What do heirloom seeds mean?
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. Heirlooms are seed varieties that are at least 50 years old, and you can save these seeds and plant them year after year. Heirlooms are never hybrids or GMOs. Hybrids are crosses of heirloom varieties. If you save hybrid seeds, you won’t get what you expect.Gardening organically with non-GMO seeds is always a better choice. Heirloom seeds, even without an organic label, are mostly chemical-free. Seeds are the starting point of any garden – their DNA determines the size and the quality of the produce that you will be receiving.The most extensive collection of rare and unusual heirloom seeds. An heirloom variety is any vegetable, herb, or flower variety that has been cultivated for fifty or more years.Heirloom seeds can be more affordable, as they are not genetically modified. It can also be more affordable to grow heirloom plant varieties because you can preserve your seeds and continue to grow them for generations. You get exceptional flavors and numerous nutritional benefits for less.Though often also organic, heirloom seeds do not have to be. In many cases, heirloom plants do meet the guidelines of the USDA’s National Organic Program because they are typically grown by small-scale gardeners who have adopted organic farming practices.
What is the difference between heirloom and organic seeds?
Organic seeds are naturally produced. However, the certified organic seeds involve practicing controlled and completely organic methods of farming with no use of chemicals. Heirloom seeds are produced by open-pollination carried out by pollinators like birds, bees and wind. Overall, heirloom seeds are less expensive. There is no fancy cross-pollination or expensive lab modifications. If you take a look at the seeds on the store seed rack, you will notice that the price reflects that.Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated seeds (meaning that they are pollinated by wind, rain, insects, or other natural means) that have been passed down through generations of gardeners. These seeds are true to their parent plants and must be at least 50 years old to be classified as heirlooms.
What are examples of heirloom seeds?
Popular heirloom plants include tomatoes, beans, corn (maize), lettuce, melons, okra, collard greens, sunflowers, zinnias, and foxgloves. Heirlooms are typically easy to grow, even if you’re a beginner gardener. With their high germination and success rates, heirlooms are a great choice if you are just starting your garden.
How long will heirloom seeds last?
For short-term storage, such as for next year’s garden, storing the seed jar in a cool, dark, moisture-free environment is sufficient. Heirloom seeds stored this way will last for 3-5 years. For longer storage, place the jar in the refrigerator and the seeds should be good for 10-15 years. 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.How long do seeds usually last? When stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, seeds for many garden vegetables will be viable for around 3 years. Some, like onions and parsnips, are viable for only a year or two. Others, like squashes and tomatoes, last longer, for 5+ years.How experts define heirlooms can vary, but typically they are at least 50 years old, and are often pre-WWII varieties. Most heirlooms come from seed that has been handed down for generations in a particular region or area, hand-selected by gardeners for a special trait.
How are heirloom seeds created?
The name gives you a hint: heirloom seeds are old-fashioned seeds that have been handed down from generation to generation. Most heirloom seeds are at least 50 years old and sometimes much older. Clearly, the seeds themselves are not that old, or they wouldn’t germinate. Unlike heirlooms, however, the seed saved from hybrids will not grow true to type in the next generation and will be less vigorous and more genetically variable.
What seeds are better, heirloom or hybrid?
Finally, heirloom seeds are often much more diverse, unique, and delicious than their commercial hybrid counterparts. Because hybrid seeds are often bred for commercial producers, the most important characteristics are often uniformity, long shelf life, and disease resistance. Hybrids are not produced from just growing the same parent plant, but from two different varieties. Only their next generation will show the desired traits, so if you keep the seeds you may get something a little or a lot off.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.Hybrid seeds are normally bred to have better yielding fruit, shelf life and disease resistance and have an earlier harvest date than heirloom seed.A Few Basics Keep in mind, you can only save seeds from heirloom plants. Hybrid varieties will usually not grow and if they do, they won’t produce the same type of plant, if at all. For more info on this grab a free copy of my eBook: Heirloom Gardening Guide-Plant to Save Money.