Many backyard gardeners have jumped on the heirloom seed bandwagon in recent years. The reasons given for this vary, but usually have to do with convictions about commercial production, the desire for sustainability, and a preference for the product. From tomato and squash to tobacco and marijuana seeds for sale online, backyard growers of all kinds are choosing to grow and save seeds from heirloom plants.

In fact, heirloom seeds have become so popular that many seed companies have started breeding hybrid versions that mimic some of the favorite heirloom varieties. Commercial breeders are creating hybrids that have more variety and flavor, and come in interesting colors and shapes in order to attract gardeners back to their products. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each option:

Heirloom Seeds

Heirloom seeds are seeds that have been saved and passed down through the generations, often from family member to family member. These seeds are often old varieties that were bred and propagated regionally. However, many were bred by seed companies and were (and still are) widely available commercially.

Because they were bred in backyards, nurseries, and universities through natural propagation methods, heirloom seeds are open-pollinated. This means that, unlike hybrids, the seeds from the plants bear true to the parents unless they are accidentally cross-pollinated. This also means they promote biodiversity and genetic diversity. In addition, because heirloom seeds have usually been passed down through generations they are often adapted to local growing conditions in the area. They can also be less expensive than hybrids, especially if gardeners save their own seeds.

Finally, heirloom seeds are often much more diverse, unique, and delicious than their commercial hybrid counterparts. Because hybrid seeds are often bred for commercial producers, the most important characteristics are often uniformity, long shelf life, and disease resistance. The downside of this is that they are often less interesting to look at, grow, and eat compared with heirlooms. Heirlooms were selected for standards of taste, variety, and local growing conditions, and are often much better tasting and come in greater varieties.

The disadvantages of heirloom seeds can be important to recognize and accept. Most heirloom seeds are more vulnerable to diseases because commercial seeds are usually bred specifically for disease resistance. Heirloom seeds also have lower yields than hybrids, which can be a disadvantage for farmers and home growers with limited space. They are also not as uniform in appearance as hybrids and are more likely to ripen over a long period of time rather than all at once. Home gardeners that wish to preserve food by canning, freezing, or drying can find this problematic. It is easier to preserve food when you can work with large batches at once.

Finally, heirloom seeds can be harder to find than hybrids, and in the case of rare varieties, they can be expensive and only available online or in catalogs. However, because these seeds are open-pollinated, motivated gardeners can save money and frustration by saving the seeds of their favorite varieties for next year.

Hybrid Seeds

Hybrid seeds are those that have been bred commercially for specific traits and do not breed true. They are created by crossing the genes from carefully bred parent plants. Hybrids must be cross-pollinated each year, and the parent plants are usually carefully guarded genetic secrets. When crossed, these carefully bred parent plants produce first-generation offspring that have specific desirable traits which are hard to get in open-pollinated varieties, such as uniformity and strong disease resistance.

The advantages of hybrids are powerful, so much so that most commercial producers only use these seeds in their operations. Hybrids are often bred for disease resistance, which can reduce the need for pesticides and fungicides and reduce the amount of time needed to care for the plants. They also have higher yields than heirlooms, are often bred for uniformity in appearance, and have consistent growth patterns that mean they can all be harvested at the same time. The product from hybrid plants can also have very long shelf lives, meaning they last longer in the refrigerator or on the counter before spoiling.

However, for the home gardener, hybrids also have some disadvantages. First, many hybrids are expensive because they are patented and protected, similar to intellectual property. Highly desirable varieties may be expensive or hard to find for backyard growers. They are also proprietary and cannot be saved and replanted, which means growers have to purchase new seeds each year. Trying to save hybrid seeds usually results in failure as the offspring are nothing like the parent plant. In addition, it is usually illegal to propagate these plants. However, many gardeners don’t want to save seed and do not find this to be a problem.

Hybrid plants are bred for commercial markets and in many cases, people find the taste of hybrid vegetables to be inferior to heirlooms. Unusual colors, shapes, and flavors are also not common in hybrid varieties, such as yellow watermelons, black tomatoes, and blue squash. Hybrids are also less likely to be locally adapted compared with heirlooms.

Conclusion

Overall, the choice between heirloom and hybrid seeds depends on the specific needs and goals of the grower. For home gardeners who prioritize taste and genetic diversity, heirlooms may be the best choice. On the other hand, for those who prioritize disease resistance, yield, and uniformity, such as growers who plan to preserve or who live in an area with a lot of diseases, hybrids may be the best choice.