they looked like the on in the pic above with the Goldie on it, so I kind of assumed they had lost all of their seeds - they looked 'empty'.

I left it there, and reading your post Marmot, it sounds like the best option!!

Thanks for your replies guys.

Teasel won't have seeds now-they will have scattered in the autumn. I have teasel in the garden and they self seed but have not been a huge problem-probably similar to foxgloves. We grew them from seed just scattering them in a wild area and they grew fine-if they are left exposed they will blow over in strong winds. By a wall they are fine and they give some form to the garden late in the year when everything else has gone.They are also biennial so no heads until the second year

 

[RedJango]

Thanks Mark, I'll keep an eye out for them this Autumn and maybe give them a bash in a corner of the backyard, maybe between the stables and the butlers quarters.


(Kidding, I have a tiny back garden, but I will give them a go!!)

 

[RoyH]

Thanks Mark, I'll keep an eye out for them this Autumn and maybe give them a bash in a corner of the backyard, maybe between the stables and the butlers quarters.


(Kidding, I have a tiny back garden, but I will give them a go!!)

Don't hold your breath hoping to see birds feeding on the Teasels my Goldfinch have been given help if you want to go to the trouble of sprinkling them with Niga seed like I do but I only do that for a different photograph composition. Teasels need supporting, I don't have a problem with the self sets they look beautiful when in full flower. If you have found a patch you maybe able to dig a seedling up later for replanting.

The attached image of my set up, I can dress that with what I like. As you can see the Teasels have been attached to my set.

Regards

Roy.

 

[Seamoor]

feeding goldfinches

I tried teasal seeds and this did not work neither did ninja seeds, but I can have up to 30 Goldfinches at a time and they all love sunflower hearts.

 

[RedJango]

Hi Seamoor, do you have a description or better yet, a photo of your garden??

I'm always interested to see other peoples garden setups!!

 

[Seamoor]

My garden is very small I have three bird feeding stations, a very large garden shed a 8 x 6 pond and a small patio area. Today I had 6 siskins on my feeders as well as gold finches great tits coal tits nlue tits male and female bull finches green finches robin blackbird and dunnock and forgot to say a Brambling and nut hatch