Buying Heirloom Seeds
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Why is it important to buy heirloom seeds? Heirlooms help protect genetic diversity in crops. The more diverse varieties that you plant, the less likely they will all be wiped out by a single blight or bug or disaster, like the great potato famine. As grocery stores and corporate farming have slowly narrowed down the public’s concept of any particular plant, we’ve lost history, flavor and beauty. Heirloom varieties are often beautiful and seem unique - think purple varigated carrots - and may be more resistant to your local pests. I ordered seeds this year from D. Landreth, the oldest seed company in the United States, located right here in Pennsylvania. I’m so excited for my breakfast radishes, chiogga beets, garlic chives, fairytale eggplant, giant california scarlet king zinnias, and and mexican sour ghercins, among others. Many seed companies, D. Landreth included, let you purchase individual seed packets or collects - like their neat patio plant collection of miniature vegetables that grow well in containers.
Get a group of friends together, place a big order, and get excited for your seeds to arrive!
