Comments on: Don’t Let Your Seeds Grow up to be Hybrids

By: October is Non-GMO Month and Time for New Labeling Laws — Veggie Gardening Tips

October is Non-GMO Month and Time for New Labeling Laws — Veggie Gardening Tips — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:23:34 +0000

[...] from New York to Washington, D.C. that is taking place right now. I’ve shared my feelings on hybrid and genetically modified seeds in the past and have always been an advocate of heirloom seeds and open pollinated [...]

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:42:59 +0000

You said it Brother

By: Kayla

Kayla — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:56:32 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments on heirlooms. They look so inviting, I will try to find ones that do well in warmer climes.

By: Kenny Point

Kenny Point — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:56:06 +0000

That’s an interesting point Kayla and one that I believe is actually yet another advantage of heirloom and open pollinated plants that the other commenters have touched on. A little research can uncover heirloom varieties that have a history and reputation of growing well in specific climates or regions of the country. Even hybrids are going to have some conditions or cultivation methods under which they grow the best, and others where they may struggle. And as Kookster mentioned, you can grow out and save seed from open pollinated varieties to create strains that are uniquely adapted to the conditions found right in your own back yard, something that you can’t do as easily with hybrids.

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:54:59 +0000

Kala, you’re right about some heirlooms needing cool nites…but not all of them. Homestead, Marmande, Rutgers, and Marglobe have done well for me in Georgia. When you read blogs from various folks on how well their heirlooms did, try to determine where they are blogging from. That could give you an idea if that variety will do well in Kansas. I think the secret in hot climes is to get them in early before the heat of summer postpones the pollination. Even yet, all varieties seem to take a beating here in Georgia in mid summer.

By: Kayla

Kayla — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:25:30 +0000

One caution possibly about heirlooms. I called and talked to the horticulturist at “Totally Tomatoes” catalog co. and asked why heirlooms perform poorly for me. He asked how warm are the nights here in Kansas. I replied that they often stay in the 80′s and 90′s in summer. He said the heirlooms usually need cool nights to set blossoms so he recommended some of the sunbelt types of plants which did perform well. Find heirlooms that perform well in your planting zone.

By: kookster

kookster — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:39:16 +0000

Such great points kenny!

some plants seem to get more acclimated to the microclimate after they’ve been grown in it year after year. If you can’t save seed you can’t take advantage of that. Go heirlooms!

By: Ken Rice

Ken Rice — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:45:00 +0000

I’ve been gardening for 45 years and have seen the price of a packet of seed go from 10 cents for an ounce of seed to $4.50 for 10 seeds. Add to that they are hybrid’s so you have to buy new seed every year. In fact some of the seed companies are offering the same variety with different customized names. Sort of like the drug companies issuing the same prescribed medicines under different names. I have grown hybrids before but due to the cost and the limitations of my choice I am reverting to the ol’ time method of seed saving non-hybrids. At least I’ll get more than 10 seeds!