Goldfinches may struggle to find enough food this September, as the dry summer has made the small seeds they rely on more scarce. The Scottish Wildlife Trust has revealed a simple way for gardeners to help: plant teasels, one of the birds' favourite foods.
Why goldfinches need extra food in autumn
Autumn is when goldfinches need more food as they are growing new feathers, which takes a lot of energy, and they need to start putting on weight to survive winter. They will start to travel in large groups to find food, but the dry summer has reduced the availability of the small seeds they depend on.
Teasel plants are great throughout the year, attracting insects with their purple flowers in the summer, and in the winter, the seed heads dry out, providing food for the goldfinch.
How teasels help goldfinches feed
Goldfinches have long and narrow beaks, which makes it difficult for them to pull big seeds out of flowers. Teasels are the perfect plant for them, as their flowerheads are filled with tiny seeds and have sturdy stems, making it easy for the birds to eat them.
Teasel seeds are rich in fats and carbohydrates, which provide goldfinches with the nutrients they need for autumn. Growing teasels is one of the kindest ways gardeners can help goldfinches at a time when most of their natural food sources will be depleted, as teasels continue to grow seeds in cold weather.
How to grow teasels in the garden
Teasels are hardy plants, as they are used to growing in the cold Scottish highlands, so they tend to thrive no matter what soil type you have in a garden. However, they like a lot of water, so it is best to keep their soil moist while they are growing to keep them healthy.
The best time to sow teasels is from September to November due to the milder weather, but they can also be sown in spring, around March. If you are growing them for goldfinches, plant several teasels together, as these birds like to travel in groups, which will help provide more seeds for them.
