5 Reasons to Use Heirloom Organic Seeds

Thinking about starting a organic garden this spring – then you need to read this?! When you are shopping for the right vegetables or flowers do you get confused on what types of seeds or plants to buy? Have you ever noticed that there are two main types?  One is modern hybrids and the other is heirloom varieties?  And yes it can be quite confusing at times! Let me explain a few facts that might help you make the right choices. If you are concerned about your health and your family’s health than I suggest you use heirloom seeds. In fact I have five great facts and reasons why you should use heirloom seeds for optimal health and for the best garden with abundant produce throughout out the whole season.  Read on to learn why you should not use hybrid seeds!

What is the different?

• Hybrids are created by crossing two selected varieties usually resulting in strong plants that will yield more than heirlooms, but are not always the most nutritious or flavorful.
• Heirlooms vegetables are one time varieties that are open-pollinated, and have been handed down from one generation to that next with a history of success.

5 Facts & Reasons To You Should Be Growing Organic Heirlooms Produce:

1. The Best Flavor Forever: When we talk about food for our families Flavor is a must!  According to George DeVault, former executive director of Seed Savers Exchange at SeedSavers.org “A lot of the breeding programs for modern hybrids have sacrificed taste and nutrition.”

Seed Savers is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom and other rare seeds. Hybrids are sometimes cross-bred to be picked green and gas-ripened for commercial growing and to be shipped across the country. One good example of this is the Florida tomato that many times has very little flavor and not worth spending your hard-earned money on. Heirloom seeds are many times centuries old and shipability was not a consideration but flavor is.

2. Heirlooms and their Nutritional value: Some of the newer varieties of commercial seeds and breeders push for higher yields and many times seeds have been breed for disease and pest resistance, look, and convenience, but lose much in nutritional value.  Recent research has shown that in many cases that hybrid produce has lost much of its nutritional value and according to the NY Times we are breeding the nutritional value out of our food.

3. Heirlooms ripen gradually:  Commercial producers of produce use hybrids because one vegetable ripens  at the same time which is convenient, saves them time and makes transportability so much easier.  Heirlooms seeds usually give you a continuing supply of fresh produce and longer growing seasons.

4. Heirlooms are open-pollinated:  I you are using non-hybrid seed (heirloom) varieties you are growing original strains with much higher nutritional content that have generations of true to type – meaning that they are exactly like their parent plants. Heirlooms seeds can be saved from year to year with the same great results while hybrids seeds might be like the parent plant or they might turn out very different.

5. Saves You Money:  In a time when our country is in financial crisis using heirlooms seeds from your own produce makes a lot of sense. It can save you money this year and for many years to come. The best ways to reduce your cost of living is growing your own food.  Organic heirlooms seeds can be saved from year to year with the same great results and nutrition and in their natural form the way Nature meant it to be.

One great source to purchase organic heirloom seeds and supplies — check out marysheirloomseeds.

Check this utube out for great information to help you start your own organic garden!

Home gardening has made a big come back! Many people no longer trust the foods they buy in their local grocery stores because of the nutritional value, the contamination of pesticides and herbicides, and the genetically modified foods that have been linked to so many health concerns. Growing your own is a great choice financially and for your health. If you are interested in starting your own garden check out a beginner’s guide @ www.sparkpeople.com or yardandgardenguru.com/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners/,  www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/planning-your-first-vegetable-garden/ or http://gardeningjourney.com/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners/

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About the author

Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!