Why seeds matter
Let’s face it, There are a lot of seed sources out there. Certified organic, open pollinated, hybrid, non-gmo…
But what does it all mean? Let’s break it down.
Certified Organic
These seeds come from a farm that has gone through a process of certification which states that “Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop”* among other requirements. Organic seeds are non-GMO and can be open-pollinated, heirloom, or hybrids. Receiving an organic certification can be a lengthy process and is expensive. A lot of smaller farms and seed producers exclusively use organic practices but lack the certification.
Pure and Natural
Seeds that are grown using organic practices without certification.
Open-Pollinated (OP)
When plants are allowed to be pollinated by insects, wind, birds, or other natural means. Open-pollinated plants are able to adapt to their growing conditions and environment each season. As long as the pollen doesn’t cross between another variety from the same species, the plants will be true-to-type year after year. If you want to save your own seeds, you’ll need to make sure to purchase open-pollinated varietes.
Heirloom
Seeds that have been passed down through generations of farmers and gardeners. Typically heirloom seeds have an interesting story behind them and have a history of at least 50 years. These seeds are all open-pollinated but not all open-pollinated seeds are heirlooms.
Regionally Adapted
Seeds that are bred to grow especially well in a specific climate or region. This becomes especially important in Colorado as most seeds from larger seed companies are grown in climates very different than ours. Regionally adapted seeds are open pollinated because they are able to evolve and adapt to their environment.
Hybrid (F1)
A seed becomes a hybrid when it crosses pollen with another variety of the same species. This could be intentional to facilitate a specific trait in a crop or unintentionally by insects, wind, or birds. This is how some gardeners who save their squash (which has an imperfect flower) seeds end up with a squashcumber.
Seed companies purposefully cross different species to ‘perfect’ a variety. Traits like long storage, disease resistance, and taste can all be bred through hybridization. There is nothing wrong with buying hybrid seeds. However, if you would like to save seed, next years crop won’t be true to type. You’ll get a plant that is like one of the original type.
GMO/Non-GMO
GMO (genetically modified organism) are seeds that are bred in a lab using technology to produce specific traits or disease resistance. Non-GMO seeds (either OP or Hybrids) are bred through pollination. You can still breed traits through Open-Pollination and Hybridization but the breeding process has more to do with selection than modification.
Auntie M’s Garden uses only organic practices, materials, and OMRI certified products in our gardens.
We are currently working on using only regionally adapted seeds from Colorado in our gardens. When you choose to plant open-pollinated, regionally adapted seeds you give your garden a jump start on the season and allow yourself to save your own seeds in the future. We also save a lot of seeds in our own gardens to create our own adaptations specific to Denver.
Looking for regionally adapted, open pollinated plants? Let Auntie M’s Garden supply your garden this season.
CONTACT US to find out more.
*Visit the USDA website for more information on Certified Organic requirements.
