What do heirloom seeds mean?
Heirloom” describes a seed’s heritage, specifically a documented heritage being passed down from generation to generation within a family or community. The two terms – heirloom and heritage – are interchangeable, heritage being the more colloquial British term and heirloom being the more globally recognised term and the term more often used by chefs.
What is a heirloom variety 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. The opposite of heirloom is hybrid. Both of these can be either organic or chemically fertilized. An heirloom is a (usually) older variety that is stable to use for seed collection. A hybrid is a new combination of two parent plants that will likely not produce the same product if you collect the seeds.While a significant number of seeds are available as organic and heirloom varieties, not all seeds may have both options. Some plant varieties are challenging to produce organically due to specific growth requirements or limited availability of heirloom seeds.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.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.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.
Why are they called heirloom seeds?
The term heirloom to describe a seed variety was first used in the 1930s by horticulturist and vegetable grower J. R. Hepler to describe bean varieties handed down through families. Unlike modern hybrids, heirloom seeds have been carefully preserved and passed down through generations for their unique traits. These open-pollinated seeds offer incredible flavor, genetic diversity, and a direct connection to the past.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.Heirloom varieties must be open pollinated, meaning that pollination occurs naturally by insect, bird, wind, or animal. Seed produced by the heirloom variety will grow true to type (it will resemble the parent plant) as long as the flowers were pollinated by the same variety.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.