ARE HEIRLOOM SEEDS IMPORTANT?

Photo: UNC Chapel Hill

The seed catalogs seem to get thicker every year.  Is it due to new bigger, better, more fragrant (or not) varieties being marketed for the first time?  Or, have seed companies found more sources for the heirloom varieties of vegetables?  You know the answer.

In doing research on northwest garden seed sources, I found a fact sheet compiled by the National Seed Storage Laboratory charting the decline of heirloom vegetable from 1903 to 1983.  I searched for a more recent study but did not find one in the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation website.  The name change occurred in 2001.  I suspect the statistics are even more sobering now.

The definition of heirloom seeds is seeds that have been grown for at least 50 years.  In the true sense of the word, heirloom, it would be seeds nurtured, saved and passed down to family members. 

Photo: Univ. Arizona Coop. Extension

Some seeds have a history of reaching back 300 years. One qualifying standard I read was that 1951 is the latest year a plant could have been originated and still be called an heirloom.

The #1 reason gardeners cite for choosing heirloom varieties is the exceptional taste and higher nutritional value.  Another benefit of saving heirloom seeds is that the seeds will be acclimated to local weather conditions. The following statistics are food for thought.  

The first number reflects the number of heirloom varieties offered by commercial seed houses in 1903. The second number reflects the varieties found in the National Seed Storage Laboratory in 1983.

Vegetable                1903               1983 

Photo: UW Madison

Cabbage:          544 varieties   28 varieties

Lettuce:            497 varieties   36 varieties

Radish:            463 varieties    27 varieties

Pea:                 408 varieties    25 varieties

Tomato:           408 varieties   79 varieties

Squash:           341 varieties    40 varieties

Muskmelon:   338 varieties    27 varieties

Sweet Corn:   307 varieties    12 varieties

Beet:              288 varieties     17 varieties

Cucumber:     285 varieties    16 varieties

It is encouraging to read articles and talk with other gardeners who are learning the benefits of growing heirlooms and plan to make seed selections accordingly. Check out seed sources in the northwest!

Photo: UNC Chapel Hill

Course, one thing always leads to another which in this case would be to brush up on the techniques of seed saving and be ready at harvest time.

I made a commitment to myself that 2023 was going to be the year I reduced the seed catalogs being sent to me.  I don't need 3 or 4 copies of the same catalog starting in Nov.  I contact the company stating my commitment to reduce the paper consumption.  I thank them for providing 'eye-candy' over the years and assure them they will be followed via their on-line catalog.  I have sent out 4 requests recently, received 2 e-mails answered on a personal level, not just a 'removed' note so it does work.