Bird feeder and container gardening...Bad Combo?

Question

I've started a container garden on my small balcony. Additionally, I've hung a bird feeder. At first, the effect from the bird feeder was disastrous, because the birds kept throwing around the seed, which fell into the containers and sprouted. I switched from seed to sunflower hearts and chips. These still fall into the plants, but don't seem to sprout. But do you think this is okay for the plants? Will the sunflower seed debris hurt them? Or will the sunflower debris break down and actually be good for the plants? Will the debris attract ants, and, if so, do ants harm plants (flowers--I've got no veggies or edible plants)?

Thanks in advance for any and all help! :)

Answer 1

This is what birds do with the food you feed them. Any seed that drops from the feeder to the plants but it does not hurt them. Evenif they do sprout then you only need to do a bit of weeding. Any seeds will eventually grow given the chance, it won't do your plants any good but they won't do any harm either. It will not attract ants, neither do ants do plants any harm. Incidently, Ants like sweet things, sugar juice etc.