Why Heirloom Seeds & Veggies Matter

By Foxys Forest Manufacture/Shutterstock

Standard seed packets are often hybrids but not necessarily and are usually not organic (organic seeds cost more) organic seeds as you know are collected from plants that have been grown organically (without artificial fertilizers and pesticides etc). Hybrid seeds are from crossing different varieties to come up with a new variety with favorable characteristics of both parents. Heirloom seeds are varieties that have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been around since before hybrid seeds gained popularity.

Some also consider seeds heirloom if they have been around for at least 25 – 50 years old but the problem with this is that nowadays, there were many hybrid seeds around 25-50 years ago but it’s a loosely defined standard. They are generally only considered heirloom if they are open pollinated though (which means they are not hybrids).

Why Heirloom Seeds & Veggies Matter