Rewilding My Lot

In our new and empty lot, it was a pleasant surprise to get a number of volunteer sunflowers this spring. When they’re not in the way of access or other projects, I am leaving them in place as long as possible because they are clearly food and shelter for a variety of insects and birds.

Some birds sit in the sunflower plants and peck seeds out of the flower heads. Others graze on the ground. Several times a day I see two Mourning Doves (maybe the same ones?) picking seeds off the ground. In this photo they’re to the left of the plants.

I was asked how big the seeds are from these wild sunflowers, so here’s a picture:

Compared to what are sold for human consumption, the “meaty” part of these seeds is much smaller (about 3mm or 1/8 inch long).