Heirloom Seed and Heritage Seed
Learn about heirloom seed, heritage seed, heirloom plants, heirloom vegetables like heirloom tomato seed or organic heirloom tomato seed.
Jul 31, 2006
What IS an heirloom seed, heritage seed, heirloom plant, heirloom vegetable?
The terms "heirloom seed" and "heritage seed" are used interchangeably.
An heirloom plant is an open-pollinated cultivar that was commonly grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not used in modern large-scale agriculture. Since most popular heirloom plants are vegetables, the term heirloom vegetable is often used instead. The trend of growing heirloom plants in gardens has been growing in popularity in the United States and Europe over the last decade.
Before the industrialization of agriculture, a much wider variety of plant foods was grown for human consumption. In modern agriculture in the Industrialized World, most food crops are now grown in large, monocultural plots owned by corporations. In order to maximize consistency, few varieties of each type of crop are grown. These varieties are often selected for their productivity, their ability to withstand the long trips to supermarkets, or their tolerance to drought, frost, or pesticides.
Nutrition, flavor, and variety are frequently secondary and tertiary concerns, if at all a concern. Heirloom gardening can be seen as a reaction against this trend. In the Global South, heirloom plants are still widely grown, for example in the home gardens of South and Southeast Asia, although their future is uncertain. (Courtesy of Wikipedia.)
Where can I buy heirloom seeds?
Following is a review of three popular heirloom seed companies that offer open pollinated, non genetically engineered heirloom seeds. All have websites.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
This is a wonderful source for heirloom seeds and other open-pollinated (non-hybrid) seeds with an emphasis on vegetables, flowers, and herbs that grow well in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Per the website: "We support seed saving and traditional seed breeding. Seed savers and breeders are to thank for our rich selection and we will do whatever we can to support our customers and associates to carry on this noble tradition."
Read their article, "Why We Specialize in Heirlooms"
In addition to fine quality heirloom seeds, Baker Creek offers a free newsletter and a subscription magazine for heirloom gardeners. Per the website:
"At last, a magazine for serious gardeners that is beautifully illustrated in full color! It is for home gardeners, seed savers, specialty growers, heritage cooks and history buffs. We average 15 feature length articles per issue on topics covering all aspects of vegetable varieties and history, organic cultivation, antique flowers, marketing specialty produce, seed saving, gene-altered foods, exotic seed collecting trips, traditional uses for plants, and growing and historical facts about ethnic varieties."
Heirloom Seeds and Heirloom Tomatoes.
All the varieties of seeds Heirloom Seeds sells are open pollinated (non-hybrid) and untreated. None of the seeds they sell are genetically engineered. In addition to quality heirloom seeds, they offer a selection of gardening books and a variety of garden supplies.
Saving Heirloom Seed and Heirloom Seed vs Hybrid
For more information on heirloom seeds, see my previous articles, Saving Heirloom Seeds and Heirloom Seeds vs Hybrid.
