No Big Mystery...

In the last few years we have heard about heirloom vegetables, but what do we really know about them other than that they came from old seeds? Are there advantages to planting heirloom vs. commercial seeds and plants?

First of all, what the heck are heirloom plants? Just like heirloom jewelry, heirloom plants/seeds are passed down from generation to generation in a family. Each variety is genetically unique and has developed a resistance to pests and diseases native to their environment. Heirloom plants are sometimes bred into modern crops to improve their resistance; without heirlooms, food production is at risk.


The development of modern hybrid seeds has increased crop sizes and yields, but the crops have no flavor. Have you seen the tomatoes in the grocery store? Enough said. Hybrid crops are meant to be grown quickly and able to withstand shipping. Heirloom crops are meant to be home-grown and have that wonderful flavor that only home-grown veggies have.

Heirloom seeds/plants are generally more reliable than hybrids, as long as they are suited to your soil conditions. Heirloom crops are open-pollinated, meaning that you can save your own seeds and re-plant year after year, allowing you to develop a locally-adapted strain. This will also save you money since you don't have to buy new seeds every season. Heirlooms also provide a continuous harvest since, unlike hybrid seeds, they are not genetically programmed to all grow at the same rate. This give you great freedom to extend your growing season.



Finally, when you grow heirloom seeds, you are preserving history. Many heirloom varieties are over 100 years old. Every heirloom seed/plant has a story behind it and can be handed down for generations to come. Heirloom seeds just may be one of your family's finest, um, heirlooms!

"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands."-Thomas Jefferson