What is an Heirloom Seed?

This is the BIG question!  I get asked this questions quite often and I don't think I talk about the WHAT and WHY heirloom seeds as much as I share about the unique varieties...Like Orange and PURPLE tomatoes!!!

For us, Heirloom Seeds are very important.  It is preserving natural history.  Did you know that at one time there were 288 Beet varieties available commercially?  Now there are 17!  How about Sweet Corn?  In 1903 there were 307 varieties and now there are 12 varieties available.  This is sad, scary and maddening all at the same time.  

source

The image above shows that we have lost 93% of seed varieties in 110 years.  They are gone!

If we have lost this many varieties in 110 years, what will happen in the next 50 and 100 years.  Will your grand-children and their children be eating Soilent Green?  

So back to the question...What is an heirloom seed?
I've decided to elaborate on my standard response.

Cherokee Purple Tomato

An heirloom seed has been saved and passed down from generation to generation. These seeds have been carefully cultivated and are considered a great value to the recipient. Some say an heirloom variety is 50 years old or more.  Some heirloom varieties have been passed down for over 100 years and others for over 400 years.

Hybrids and gmo varieties are not heirlooms.  These have been genetically "tweaked."  We call gmo varieties franken-seeds and they are not welcome in our house OR our garden.  
I have written about GMOs many times. 

Heirloom varieties are often called rare because they aren't "mainstream" and if you do find them in the store they're expensive!  

Atomic Red Carrot

 Heirloom seeds are not necessarily organic but most companies, like Mary's Heirloom Seeds, state that their seeds are organic and un-treated.  Why untreated?  Some companies use a chemical anti-bacterial to keep their seeds from growing mold.  Personally, I stay away from treated seeds.  I don't need added chemicals thank you very much!

Even if you don't have a "green thumb" it is important to preserve the integrity of our food and genetic biodiversity.  Plant an heirloom tomato and save a few seeds.  Plant heirloom lettuce or radishes and save the seeds.  What...You didn't know that radish and lettuce bloom and produce seeds?  More on that later!

French Breakfast Radish  (grown in the US, 1895)

Over the next few days I'll highlight a few more of my favorite heirloom varieties.  Plus, you can "Save some green on GREENS"
Check out our SPRING Newsletter!

Linking up at the HomeAcre Hop , LHITS  , Wildcrafting Wednesday and HERE.