I’ve had a large packet of sesame seeds in my cupboard for quite some time. At least two years. As they came from Fuel for Schools (The Real Junk Food Project, which I’ve mentioned in previous posts), they might well have been out of date when I got them, so I’ve been feeding them to the birds.
The pigeons seemed to be enjoying them in the past few weeks, so with some relatively uncovered ground in the back garden, I gave it a liberal sprinkling. But the pigeons stopped dropping in for a mouthful, which I thought was down to finding a more appealing food source.
Then I noticed that the seeds were no more. In their place there are now seedlings instead and I have a feeling these seedlings have germinated from what I would have expected to be truly dead seeds.
I have actually tried to grown sesame from seeds in a deliberate fashion. I can no longer remember why I didn’t get any further than seedlings but I imagine the unintended consequences of spreading bird feed will ultimately fare no better.
I’ll let you know, though, if I’m inundated with fresh seeds!
FYI – Sesame can be stored for maximum 5 years in proper conditions.
Good Luck
Happy Gardening
Thank you for this information re keeping sesame seeds.
When I kept poultry I kept finding grains had germinated from their left-overs. Sometimes it was a bonus and sometimes a nuisance!
Yes, it can be both!
What fun to see them sprout, Helen. I’m looking forward to hearing your results as time progresses.
I have a feeling it will be too late for them now, Alys, but who knows!
Ah well. It is the end of summer, eh? Next year perhaps.
Yes, thankfully, darker nights 😊
Not recycled by the birds?
On this occasion, I don’t think so
🙂