Heirloom Varieties
Heirloom vegetables are old, open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation. These treasured plants serve as living artifacts and living history exhibits, connecting us to agricultural practices of the past. They also represent a vital reservoir of genetic diversity.
The definition of an heirloom variety varies among experts. The most common criterion is that the variety existed before 1951, when hybrid varieties were first introduced. Many heirlooms are 100-150 years old or much older. Some varieties trace their origins to Africa and Asia, while Native Americans have preserved seeds since pre-Columbian times, and certain European crops date back over 400 years. Alternative definitions suggest that heirloom seeds must be more than 50 years old, while others specify a pre-WWII timeline.
The defining feature of heirloom crops is their open-pollinated nature—plants grown from their seeds will be true to type, resembling their parent plants. This differs from hybrid varieties, whose seeds may produce plants with different characteristics. Though some open-pollinated plants can cross-pollinate, gardeners maintain variety purity through careful practices like geographic isolation or bagging the flowers, particularly for cucurbits and cole crops. Remember that while all heirlooms are open-pollinated, but not all open-pollinated plants are heirlooms. Additionally, heirloom crops are non-GMO, meaning humans haven't altered their DNA.
Flavor is a primary reason people preserve heirloom seeds, as many varieties offer exceptional taste. These plants often display unique characteristics, such as color and shape, inspiring farmers and gardeners to save and share their seeds. The rich stories and history behind heirloom plants captivate gardeners. The 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' bean traveled with the Cherokee people during their forced relocation. The 'Brandywine' tomato, an Amish heirloom, emerged in Pennsylvania in 1885. 'Golden Bantam' corn, introduced in 1902, became the gold standard for corn varieties. The 'Costoluto Genovese' tomato, a distinctively fluted Italian variety known for its rich flavor, dates to the early 19th century.
Heirloom crops have earned their reputation as "built to last" through generations of selection for extremely delicious, hardy, and crack-resistant traits. Their main drawback, however, is that they typically don't have a very long shelf life and may not be as resistant to diseases as modern hybrid varieties.
Some vegetables, including potatoes, garlic, and Jerusalem artichokes, propagate vegetatively, producing offspring genetically identical to the parent plant. Garlic, for instance, has a 5,000-year history, with modern cultivars linking back to ancient Middle Eastern varieties.
Heirloom seeds are available through several specialized companies, including Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Territorial Seeds, and Annie's Heirloom Seeds, as well as some local grocery and garden supply stores. Choosing heirloom varieties supports farms dedicated to preserving non-hybrid crops and maintaining seed diversity.
