What is an heirloom seed? What value do they bring to a homestead lifestyle? I say lifestyle because not all live on a homestead right now, but are working to incorporate homestead and sustainable practices right where they are.
Heirloom seeds have no patent, are not genetically modified and not their own brand. These seeds are generations old, handed down seeds, some in existence for hundreds of years or more. Flowers, fruits, grains, and vegetables all have heirloom varieties.
Drawn, in part, by the independence an heirloom seed provides, I strive here on CG Heartbeats Farm to use as many heirloom seeds as I can. In 2019 almost everything I planted falls under the heirloom category: Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Glass Gem Popcorn, Sugar Baby Water Melon, Sweet Potatoes, and Squash. The carrots and potatoes did not.
Want to win $50.00 worth of Heirloom Seeds? I learned about this giveaway and when I entered I found out that I could share a link to gain more entries. How fun is that. Seeds For Generations is giving away $50.00 in FREE heirloom seeds. Click here to enter. When you do you will find ways to get more entries. (Yes, I too, gain entries when you enter) Lets have fun, support each other, heirloom seeds and Seeds for Generations.
An heirloom seed will reproduce itself. In other words, the fruit or vegetable that a seed comes from produces a plant that grows the same product with little or no variation in size or appearance.
If you choose to save seeds from an heirloom plant you will not need to buy any more seeds to grow that particular food. Cha-Ching! Money in your pocket!
As with any thing plant and animal small mutations occasionally occur. Even natural production is not a perfect operation perhaps more imperfect when compared to modern selection process.
Many modern seeds on the market produce a perfect looking crop for one year. If you save those seeds, they will not be able to reproduce themselves. A plant may grow but the product may be a different color, shape, ect. My thoughts on this topic of old genetic selection vs. current day start flowing fast.
Many modern seeds on the market produce a perfect looking crop for one year. If you save those seeds, they will not be able to reproduce themselves. A plant may grow but the product may be a different color, shape, ect. My thoughts on this topic of old genetic selection vs. current day start flowing fast.
I am reminded of the modern day meat bird that is F 30 or more. It cannot even live the life of a normal chicken. It has been developed to become highly proficient at growing fast and heavy muscle. What does F 30 mean? That is the number of generations that a breed has been bred back to a type of itself to promote the traits it is know for today. A lot of traits disappear in the process. I am not criticizing anyone who chooses to raise and eat these bird. They serve a purpose.
Rather, I mean to share the way certain traits disappear in both plants and animals when breeding for specifics. Disease resistance, drought or cold hardiness, and longevity may disappear over time. Isolating a particular trait can be a good thing in the short term, but diversity keeps life moving forward for future generations.
If suddenly seed companies failed to produce seeds, where does one find seeds? It takes seeds to grow food. We rely heavily today in our ability to run to the store, or jump online to order.
How does the human race survive with out these modern conviences? Heirloom seeds to the rescue. Saved in dry conditions they do not expire in a year or two (or three). In fact, seeds that fall naturally in the wild sometimes stay dormant in the soil for many years until the conditions are right.
The flavor of the heirloom tomatoes I raised this year compares to no other tomato. I wonder how much is lost in flavor and texture when moving toward the perfect modern vegetable and fruit.
The flavor of the heirloom tomatoes I raised this year compares to no other tomato. I wonder how much is lost in flavor and texture when moving toward the perfect modern vegetable and fruit.
Are foods produced from heirloom seeds healthier? I am not certain the true answer to that question will be revealed in my generation. I do believe in some regard they are, but I have no research to quote backing up my opinion.
Are foods produced from heirloom seeds healthier? I am not certain the true answer to that question will be revealed in my generation. I do believe in some regard they are, but I have no research to quote backing up my opinion.
Downside of Heirloom Seeds
In order to preserve the integrity of the next generation of heirloom seeds the current crop must be planted out of reach from pollen from a different variety of the same crop. For example, I planted Glass Jem popcorn this year, but will not be saving any for seed. All the farmers planted corn near me and next year they will plant beans. Next year, I will save the seed.
Right now, through November 30, 2019 enter to win $50 worth of free heirloom seeds from Seeds for Generations a family owned business located in Virginia. When you enter you will be given a discount code to use on a future order. They will also show you how you can gain additional entries.
Because there are only 11 acres here, I do not have enough space to plant multiple varieties of certain vegetables and maintain the integrity of the next generations seed. While productive, the land here is not enough space here to plant different varieties of one kind.