{"id":20023,"date":"2024-04-06T11:33:31","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T18:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/yakima\/?p=20023"},"modified":"2024-09-03T11:38:52","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T18:38:52","slug":"why-grow-heirlooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/yakima\/2024\/04\/06\/why-grow-heirlooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Grow Heirlooms?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published April 6, 2024 in the Yakima Herald-Republic<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Phyllis Pugnetti<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demand for heirloom varieties, especially in edible plants, has increased dramatically in recent years. There are many reasons that heirlooms actually may be better suited to home gardens than hybrid varieties. One of the biggest reasons is that heirlooms are open pollinated so you can save seed year after year. This is not true of hybrid varieties. In recent years, we\u2019ve seen shortages of all kinds, including seeds and garden supplies. In 2020 some seeds were sold out by January! This has made many gardeners re-think the value of saving seeds. But, there are many other reasons for the rise in popularity of heirlooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oftentimes heirlooms are grown in backyard gardens and have been selected over many decades or even centuries for qualities like flavor, aroma, color, yields, resilience, and adaptability. These are the qualities most home gardeners want. On the other hand, farmers need traits that allow for mechanical harvesting and long distance shipping. This explains why commercial varieties have tough skin, firm flesh, uniform size and color, with little regard to flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heirloom seeds saved and grown year after year in a certain area will become well adapted to the soil and growing conditions in that specific area. They also may become adapted to the way you garden. For example, you may grow organically or with low water. When you save heirloom seeds from your own garden, they adapt to your specific garden soil, micro climate, and your gardening style\u2014in this case no chemicals and little water. This means you spend less on seed, water, and chemicals. It makes your garden more resilient, sustainable, and obviously reduces your dependence upon commercial seed companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout history, seeds have been so highly valued that when people immigrated to a new place they carried treasured seeds in hidden pockets, hatbands, belts, boots, the hems of their clothes, and even woven into their hair. Those seeds brought a touch of home to people who settled far from their ancestral lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people have forgotten the value that our ancestors placed on seeds. When Thomas Jefferson was the US Secretary of State he traveled to Italy, and found a variety of rice that grew without flooding the fields. Taking the seeds out of Italy was a crime punishable by death; yet he had some sewn into a hidden pocket hoping they would grow on his plantation in Virginia. Few gardeners today would consider seeds precious enough to die for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most satisfying things about growing heirlooms is knowing the story of a variety\u2014and we don\u2019t have to look farther than our own backyard for a good story. Gloria\u2019s tomato is a good example. Gloria lives in Ellensburg and was gifted tomato seeds from a visiting friend, who got them from her neighbor, Larry in Pennsylvania. Larry said his family grew this tomato for generations but it never had any name other than \u2018tomato\u2019. Gloria stewarded this variety, selecting for flavor, vigor, and yields. She sold seedlings of Larry\u2019s tomato at the farmers market but her return customers always referred to it as Gloria\u2019s and on occasion as Glorious tomato. Gloria generously shared this wonderful Ellensburg variety with Yakima Master Gardeners\u2019 Seed Library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another wonderful history is the Yakima Marblehead squash, a true Yakima heirloom. Marblehead squash was first introduced in Marblehead MA in 1857. It traveled across the nation with pioneers, arriving in Yakima in 1896. It had the ability to adapt very quickly to new environments, becoming a new variety in each location where it was grown. The large squash would store for over a year and could feed a very large family, important qualities at a time when families were large and there was no refrigeration. As families became smaller, all the Marblehead squashes gradually fell in popularity. It is believed that the Yakima Marblehead is the only Marblehead variety left in existence. Sadly it is at risk of extinction. This variety is also available from the Seed Library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the debate on heirlooms vs. hybrids, heirlooms win on history, flavor, aroma, texture, adaptability, resilience, affordability, but among home gardeners\u2014it really is all about the flavor! <\/p>\n\n