Heirloom and Heritage Seeds: What They Are and Why Grow Them

What are heritage seeds? If this is your first time hearing about them, you’re in for a treasure trove of fascinating information. And if you’ve heard the term before, there might still be some confusion or myths floating around that need clearing up. This blog is here to set the record straight and clear out all the hearsay about heritage gardens.

But before we dive in, let’s cover the basics. Heritage seeds are a special subset of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds that carry strong cultural or regional significance, often tied to traditional agricultural practices and the preservation of our agricultural heritage. All heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, which means they’re naturally pollinated by wind, insects, or other natural means, allowing them to produce plants true to their parent traits when seeds are saved and replanted. However, not all open-pollinated seeds qualify as heirlooms, some are newer varieties that also rely on natural pollination but don’t have the long history that defines heirloom seeds.

Heritage gardens, full of heirloom plants and open-pollinated seeds, play a crucial role in preserving agricultural heritage and biodiversity. Yet, many myths surround them. 

Let’s uncover the truth behind 14 of the most common myths about heritage gardens and heirloom varieties!

Myth 1: Heirloom seeds are outdated and useless compared to modern hybrid seeds.

Truth: Heirloom seeds have stood the test of time, with unique traits and genetic diversity crucial for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Myth 2: Hybrid plants always produce higher yields than heirloom varieties.

Truth: While some modern hybrids offer high yields, many heirloom plants thrive in local conditions and have intense and distinct flavors as well as disease resistance without heavy chemical inputs.

Myth 3: Heirloom tomatoes and vegetables don’t have good shelf life compared to grocery store varieties.

Truth: While heritage crops have vibrant colors, intense flavors, and higher nutritional value, their shelf life is shorter.

Myth 4: Saving seeds from heirloom plants is complicated and unreliable.

Truth: Seed saving is not complicated, but it is a layered process. It is a natural practice that has been passed down for generations by indigenous communities, home gardeners, and seed savers exchange programs to preserve agricultural practices and food security. In a way, it is a noble task that one sets for themselves!

Myth 5: Heirloom plants are more susceptible to disease and pests than GMO or hybrid plants.

Truth: Heirloom varieties grown in their native regions have natural disease resistance developed through natural selection and adaptation to those specific areas.

Myth 6: Heritage seeds cannot cope with environmental changes or climate change.

Truth: Actually, the genetic diversity found in heirloom seeds helps plants adapt better to shifting climates and environmental challenges.

Myth 7: Growing heirloom varieties is only for large gardens or farms.

Truth: Heritage gardens thrive in small-scale gardens supporting sustainable living and organic farming.

Myth 8: Modern hybrid varieties are always better for food supply and security.

Truth: Heritage varieties help keep our food safe by saving different kinds of plants and farm life that modern farming often ignores.

Myth 9: Heirloom seeds come only from old seeds stored in seed banks like Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

Truth: While seed banks help preserve rare plants and heritage grains, heirloom seeds are actively grown and saved by generations of gardeners and seed companies dedicated to their preservation.

Myth 10: Heritage gardens lack uniform appearance and quality.

Truth: Open-pollinated plants have unique characteristics and vibrant colors, offering diverse and beautiful crops that reflect agricultural heritage rather than uniformity.

Myth 11: Heirloom plants require more chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Truth: Especially when grown in their true region, heirloom plants thrive with good care and healthy, organic-rich soil, meaning they usually need fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Myth 12: Heirloom vegetables don’t have a place in modern agriculture or organic farming.

Truth: Heritage varieties hold ancient wisdom and cultural significance, providing valuable heirloom ingredients for organic farming and sustainable agriculture.

Myth 13: Seed savers exchange is only for experts or indigenous communities.

Truth: This program is for anyone with a passion for sustainable living and gardening.

Myth 14: Heirloom plants are not suited for the next growing season or future generations.

Truth: Thanks to natural selection and seed saving, heirloom plants can be passed down through many generations—from your great grandmother’s garden to yours—keeping vibrant, healthy crops alive for the future.

Myth 15: Heirloom seeds are just for tomatoes.

Truth: Heirloom seeds include a wide range of plants from vegetables like beans, peppers, squash, corn, lettuce, and even flowers.

Myth 16: Heirloom seeds are always expensive and hard to find.

Truth: This is tricky. While it is true that some rare or highly sought-after heirloom seeds cost more because they need extra care, have lower yields, and require farmers to spend more time growing and handling them carefully, many heirloom seeds are affordable and widely available.

Myth 17: The only way to get heirloom varieties is by buying them.

Truth: Heirloom seeds are available through seed companies, saving seeds, community seed swaps, and online stores.

Myth 18: Heirloom seeds are not organic.

Truth: The term “heirloom” refers to the seed’s history and pollination method, not the farming practices used to grow it. Many heirloom seeds come from organic farms or gardeners committed to natural growing methods without synthetic chemicals. But for certainty, look for certification or trusted organic seed suppliers.

Myth 19: Saving seeds from heirloom plants is unreliable and you can’t get consistent results year after year.

Truth: Proper seed saving techniques, such as avoiding cross-pollination and correctly drying and storing seeds, ensure seeds can be saved year after year with consistent results.

Final Thoughts

Heritage gardens are more than just nostalgia, they are living legacies vital for biodiversity, sustainability, and food security. However, they are not for the faint-hearted! Heirloom varieties require attention to detail, constant monitoring, and dedicated care to thrive. If this feels like your calling, you can learn how to become a hero in preserving nature’s precious heirlooms!