The Heirloom Seed Project
What are heirloom seeds?
Heirloom seeds are seeds that came from plants grown more than 50 years ago. They come from plants that were openly pollinated meaning that they were pollinated naturally by wind, bees or by human hands. The seeds were collected each year and grown the year after with the result of plants developing nearly the same characteristics as the parent plants. They were even passed down through generations. The tradition is carried on even today.
How are they different from hybrid?
Hybrid seeds come from the careful crossing of two selected parent plants to produce a particular species that is popular with commercial farming.
