What are Heirlooms?
SSE defines an heirloom as any garden plant that has a history of
being passed down within a family, just like pieces of heirloom jewelry
or furniture. Some companies have tried to create definitions based
on date, such as anything older than 50 years.
The genetic diversity of the world's food crops is eroding at an unprecedented
and accelerating rate. The vegetables and fruits currently being lost
are the result of thousands of years of adaptation and selection in
diverse ecological niches around the world. Each variety is genetically
unique and
has developed resistance's to the diseases and pests with
which it evolved. Plant breeders use the old varieties to breed resistance
into modern crops that are constantly being attacked by rapidly evolving
diseases and pests. Without these infusions of genetic diversity, food
production is at risk from epidemics and infestations.
Just how dangerous is genetic erosion? The late Jack Harlan, world renowned
plant collector who wrote the classic Crops and Man while Professor
of Plant Genetics at University of Illinois at Urbana, has written, “These resources stand between us and catastrophic starvation
on a scale we cannot imagine. In a very real sense, the future of the
human race rides on these materials. The line between abundance and
disaster is becoming thinner and thinner, and the public is unaware
and unconcerned. Must we wait for disaster to be real before we are
heard? Will people listen only after it is too late.”
*As a historical note, Kent Whealy first used the term “heirloom”
in relation to plants when giving a speech in Tucson in 1981. Kent had
asked permission to use the term from John Withee, who had used “heirloom”
on the cover of his Wanigan Associates bean catalog. John said sure,
that he had stolen it too from Professor William Hepler at the University
of New Hampshire, who first used the term “heirloom” to
describer some local beans that people had given him back in the 1940s.
How to Save Seed
Both beginning and experienced gardeners can easily learn how to save
all of their own seeds, resulting in substantial annual savings and
ever increasing self-sufficiency.
Seed to Seed is widely acknowledged as the
best guide available for home gardeners to learn effective ways to produce
and store seeds on a small scale. Author Suzanne Ashworth has grown
seed crops of every vegetable featured in the book, and has thoroughly
researched and tested all of the techniques she recommends for the home
garden. Seed to Seed is a comprehensive and invaluable reference book
for all gardeners who are interesting in maintaining unique varieties
and helping to conserve our vegetable heritage.
In 2002 SSE published the Second Edition of Seed to Seed,
a complete seed-saving guide that describes specific techniques for
saving the seeds of 160 different vegetables. The book contains detailed
information about each vegetable, including its botanical classification,
flower structure and means of pollination, required population size,
isolation distance, techniques for caging or hand-pollination, and also
the proper methods for harvesting, drying, cleaning and storing the
seeds.
This updated and greatly expanded Second Edition includes additional
information about how to start each vegetable from seed, which has turned
the book into a complete growing guide. Local knowledge about seed starting
techniques for each vegetable has been shared by expert gardeners from
seven regions of the U.S. - Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast/Gulf
Coast, Midwest, Southwest, Central West Coast, and Northwest.
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“Seed
to Seed is the wisest guide to seed saving and grassroots
genetic preservation you will ever find. Suzanne Ashworth has distilled
the best information from researchers and the Seed Savers Exchange to
guide vegetable gardeners from all walks of life.”
Purchase
Seed to Seed online»
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