Imagine growing the same fruits and vegetables as Thomas Jefferson or Luther Burbank. Imagine your garden filled with bright colors, odd shapes and a variety of foods that could inspire even the most jaded vegetable-hater to take a bite. Heirloom seed produces fruits, vegetables and flowers that have been passed down for generations for their good taste, vibrant colors, pest resistance and other beneficial traits.
Today there is a trend toward locally grown and organic foods. At the same time as mega-corporations are producing genetically altered, dyed, bland foods that are often covered in pesticides, many people are starting to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Not only is home grown food likely to be safer and healthier than commercially produced fruits and vegetables, it tastes better, too!
What are heirloom plants?
Before the industrial revolution and the advent of commercial agriculture, a wide variety of plants were grown. The seeds of these plants were saved, traded with neighbors and passed down from generation to generation.
Industrialized agriculture required that plants be consistent in size, shape and color; able to withstand mechanical picking and shipping; have the ability to tolerate drought and garden chemicals; and ripen at the same time to ease in selling. Using seeds that consistently met these requirements narrowed the range of plants grown. Industrialized agriculture uses just a few types of seeds, which is why there is a limited variety of fruits and vegetables found in the grocery store when there are many, many more varieties that could be grown.
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All heirloom seeds offered by Planet Natural are non-treated and non-GMO.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
Planet Natural offers heirloom garden seeds that are non-treated, non-GMO and NOT purchased from Monsanto-owned Seminis. Planting instructions are included with each packet and shipping is FREE! Need advice? Visit our vegetable guides for tips and information on growing specific types.
There is no agreed upon definition for what makes a plant an heirloom, but generally, if it was grown before 1951, was passed down from generation to generation, breeds true (is not a hybrid) and is not grown commercially — it’s probably an heirloom.
For more on what makes an heirloom an heirloom, click here.
Heirloom vs. hybrid
Around 1951, hybrid plants hit the market. A hybrid is a genetic combination of two plants — each chosen for a specific trait. For example, a tomato with good color might be bred with a tomato that tastes good. The seeds of this hybrid will not produce the same plant as it came from. You might get a good colored-bland tasting tomato or a pale-colored yummy tomato, or something else entirely.
Heirloom garden seeds are open-pollinated. Basically, wind, insects and nature does the pollinating and the seeds from these plants will produce plants that are like their parent plants. They are said to “breed true.”
Why heirlooms
There are many reasons to grow heirloom plants. Some gardeners have an interest in history and want to recreate gardens of the past. Others enjoy the variety of taste and textures that heirloom plants provide. Maintaining the gene pool of fruits, vegetables and flowers is motivation for others. For some, traditional, organic gardens are important — and some people just think it’s fun.
Growing and saving seed lends a sense of history and cultural heritage to gardening. When you grow heirloom plants and save the seeds, you participate in saving many varieties from extinction and preserving plants with special genetic traits. Additionally, you can pass on the rich history that many plants are part of. Gardeners can use heirloom seeds to recreate sections of the gardens at Jefferson’s Monticello or grow the same vegetables raised in World War II victory gardens. You can even grow the same crops planted by homesteaders and sod busters long, long ago.
Today there is a lot of concern about the safety of our food supply. Even organically (and commercially) grown food has made people sick. Growing heirloom vegetable seeds ensures you know where your food came from and that it is not genetically modified or coated in chemicals (if you grow organically). You’ll also be self-reliant. As heirloom seeds were passed down through the generations they adapted to specific climates, insects and diseases, so they require less garden care to flourish.
How to find heirlooms
There are many online resources for finding heirloom seeds, and ordering a few provocative seed packets can make any gardener’s heart race.
After growing a few heirloom varieties and deciding which ones you like the best, save the seeds to grow again next year. Seed exchanges are popping up all over the country and provide a great resource for trading seeds and trying out different heirloom plants.
Getting started
There are so many heirloom seed varieties available that it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few flowers, herbs and vegetables that are easy to grow. Once you get initiated into the fun, colorful world of heirlooms, you’ll want to try others.
Flowers
Bells of Ireland were originally grown in the Mediterranean and are easy to grow just about anywhere. The tall (18-36′) green spikes add texture and interest to the garden or the vase.
English Lavender is almost a required plant for heirloom gardeners. Its aroma is amazing and the gray-green foliage dresses up the flowerbed.
Herbs
Purple Dark Opal Basil looks stunning in a salad or as a garnish, and the dark red stems and lilac flowers decorate the garden. It tastes delicious, too.
Grandma Einck’s Dill has been grown near Festina, Iowa since 1920 by the Einck family. This fragrant flower adds a punch to most meals.
Vegetables
Cylindra Beets look more like carrots than beets, but their funky shape belies the beety taste. Because they grow down, rather than out, they are perfect for those without a lot of space.
Five Color Silverbeet Swiss Chard is a rainbow in the garden. Packed full of nutrients and calcium, this Swiss chard keeps you healthy, too.
Fruits
Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry harkens back to 1837 Pennsylvania. These little cherries make delicious jams and pies. They are tasty fresh, too, and the plant is quite prolific.
Sudduth’s Strain Brandywine Tomato was obtained by Ben Quisenberry in 1980 from Dorris Sudduth Hill whose family grew them for 80 years. These intensely flavored fruits can get up to 2 pounds.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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Heirloom Flowers
Our flower selection — from asters to zinnias — will brighten any landscape.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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It’s all about germination! Find pots, heat mats, trays, starter mixes and more here.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
Heirloom Vegetables
There’s few things more rewarding than growing your own organic vegetables.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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Grow like a pro with the right container! We carry affordable pots, trays, flats and more!
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
Heirloom Herbs
Flavorful and exotic, these varieties have passed through kitchens for generations.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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6 Responses to “Why Heirloom Garden Seed?”
Eric,
Great article! I was wondering if you knew anywhere I could get heirloom seeds for Central California? I know that not all the different heirloom plants will be well adapted for the heat that we get in the summers. Any help would be appreciated.
Nathan
Nathan,
For suggestions on local, heat-tolerant varieties, I recommend contacting Baker Creek Seeds. Based out of Mansfield, Missouri, they are a trusted source for pure heirloom seeds and have a seed bank just north of you in Petaluma, California. The Seed Bank can be reached at 707-773-1336.
Eric your article sure makes me wish for Spring (cabin fever). Could you recommend a place for heirloom seeds for Anchorage Alaska. Unlike Nathan we have cooler and shorter summers. The extra daylight sure helps as does starting seedlings indoors. Thank you.
Having just moved from and gardened in Fairbanks for 30 years, it was not the seed source as much as the variety. Johnny’s, Territorial are just two of many sources for heirloom seeds. Look to your growing methods as well, i.e.- low tunnel season extenders and row covers. Anchorage is a mild enough growing environment that many, many crops will grow there successfully.
Roxann,
I’m not aware of anybody offering heirloom seeds in Alaska, although I’m sure somebody is. The heirlooms we offer at http://www.planetnatural.com are provided by two trusted sources; Seed Savers and Baker Creek. Best of all, shipping is free for heirloom seeds.
When selecting seed, you’ll want to look for vegetables with the shortest “days-to-maturity” numbers for your garden. Leafy greens and root vegetables — carrots, turnips, parsnips, radishes and beets — are the best choices for short-season gardens. Beets and turnips are also a good source for tasty, early season greens. Though susceptible to frost damage, potatoes are a good, if well mulched and covered during early, over-night freezes. Spinach, leaf lettuce, arugula, chicory, chard, most varieties of Asian greens (pak choi) and mustards (Osaka) can be sown right in the garden. Vegetables that require a growth stage before producing seeds and fruits (tomatoes, squash, peppers, green beans) require more time and therefore are more risky. Most of these vegetables can be given a jump by starting them indoors and transplanting in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Hope this helps and I apologize in advance if I’ve told you what you already may know concerning short-season vegetable gardening.
It is still astounding to me that in this country there are two food growing/importing systems- healthy (organic, heirloom, non-GMO) and unhealthy (corporate, non-organic, imported). Just as astounding is the blase attitude with most people, including our news media, treat this disparity as “normal” and accepted.