Heirloom: (noun) A valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.

Ref: Oxford English Dictionary

An heirloom vegetable seed is exactly as the above definition states. A valuable seed, in this case which has been passed down from generation to generation.  It is always Open -pollinated and therefore non-hybrid, that means that nature takes care of propagation and the process is not tampered with by humans.  Time is the determining factor on whether a variety is an heirloom or not.  Some schools of thought say that the heirloom variety of seed has to be more than 100 years old, others say 50 years old, and then there are those that say varieties from before 1945.  There may be differing opinions on the time lines, however all agree that heirlooms are imperative to our food security. 

 These heirloom variety cultivars have been around in some cases for many generations, and have often been grown in the vegetable patches of families, who have single handedly maintained a specific cultivar’s survival. Seeds have travelled across the globe in hems of skirts and linings of jackets, by immigrants who wanted to bring a little of their history to their new country, enabling them to pick the same tomatoes and other familiar vegetables, that they had eaten all their lives, reminding them of “home”.

Heirloom cultivars have managed to survive through the ages, by developing their own resistance to diseases and pests, adapting to changing climates, soil types and conditions and producing well, with unbelievable flavour.  Unfortunately, due to mass commercial farming, and the need for hybrid or GM (Genetically modified) seed, we run the risk of loosing many cultivars and many of them becoming extinct. 

 Hybridised seed, is produced by deliberately crossing different parent varieties. This results in the offspring being a product of either one of the parents or in some cases the seed being sterile. Commercial farmers, however, seek to perfect the expected production of their crop and want to ensure that there is uniformity in their appearance, that they ripen simultaneously so harvesting can be done at once which is cost effective, and that the correct breeding of the hybridization allows greater resilience to pests and diseases. This results in there being no seeds to be harvested from these crops for replanting and the farmer is then forced to purchase again from these powerful suppliers, more hybrid seeds, which maintains the status quo of the necessity of the hybrid seed production.  Open pollinated varieties, on the other hand, are true to type which is that the plants are exactly like their parents, provided that they have not crossed with similar varieties grown nearby. The product of this is that they are much more flavorsome, their are many unusual varieties which provide our tables with variability in both attractiveness and nutritional value, and the most important is that the seeds can be harvested for the next season’s planting. 

The home gardener is a valuable source of protection of our `heirloom varieties as they deeply appreciate the value of good nutrition, especially if they are aware of growing their food using organic principles, enabling them to give their families unsurpassed nutritious, fresh, tasty and varied food. Should the organic methods be utilized there is the invaluable contribution to the reduction of soil erosion and all types of environmental damage viz pesticides and insecticides in our  air,  water and unnecessarily causing the death of essential insects. These insects are bees, butterflies, moths, earthworms and also frogs and even birds. Further, the kitchen gardener is also able to stagger the harvesting of their produce, to bottle, pickle, freeze and fresh cook as and when they choose.  There is great joy and unsurpassed reward in planting a small seed and watching it produce a whole bush of beans, tomatoes, etc and can provide hours of recreation for adults and children alike. There are many advantages to growing your own vegetables, not the least of which is the abovementioned,  there is also the holistic luxury of relaxing in your garden while tending your plants, being physically active and mentally at ease.

The small scale farmers are able to harvest their crops and bring to market and their local communities and families, fresh valuable produce. The biggest advantage, however, to these farmers, is that they are able to collect their Heirloom seeds and conserve the seeds to be used in the next seasons and ensuing seasons crop. To the less advantaged farming population, the savings realized from this is almost incalculable.

Here follows pictures of some wonderful and unusual vegetables. In some of these cases these Heirloom varieties span centuries. Heirloom seeds provide genetic variability , ensuring our food security, and prevent genetic bottlenecking, which is caused by genetically modifying species.

Kind regards,

Linda Galvad

Sought After Seedlings

Growing your future!
Sought After Seedlings

www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za

linda@soughtafterseedlings.co.za

082 365 0050

Much appreciated!