Heirloom is a word that many have heard before, but few have taken the time to look into. When I first heard of heirloom veggies, I though of odd varieties that look strange and were only grown by the most dedicated gardeners. If heirlooms were anything special, then why wasn’t every garden center pushing them like crazy? Little did I know the magic these crazy looking plants can bring to anyone’s garden and table!
So what exactly are heirloom vegetables? Well, we all know what vegetables are, so what does heirloom actually mean? According to Merriam-Webster, an heirloom is “a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.” When referring to specifically to plants, they label it as “a variety of plant that has originated under cultivation and that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals.” This means that a specific variety has been carefully preserved for years! So why all of that extra effort?
Here are a few reasons why heirloom seeds are awesome!
They taste better!
Most hybrid and GMO crops are designed to resist pests and produce more, faster. Unfortunately, these modifications do come with some downsides, such as reduced or muted flavors. Did you know that most tomatoes you buy at the supermarket are hybrid varieties that have been harvested green and ripened using gas? Once you try a fresh heirloom tomato, you’ll be amazed at how good a real tomato can taste.
You can save the seeds which saves you money!
With heirloom varieties, you can expect the same results season after season from the seeds you save. Seeds from second generation hybrid plants don’t produce predictable results, so most gardeners end up buying the same hybrid seeds year after year. With heirlooms, you can produce a never-ending supply of seed along with your favorite veggies!
They may be better adapted to local conditions!
Planting the same variety season after season has allowed the plants to become better acclimated to local climates and soil conditions over time. As the generations continue, their ability to thrive in your garden will only get better. They have also developed great disease resistance over time which organic gardeners heavily rely on.
They’re better for the environment!
We use to grow a much wider variety of plants than we do today. Now with industrial-scale farming, only a few varieties that have been chosen due to their ability to be easily harvested by machines and shipped across the country are grown. This practice drastically reduces biodiversity and can lead to massive crop failures due to disease and other disasters. Just like animal species, plants that we have grown for decades before are being forgotten and lost year after year. You can do your part to help preserve biodiversity by simply growing a few heirloom varieties in your garden!
You can grow your own piece of history!
There’s something special about sowing seeds that you know have been passed down from generation to generation over the course of many years. You too can enjoy the exact same tomato that your relatives enjoyed so many years before. Why not start an heirloom garden now that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren? Sow a seed and leave your legacy!
Has this article inspired you to start your own heirloom garden? Want to do your part for the environment and leave a legacy that will be passed down throughout the generations? Do you want to know how to grow your own food in case someday you can’t find the fresh produce you want at the store?
Check out my eLibray which is completely FREE to all of my subscribers! I’ve taken some time to reflect on my experiences gardening over the years and have written it all down in my eBooks. My goal is to see everyone getting their hands dirty and succeeding in planting their own gardens, regardless of experience or space. It’s really not as hard as you think! Subscribe today to learn everything you need to know to get growing today!
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