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Seeds purchased at a local gardening store are hybrid seeds, unless they specifically say “heirloom”.
What’s the difference? Why choose heirloom over hybrid?
Hybrid seeds are produced through cross-pollination, which is the mixing of plants of two different breeds to achieve a bigger product, a different look, etc. Some (not all) of these seeds are genetically engineered (genetically modified organisms – GMO), changing the DNA of the plant. For example, a cold water fish gene could be spliced into a tomato to make it more frost resistant. These practices threaten the purity of seeds everywhere. Studies have shown that foods grown from GMO seeds causes allergies, and affects the heart, spleen, adrenal, and blood cells. Also, many hybrid seeds are sterile and cannot be reproduced. For more information on GMO foods, read Seeds of Deception.
Heirloom seeds have been passed down from generation to generation. When using these seeds, you’re likely serving food from the same seeds that your grandparents used. Heirloom seeds are pure, open-pollinated and non-GMO. These healthy seeds can only be kept alive by backyard gardeners saving and re-sowing the seeds. The DNA of heirloom seeds has not been tampered with, therefore they contain all the health and nutrition they were created to have. The best book I have found on how to save your garden seeds and use them again and again, is The Complete Guide To Saving Seeds.
Also, vegetables planted with heirloom seeds have a much better flavor than the others!!!
There is no cheaper way to grow your own food than by saving and reusing your own seeds.
There is no better way to ensure your family will have fresh, healthy food to eat in this uncertain economy, than by sowing and re-sowing your own pure seeds!
This Post is Linked To:
The Prairie Homestead The Better Mom The Modest Mom Raising Arrows
Growing Home Far Above Rubies Time-Warp Wife
Women Living Well Deep Roots At Home A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Raising Homemakers Our Simple Farm Raising Mighty Arrows Little Natural Cottage
Our Simple Country Life
Jill…I am glad you posted this! DH and I bought heirloom seeds for our garden! Although the hybrids are “cool” in theory, we were wise enough to steer clear of them. I also bought heirloom herb seeds online! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what seeds you will have up for grabs!
Heirloom is the way to go, Jasmine! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
This is very interesting. I don’t think I realized that even the seeds could be GMO…I will definitely keep my eye out. I am planning to start a modest garden in our new backyard once we move in April. As I learn more about whole, natural foods, I’m disgusted by what I have been eating! Thanks for sharing.
I agree about being disgusted with the food we eat! I’m doing my best to make changes one step at a time. 🙂
That’s so exciting Jill! I so wish I had waited to order… just got my seeds today. I’m hoping to add to my heirloom collection each year, so maybe next year… 🙂
(I’d read that herb seeds usually weren’t tampered with genetically, but maybe that’s not true. Gonna have to check the clearanced seeds I bought.)
I wish you’d waited too, Anna! Lol – JK. 🙂 Hope your seeds do well for you!
I have tried and failed to do container gardening for the past 10 years, so we put an in ground garden this year, and my seedlings are dying:( I bought some heirloom and some hybrid, and I honestly don’t know which are which at this point. I am triing to buy heirloom plants to fill in my empty gaps from my dead seedlings. Some of us just have to work at gardening way way harder than others, LOL.
thanks for this reminder on what plants to choose.
I tend to not be the best gardener either, Shannon! lol – you’re not alone! 🙂
I love your blog! I will try to be back again soon. Come by and visit me too:) Found you from the linky. I am your newest follower.
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Jill, thank you much for sharing the differences. I pray you are well. So glad I had a moment to stop by.
Bless you, friend.
Thank you, dear Jasmine! Blessings to you.
I didn’t know this, Jill. I’ll have to choose more carefully. My favorite plant is my Cilantro. It makes me happy every time I pick a few and that bright, clean odor rises from them.