by Mike Walters

Created on: July 26, 2010

Many people see the word “heirloom” and automatically assume that this means that a particular type of seed will be more complicated to plant and cultivate. This is a common misconception; heirloom fruits and vegetables are not more complicated to grow than their hybridized counterparts. Heirlooms are quite different from hybrids, and are highly valued by gardeners. Here are the top 4 reasons that heirloom fruit and vegetable seeds are a better choice for your garden:

(1) Heirlooms have nutritional integrity. Oftentimes, the nutritional value of produce has been compromised for hybridization. For example, over time peach hybrids are created to resist bruising and ripen quickly. While these qualities are terrific for making peaches look lovely on grocery store shelves and for mass marketing, they certainly do not do anything to enhance the nutritional quality of the peach. In fact, it is much more likely that they are nutrient deficient because of over-hybridization. This can even be true of organic produce, because organic produce is still usually grown from hybrid seeds. If you want full nutritional value, you must grow your produce from non-hybrid seeds.

(2) The security of the world’s food supply depends on heirlooms. Seed hybridization has gotten a bit out of control. Seed company giants, such as Monsanto, create seed hybrids, patent them, and force farmers and agricultural companies to pay whatever amount they deem necessary for these seeds. Since you cannot collect seeds from hybrid plants, these farmers are forced to buy seeds again every single year. In some cases, it is patent infringement for the farmers to even attempt to collect seeds to plant the next year, rather than purchasing them from the seed company. The farmers are then incapable of establishing a self sustaining business. The only thing that is capable of breaking this chain or corporate reliance (which could eventually lead to a seed monopoly) is heirloom seeds.

(3) Heirloom seeds go hand in hand with economic security and independence. In the past few years, America has seen an enormous resurgence in home gardening. It has not been as popular since WWII, when citizens were faced with food rations, shortages, and the need to provide their own food as a result. This is when the term Victory Garden emerged. The Obama family has brought back the Victory Garden. People all over the country are realizing that heirloom seeds are the ticket to owning a renewable food plot. Heirloom gardens are self-sustaining.

(4) You will have a valuable commodity in the face of economic downturn. When economic crisis occurs, hyperinflation is the result, and money loses its face value. When money loses its value, goods become more valuable, and become the true “currency.” (This has happened many time throughout history all over the world.) Vegetable garden seeds, being the most reliable, renewable, and self-sustainable food source, become one of the most valuable goods available.

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