There are two main types of vegetable seeds you can get for your garden: modern hybrids or heirloom varieties. Hybrids are created by crossing two selected varieties and can sometimes result in plants that are vigorous and have higher yields. Heirloom veggies are just as the name implies, they are older varieties that are open-pollinated. They are saved and handed down through multiple generations. And though they usually cost less than hybrid seeds, there are other reasons to choose heirlooms.
The number one reason many gardeners choose heirloom vegetables is for exceptional taste. Many hybrid programs sacrificed taste and nutrition for commercial shipability. Heirloom veggies are best performers in home and market gardens, letting flavor take center stage. These veggies were not made to travel cross-country because they didn’t have to. This allows heirlooms to be more nutritious as well as tender, sweet and juicy!
Because heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, you can save your own seeds to replant from year to year. Unlike hybrids, these seeds produce consistent results that are true to type. By saving seeds over several years, you can even choose from seeds that performed best in a particular year, giving you a seed strain that is more resistant to local diseases and pests. Not only will you get more reliable plants from year to year, but you will also save money because you don’t have to purchase new seeds every year as you would with hybrids.
Unlike hybrids, heirlooms are less uniform. This means they won’t ripen all at once. Being able to pick a crop all at once may be handier for a commercial grower, but for the home gardener, having a fresh supply of produce over the entire growing season is generally more preferable.
Heirloom seeds come with stories and hail from all over the world. When you purchase heirloom seeds, you are supporting generations of people who have taken the time and care to save these seeds. You are also encouraging genetic diversity for future generations.
The demand for heirloom seeds is increasing. This means that obtaining heirloom seeds isn’t as difficult as it once was. One way to get heirloom seeds is locally, such as at local farms, botanical gardens or even seed exchanges. You can also buy online. To make sure you are getting heirloom plants, look for the Safe Seed Pledge. Though it isn’t regulated, the Safe Seed Pledge is still a good sign that the company is only providing non-GMO products and many well-known seed companies have already signed up for this pledge, so be sure to check out their websites.