Why Grow Heirloom Seeds: A Guide for New Gardeners!
- Rebecca Newbold
- Jan 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Imagine: you’re ready to start your garden, you go to the garden center in your local box store and you see the seed rack: “Non-GMO,” “organic,” or no label at all… what does it all mean, and which is best?
Let’s start with the basics.
What Will I Normally Find At The Store?
Many growers and consumers try to stray away from genetically modified produce and seeds. However, it’s important to note that genetically modified (GMO) seeds are generally reserved for commercial growers, meaning that the seeds you find at the store are most likely non-GMO (this is often seen on the label to draw in well-meaning buyers that perhaps don't have all the information - we've been there!). Genetic modification simply means that the seeds are genetically engineered to produce more “favorable” traits (1). These traits can include disease resistance, higher crop yield, etc.
While most seeds you find at the store are non-GMO, this doesn’t mean that they are not bred for specific purposes. In fact, most seeds you find at the store are known as “hybrid” or “first generation” seeds, meaning the seeds are created through cross-pollination to produce a specific offspring (2). Simply put, the seeds you buy at the store are still bred to produce favorable traits, just without the use of genetic engineering.
What are Hybrid Seeds
Most seeds you get at the store are hybrid, or first generation (F1), seeds - even when they have a “non-GMO” or “organic” label. Hybrid seeds are made through the cross-pollination of 2 plant varieties, making these seeds the "first generation" of their specific strain. These seeds can help gardeners due to their favorable traits such as disease resistance and increased crop yields. However, there are a few problems with hybrid seeds.
The Problem With Hybrids
1: Hybrid seeds take away from biodiversity. Consumers tend to want a specific type of crop, with a uniform look and expected flavors, and seed companies tailor their crops to match expectations. So, despite advancements in technology and transportation, it is estimated that most humans survive on less than 1% of the plant species available to us (3).
2: Seeds from hybrid plants are generally not suitable for collection and reuse. Hybrid seeds are first-generation, allowing for relatively uniform crops. However, seeds collected from these plants typically do not produce the same crop consistently year after year because they are genetically unstable. To obtain the desired traits in their plants, gardeners usually need to purchase new seeds each year (4). (PS: This is also why it is so difficult to grow plants from seeds you collect from store-bought produce.)
What Are Heirloom Seeds
You’ve likely heard of “heirloom tomatoes” and imagine the huge, juicy beefsteaks at the store, but heirloom plants are so much more than that.
Heirloom seeds are seeds that have been passed down through the generations, whose offspring are true to their parent plants – meaning seeds saved from heirloom plants will produce a virtually identical crop (5). Seeds are open-pollinated, meaning that the plants are not cross-pollinated like those of hybrid plants that you’re likely to buy at the garden center.
Why does this matter?
Why We Prefer Heirloom Seeds
1: Heirloom seeds protect biodiversity. Heirloom seeds offer a wide variety of options not typically grown, and not typically found in grocery stores, while still offering natural disease resistance and environmental tolerance. If seeing seeds for kale that grows 20 feet high, black garbanzo beans, or beautiful orange beefsteak tomatoes sounds exciting to you, heirloom seeds can provide these unique varieties. If the idea of growing these plants gives you anxiety, though, you are not alone. Gardeners around the country (and much of the world) have grown accustomed to growing very few varieties (3). However, the increased diversity that heirloom seeds offer is better for soil health and regeneration, allowing for more sustainable growing.
2: Heirloom seeds allow for generational growth. Heirlooms seeds produce true offspring, meaning their seeds can be saved and used again and again. This means no more buying seeds from the store but instead preserving the time-honored tradition of seed cultivation. Simply put, heirloom seeds allow you to be more self-sufficient.
3: Heirloom seeds lead to food security. Sustainable growing + self-sufficiency = food security… for you, your family, and your community.
(PS: If all of this was not enough reason to use heirloom seeds, heirloom produce tends to be tastier and richer in flavor!)
Where to get heirloom seeds
If you’re ready to get started on your heirloom gardening adventure, there are a few options available to you.
1: Join our next seed bank season. <- Link. Through Growing Appalachia’s seed bank program, you will receive a few heirloom varieties to start your gardening adventure. Perfect for beginners and seasoned growers alike, you will receive free seeds, growing instructions, and the ability to contact us with any questions throughout the growing season. All you have to do is commit to doing your best to try to save seeds to return back to Growing Appalachia to pass out the following year.
2: If you’re ready for more seeds, our favorite heirloom seed stores are: Seed Savers Exchange, Survival Garden Seeds, and Baker Creek Rare Seeds.
Want a printable resource? Download our heirloom seeds quick guide:
Sources:
A note about the sources for this article: it was a bit difficult to find reliable sources on the internet about heirloom seeds because there isn't a big industry funding it. This is why some of the sources shown are blog posts. I wanted to provide easy-to-access additional information, but I'd definitely recommend looking into books about heirloom seeds or checking Youtube if you want to learn more.
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