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 Regarding
Seeds
ORGANIC SEED?
People often ask if our seed is
organic, the short answer is yes, if we can find what we need. It is not a requirement for certification
and although availability is steadily increasing, there is not an extensive
amount of seed available for bulk or commercial purchase. We have found that
each year, more and more is available, and we use it when we find it.
UNTREATED SEED?
We are required to use untreated
seed unless it is only available treated. Seeds can be treated with
Thiram, Captan, or other fungicide. Here at Upstarts Organic Seedlings we are committed to using
untreated seed and we do so with everything we grow.
HYBRID VS. HEIRLOOM WHAT’S THE
DIFFERENCE?
Hybri seed
is the first generation of a cross between two parents. Also called F1, This
seed then produces an offspring with specific traits. Usually they are bred for
uniformity, vigor, yield and disease resistance. The seed produced by these
offspring will often be sterile, or the plants will not produce any seed at all.
If there is any viable seed produced, the fruit is likely to revert to some
version of it's parents and not what you were expecting at all! If you want to
plant that particular variety again you must purchase the seed from the company
who produced it in the first place.
Open-pollinated seed
is self reproducing, non-hybrid seed. Providing that there is no cross
pollination, the plant's seed will be viable, and true to the parent. You can
save seeds year after year. Many verities are being lost because they are not
being reproduced by seed companies. We can all get involved in preserving the
genetic diversity of the planet by planting open pollinated and heirloom seed.
For further information regarding seed saving techniques contact The Seed Savers
exchange 3076 N Winn Rd. Decorah,IA 52101.
Heirloom seed
is simply seed that has been handed down from at least one to three generations
and by definition of course will be open-pollinated. These have withstood the
test of time and have been saved for the traits that make a successful harvest
in any given area. Many varieties have been passed on from Europe or from
native/indigenous people. Heirlooms are a treasure trove of genetic plant
material woven together by the magic of family, history, hardship, survival and
rebirth. As the seed companies that produced these seeds discontinued some seeds, it became the farmer and gardeners job to keep their
seed from year to year inorder to further the wealth of these heirloom and traditional
varieties.
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