It seems like planting seeds has gotten complicated recently
Should you only plant organic seeds? Arent’ all seeds organic? What about heirlooms? Are hybrids bad? Or good? Let’s try to define some of these terms, although, even that can be complicated.
Organic Seeds- Seeds are living things, so in that sense yes, they are all organic.
But in this case the term “organic” defines how they were produced. The USDA defines organic seeds this way: USDA organic seeds are seeds that are grown without the aid of synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. Pretty simple.
Heirloom Seeds- Here things get a little fuzzier.
One school of thought uses the age of that particular species. So some say the variety has to have been grown for the last 100 years to be considered an heirloom; others say 50 years. Still another camp uses 1945 as the defining date, since the end of WWII is when hybrids started being widely grown and sold.
Another school of thought defines heirloom the same way you’d describe a piece of jewelry or furniture- a treasured cultivar that has been grown by a family and handed down from one generation of gardeners to the next many times.
Oftentimes, the value of an heirloom is that over time it has adapted to its local environment, developing resistance to pests, and thriving in the weather extremes of that particular climate.
The one common definition of an heirloom seed is that it must be open pollinated, and reliably reproduce itself from seed year after year, maintaining its same characteristics. Seeds from an heirloom plant can be saved and planted the following year, and counted on to grow and produce as in the previous years.
Hybrids
Hybrids are developed by combining specific characteristics of multiple varieties to produce a plant that meets certain qualifications. It may bred to be disease resistant, produce bigger yields, fruits of uniform size, or long-lasting fruits.
Hybrid varieties cannot be planted from last year’s seed. The seed may not sprout at all, and if it does, it probably will not give you the same plant you originally grew. It may not produce flowers or fruit, or look anything like its parent. That’s why hybrid seeds have to be purchased every year.
What’s the advantage? Reliability for one. If you want a tomato resistant to a certain disease, buy that variety. Looking for big tomatoes, hard to bruise berries, or early crops? There are hybrids developed to address all of those concerns- for one season. Next year, if you were happy with the result, you’ll buy the same seed again.
Browse our BIG seed collection
So that’s the scoop. There is a seed for every style of gardener, and a seed that will meet almost any demand. (I have not found a plant that will weed it’s own flowerbed, YET). So don’t get bogged down. Try something new, try something you already love, and every year you’ll learn a little more.
What are you planting new this year? Share with us here…..
