HOMEHeirloom Plants
Plants, variety and heirloom vegetables have been around since early human history. These type of Old fashioned plants are not yet used in modern large scale agriculture. They have distinct characteristics which include appearance, taste, color, smell and unique histories. The plants have been handed down from generations of family gardners. The growing of heritage, historic plants has become very popular over the last ten years in the United States and Europe.
If you are looking to plant a flower garden similar to your grandmothers, special "historical" flowers are still in abundance today. They have been passed down through the generations from family to family and neighbor to neighbor. They are an open-pollinated cultivar that has not been in large scale agri-businesses. In old times flowers were grown for the protection of animals at night, but most were grown as herbs or for medicinal use. You will find seed companies who carry an abundance of these seeds today. Some of the heirloom varieties may include Hollyhock, Sweet Pea, Snapdragons and Morning Glory's. Large Antique or what some call "old" roses are a timely favorite that are sought after because of their beauty and frangrance. They date back to the time of the Roman Empire. Rose petals were used at wealthy celebrations and rose perfume was used by the very rich. Heirloom roses have more fragrance than hybrid roses. Old garden roses are easy to grow, winter hardy, and disease-resistant.
Heirloom vegetable plants are still around today because farmers want to preserve their marvelous taste and other fine qualities. This allows gardeners of today to see, taste and appreciate the cultural artifacts of yesterday. Heirloom vegetables mostly range from 100-150 years old with some that are even older. These vegetables are open-pollunated cultivars and are not hybrids. They will consistantly come back year after year from seed just like the year before where hybrids will not. Hybrid seeds might not germinate because they are sterile. If they do produce a plant they will not take on the same characteristics as their parent the year before.
by Amy Goldman
Amazon Price: $23.10
Customer Review: I was not sure about this book, but was interested in possibly growing heirloom tomatoes. The Heirloom Tomato turned out to be a surprisingly good book. Outstanding photography of all the varieties, plus detailed information on each tomato, its history, flavor, appearance and use. Information on raising heirlooms, saving seeds, and even breeding is included.Tomatoes have never been so interesting. Definitely a worthwhile investment, even if you don't grow any.
by Carolyn J. Male
Amazon Price: $12.89
Customer Review: This book got me hooked on vegetable gardening at the age of 62. It is simple, strauight forward,and encouraging. Dr. Male's book introduced me to heirloom tomatoes and the explantions of what to expect and how to solve or avoid problems made me feel comfortable to go forward. I bought the book two years ago, and I still go back to review and look up things that I forgot. The book also has great pictures of the tomatoes that she writes about.
by Gail Gibbons
Amazon Price: $6.95
Customer Review: The seller advertised this book well. It was a smooth transition. This book helped to teach my October literacy unit.
by Amy Goldman
Amazon Price: $16.50
Customer Review: I am very happy with this book. Has nice photos and talks about how to grow melons.
by Steve Bender, Felder Rushing
Amazon Price: $16.50
Customer Review: Currently, I'm on my third copy of Passalong Plants. The first two were loaned out to fellow Southern gardeners and when their reactions were so enthusiastic, I gifted the books to them and bought myself another one (on Amazon, of course). Being a Southern gardener, raised by Southern gardeners who rarely purchased a plant for their extensive collections, this book truly struck home. I laughed myself to tears at points in the book, remembering similar incidents with my own grandmother, mother...
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Customer Review: Received this product much sooner than promised. Seeds grow as claimed and plant is great. My cat loves it. Highly recommend product and seller.
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Customer Review: I've planted two seasons from one packet of these seeds. They are colorful, but not as flavorful as one would hope. The maroon-skinned carrots are orange inside and taste the best. The white ones grow hard and fast, and go to seed sooner than the others. The orange ones taste like carrot, but are not very sweet. They will also grow HUGE if you leave them in the ground long enough.
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Customer Review: I let seed soak for 3-4 days, used store purchased potting soil and plants grow pretty big.
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Customer Review: I mistakenly shook the seeds in. I now have about 40 stems with leaves. There should be some instructions for pruning.
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Customer Review: I used these in my AeroGarden and they worked wonderfully, I'm looking forward to using these seeds in my out door garden.
American Heirloom