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A movement to only grow heirloom seeds and eat heirloom food is spreading across the world. Curious as to what is a heirloom seed? Read on to find out!
Heirloom seeds are free of genetic modifications.
- No genetic manipulation. Heirloom seeds do not have any foreign genes. Most produce found in the grocery store today is hybrid and genetically modified. Genetically modified (GM) food has had genes inserted from other organisms. Hybrid seeds have been drastically inbred. This genetic manipulation is so that the plants take on new characteristics (tolerance to toxic chemicals, longer shelf life, uniform appearance, etc).
- Non-hybrid (open-pollinated). Heirloom seeds are referred to as being open-pollinated, a term meaning that the cultivars produce seeds that grow into plants that look like their parents. These non-hybrid plants are genetically diverse as they are not inbred. Biodiversity is important for the adaptation to various climates and conditions and ensures the survival of all species.
Heirloom seeds are savable and storable.
Because heirloom seeds are non-hybrid they are also unpatented, meaning no corporation owns the technology behind the seed. Non-hybrid seeds can be saved, stored, sold, shared, and replanted freely. It is illegal to save, replant, or sell any hybrid seed because seed companies hold patents over them.
Heirloom seeds are marked by their age.
Non-hybrid seeds are only considered heirloom if introduced before the 1920’s when hybrid crops were first engineered and grown. Many heirloom seeds are much older and can be traced back thousands of years. Growing the same seeds as ancient ancestors attracts many gardeners to heirlooms.
Heirloom seeds produce higher quality food.
Heirloom seeds are known to produce food that is not only better for you than hybrid crops, but tastes better too! This is a result of genetic diversity and ripening on the vine before harvest in place of being picked early and later chemically ripened as are hybrids.
Heirloom seeds have adaptability.
Because heirloom seeds have a broad genetic base their adaptability to various growing conditions is ensured. Through natural gene mutation heirloom plants adapt to certain soils, climates, environmental changes, and local pests and diseases.
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