What is an heirloom seed?
Kim Schwind The definition of ‘heirloom’ is not always agreed upon — some say an heirloom variety must be at least fifty years old, some say it should be older. But generally speaking, an heirloom seed comes from a plant variety that has been passed on through several generations within a family or community. Both hybrid and heirloom seeds can reproduce through open pollination. When the plant is pollinated by a plant of the same variety, or through self-pollination, it is an heirloom plant. Any seeds from these plants hold their parent plant’s traits.The lifespan of heirloom seeds depends on the type of seed. Some seeds can remain viable for several years, while others may last 10-15 years or even longer. Proper storage is vital in ensuring that your seeds stay in optimal condition and have a high germination rate.Heirloom seeds are those that have been saved and passed down over time and must be open-pollinated. Open-pollination is the natural way of a plant becoming pollinated by the wind, rain, bees and birds. These heirloom seeds are more likely to get diseases and have larger, oddly shaped fruit.This simply isn’t true. Heirloom seeds are just as easy to grow as other seeds, as long as you provide them with the basic care that any plant requires: good soil, sunlight, water, and attention to their specific needs.Seed Saving Power: Unlike hybrids, heirloom plants produce seeds you can save and replant year after year — a sustainable, cost-effective way to grow food.
How do I plant heirloom seeds?
Fill your containers with the moistened mix and press it down into the container so that you have a firm bed for the seeds. You don’t want them to fall down to the bottom of the container and not germinate! With a stick or pencil, create a little trench in the soil or punch a small row of shallow holes. In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period. Some seeds will naturally float, and some will stay below the surface.
Where can I get heirloom seeds?
America’s Premier Source for Heirloom Seeds RareSeeds. Baker Creek is your trusted source for buying heirloom seeds online. Explore one of the largest selections of rare, open-pollinated, non-GMO vegetable, herb, and flower seeds—perfect for home gardens, market farms, and organic growers. Unlike hybrid seeds, heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, meaning they are genetically stable and can be saved and replanted year after year, retaining their unique characteristics.
How to identify heirloom seeds?
While some organizations label seeds as heirlooms according to dates—for example, a variety that dates back more than five decades—Seed Savers Exchange identifies heirlooms by verifying and documenting the generational history of preserving and passing on the seed, emphasizing the seed’s tie to a specific group of . Heirloom plants are typically open pollinated, meaning their seeds are open pollinated by insects, birds, or the wind rather than controlled cross-pollinating. This allows gardeners to practice seed saving, collecting and replanting seeds that reliably grow the same variety year after year.
What makes a plant an heirloom plant?
Heirloom vegetables are old, open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation. They are living artifacts and living history exhibits. They also are a reservoir of genetic diversity. Back to those three main types of vegetable seeds: hybrid, open-pollinated, and heirloom. So grab a coffee and let’s chat, starting with hybrid seeds.Seeds harvested from heirloom vegetable varieties will reproduce ‘true’; meaning they’ll grow into plants that are identical in every way to the parent plant.