Plantings, Why Heirloom Seeds

Between yesterday and today, I have started just over 400 seedlings, all peppers and tomatoes and all heirloom seeds.  During the next month or so, I will be starting another 600 - 700 plants, herbs, lettuces, melons and flowers, most of them will also be grown from heirloom seeds.  Some of them will be growing and producing in my various gardens or greenhouse, some will be for sale starting in early May, but almost every plant will have a little piece of history to go along with the pot and the dirt!

So, what is the thing with Heirloom Seeds?  For the past 60 or so years, multinational corporations have been gaining control of availability and distribution of seeds.  Modern seed production inbreeds plant varieties and modifies plant genetics among other things which result in sterilised seeds which means varieties of plant species are no longer available and there is no point to collecting seeds - they won't grow.  Since the 1970's growers all over the world have concerned themselves with the preservation and conservation of plant biodiversity - collecting and saving seeds native and bred specifically for their habitat.  For instance, many tomato hybrids were bred in the early 20th century specifically for Canada's short growing season or to enable a hybrid to be better able to deal with a colder climate - Money Maker and Mortgage Breaker are only two.  There are many plant seeds that were brought over with European Settlers, the seeds carefully harvested every year, these are treasures.  Today, the Heirloom Seed or Heritage Seed movement is very strong and every year more plants thought to be lost are rediscovered.  So, when you see the signs for the annual Seedy Saturday at your local Church or Rec Centre - go, buy a couple of packets of history, go home and grow them, save the seeds and grow some more and don't forget to pass some on.  Grow some fresh food, herbs and flowers of your own.

Check out these web sites
Seeds of Diversity - www.seeds.ca
Seed Sanctuary - ww.seedsanctuary.com
Where I buy my seeds, grown in my local - google your own site "heritage seeds, your area"
Cottage Gardener:  www.cottagegardener.com
Richters Herbs