15 Fun and Unusual Heirloom Seeds

Heirloom Tomatoes: ...
Cherokee Chocolate Tomatoes. ...
Golden Jubilee. ...
Pink Brandywine. ...
Jarrahdale Pumpkins. ...
Benning's Green Tint Patty Pan Squash. ...
Lincoln English Heirloom Peas. ...
Rattlesnake Pole Beans.

What is special about heirloom seeds?
Are heirloom seeds harder to grow?
How do I get heirloom seeds for free?
Can you save non heirloom seeds?
How can you tell if a seed is heirloom?
Do heirloom seeds reproduce?
Will 20 year old seeds grow?
Do heirloom seeds go bad?
Should I plant heirloom seeds?
How do I get heirloom seeds?
Where is the best place to buy heirloom seeds?
Does Walmart sell heirloom seeds?

What is special about heirloom seeds?

Thanks to generations of open-pollination, heirloom seeds have also evolved to be more resistant to disease and pests typical in the areas where they're grown. This reduces the need for farmers to buy pesticides and prevents soil and water contamination from pesticide use and leakage.

Are heirloom seeds harder to grow?

Heirlooms evolved long before resistance to genetic disease or insects was possible. Take, for example, the Brandywine tomato, an heirloom that has probably the best flavor of any variety but can be a challenge to grow. ... Heirloom seeds are easily saved from season to season with no loss in characteristics.

How do I get heirloom seeds for free?

Find a Seed Library

Many public libraries now have seed libraries, where you can pick out free heirloom seeds to grow in your garden. They just ask that you save some of the seeds from your harvest, and return them to the seed library, so more gardeners can grow them next year.

Can you save non heirloom seeds?

For seed-saving purposes, the most significant distinction among these types is that gardeners can save true-to-type seed from open-pollinated and heirloom varieties, but not hybrids.

How can you tell if a seed is heirloom?

An heirloom plant is a type of open-pollinated plant whose seeds have been saved and passed along for generations. Most heirlooms have been grown for at least 50 years, which indicates something about how desirable the plant's traits are to survive when so many new varieties are introduced each year.

Do heirloom seeds reproduce?

Do heirloom seeds reproduce? Heirloom plants reproduce seeds that can be saved. Be aware that because of open pollination, heirlooms you intend to save seeds from should not be planted near other plants due to risk of cross-pollination.

Will 20 year old seeds grow?

There is a good chance that those old seed packets will have a high percentage of seeds that will germinate just fine. Most seeds, though not all, will keep for at least three years while maintaining a decent percentage of germination. And even a group of very old seeds may have 10 or 20 percent that still sprouts.

Do heirloom seeds go bad?

Depending on the type of seed and its quality, you may be able to store them and use them next year or the year after. In fact, some seeds, if properly stored, can be viable even after ten years.

Should I plant heirloom seeds?

First, heirlooms are generally known to produce better taste and flavor. Heirloom fruits and vegetables are also known to be more nutritious. ... Don't forget that you would also be playing an important part in preserving the genetic diversity of plants by growing heirloom seeds.

How do I get heirloom seeds?

Heirloom seeds are often available at your local nurseries. When you purchase seeds locally, you can be assured that your seeds are appropriate for your growing region. Heirloom seed companies are easily accessed online, too. When ordering online, be sure the seeds you order are compatible with your region.

Where is the best place to buy heirloom seeds?

Where to Buy Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. This is where I've ordered almost all of my seeds for over 7 years and I couldn't be happier. ...
Seed Savers Exchange. A non-profit community of folks who are dedicated to preserving seeds for the generations to come. ...
Territorial Seeds. ...
Johnny's Seeds. ...
Annie's Heirloom Seeds.

Does Walmart sell heirloom seeds?

Heirloom Homestead Seed Vault – Non-Hybrid, Non-GMO Long-Term Storage Ready – 40 Varieties 170k+ Garden Survival Seeds in Indestructible Pails - Walmart.com - Walmart.com.