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Garden Gate:  What's the deal w/ mass produced Heirloom seeds?  |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 2:06:54 PM
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I saw a whole rack of "Heirloom" variety seed packets for sale at the hardware store.
I really want to support saving heirloom varieties of vegetables and am very anti-Frankenfood/GMO.
Are these "Heirlooms" worth purchasing? Are they the same as the open-pollinated stuff you can buy online from Baker Creek and Seed Savers' Exchange?
My gut tells me it's no different than buying from Burpee, but the lure of low prices and instant gratification is great...
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 2:22:28 PM
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Do you remember what Company they are from? I do not believe there is anything regulating the "Heirloom" claim right now, so do be careful, but your hardware store might have good buying practices as well.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 3:55:23 PM
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Alee is right, the word heirloom is sort of up for grabs so you have to be careful of who the parent company is. Monsanto owns or is connected with a ton of seed companies and you have to dig to find the connections - the best thing to do if you are concerned about the GMO issue is to buy from companies like the ones you named that sign the safe seed pledge. I know that Botanical Interests has - we sell that one at my work and I have seen it at our local seed store so it is possible to find them in regular retail locations
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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Lanna
True Blue Farmgirl
330 Posts
Lanna
A little town in Idaho
330 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 11:41:58 PM
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I'd also say it depends.
What the variety of seed it is (you get the hang of names and which are hybrids and which aren't and such) and which company they're from.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2009 : 09:28:00 AM
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What are some reputable companies to buy from? I just got a seedsavers catalog and i THINK they are a good company but I just don't know anymore. What do you girls think?
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2009 : 12:05:17 PM
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The seeds my hardware store carries are Ferry Morse, and they have signed the pledge. They do sell a lot of hybrids, but I also noticed a lot of heirlooms this year being specifically marketed as such.
The other "big" company that I found on the Safe Seeds pledge list is Johnny's.
Seed Savers is *definitely* ok.
Here's a link to the companies that have signed. http://www.gene-watch.org/programs/safeseed/sourcebook.html
Amy Grace, thanks for the tip!
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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cheryl sisk
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
cheryl
darien
wi
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2009 : 1:23:22 PM
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| I got heirloom seed at Lowes by burpee what do you think I did buy seed from seed saver I KNOW they are ok |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2009 : 1:36:16 PM
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GO mavens GO!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2009 : 3:07:58 PM
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Cheryl and Amanda, I saw heirloom seeds by Burpee at Cracker Barrel - in the section with lots of old time garden pair-a-fun-ail-ya (I don't know how to spell that word). Heirloom is a buzz word these days, just like anything 'green.' You have to be careful because as has been stated many times, it isn't regulated and the definition is loose. Among seed savers, the general rule of thumb is 50 years old or older, has been handed down from one generation to another and has a story to go with it. For example, if I'm able to bring back the buttercups that my dad had planted in the garden (long sad story - bad me), they would be heirlooms. My great-grandmother brought them with her from Germany, my grandma planted them and my dad was trying to keep them going for me. So they're more than 50 years old, handed down through generations and have a story.
Bottom line, research the company and if they haven't taken the pledge, don't buy from them. Monsanto is trying to get legislation passed under the intellectual property umbrella so that eventually no one will be able to save their own seed (they see it as stealing from them making $$) and the seed you buy from them will be sterile so they can't reproduce. Isn't it fascinating to think that inside that seed is a little plant just waiting to be 'born?'
Want to know more? Come on over to the DOE or read the latest edition of MJ's magazine about the mavens. We lovetalking about this - and walking the talk!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
Edited by - LivingWell4You on Feb 10 2009 3:10:06 PM |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 07:39:28 AM
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Right now I'm just trying to keep myself from buying $50 worth of seeds from reneesgarden.com and rareseeds.com! Ack!!! So many little plants waiting to be born. :D
But I was plenty proud of myself for putting all those tempting packets of on-sale seeds at the hardware store back on the rack because I hadn't verified their origen.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 08:17:12 AM
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Oh wow - you put seeds back on the shelf!! You are a strong woman:)
I love picking seeds!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 08:29:11 AM
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Amanda, I am so proud of you! It's all I can do to keep from peeing on the electric fence!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 08:37:26 AM
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Oh my goodness Karen, - you almost made me pee in the computer chair I was laughing so hard:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 09:16:07 AM
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Hahahahah! Me too!
I think my coworkers will know I am on the web - too much laughing at work!
I'm trying to pick out some flowering perennials that will work in part sun - my whole front yard is dappled at best in the morning with mostly sun in the afternoon. So every seed that looks pretty and might tolerate some shade goes in the shopping cart. Next thing I know I've got $40 worth! And that's not even the veggies!
Very excited that I found "Fortna" white pumpkins at rareseeds.com. Bought one last year to make pie with, and it was FANtastic. And very easy to get the meat out, too. Very little scraping out seed goop.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:00:50 AM
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Amanda - that's how my front yard is too, I think Botanical Interests had a "shady mix" - it was flowers, mix of perennials and annuals. I will have to try to find that again
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:05:17 AM
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Anything I can do to make your day, ladies! A day without laughter is like, well, I just don't even wanna think about it!!!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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rooted_rover
Farmgirl in Training
13 Posts
Sher
Nine Mile Falls
WA
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:35:04 AM
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| Just found this thread and wanted to add my Booooo to Monsanto! They don't know who they're up against with so many heirloom mavens :) and the conviction to put seeds back on the shelf...WOW! Awesome. It's all the little choices we make each day that can make the world a better place eh? With that, I'd better stop dreaming of seeds and spring and go make my world a better place with some clean dishes.... Sher |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:46:06 AM
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Hey, Sher, after your dishes are done (I'll be joining you after this post - should be there already but, ya know.....) come over to the DOE thread (Danger of Extinction) and join in the maven conversation. You've got the heart and spunk, girl! http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=1
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:50:22 AM
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Hey Sher - welcome from an almost-neighbor:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 12:26:30 PM
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Those look great! I've never planted a mix like that, so it would be interesting to see what happens.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 2:38:11 PM
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Amy Grace, well, my resolve only goes so far, 'cause I just spent ALL my seed money at Botanical Interests and Baker Creek. Whew!
That last post was about the Shade mix you mentioned earlier, but by the time I hit "post" after getting distracted by online shopping a whole bunch of other things were posted so it didn't really make much sense.
So Sher, I think I did ok putting my money (too much of it) where my mouth is.
Can't wait to get to know the Mavens too.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 3:14:27 PM
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Amanda, I wondered where you went today. Now I know - you were supporting the cause!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 3:31:41 PM
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Yay!! Seed buying
Amanda - that happens with the posting in the Mavens all the time, we are all about 13 steps ahead of the computer!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Heirloom Mavens Badge Badger |
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cheryl sisk
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
cheryl
darien
wi
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2009 : 5:42:14 PM
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| Karen thanks for the info i have read a lot about monsanto and the bad thinks they are doing to seed i have been reading a lot about heirloom i what to make my veg garden as much heirloom as i can it seam like nothing is safe anymore |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2009 : 7:31:17 PM
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Kelley (farmmommy) shared this on another post. It's another great perspective on the importance of saving heirloom seeds. The quote is from the Path to Freedom website and I included the link to the quote below.
"Anytime I think about heirloom ANYTHING, I think about genetic diversity (of course). There are all these genes in a plant, and some you like and some you don't and some you have no idea what they do because they are "quietly" important. Important in ways we don't know. If we let some herbs "fall out of favor" and push them to the side or even go EXTINCT, we are losing something that we can't find again and LATER it might be important, medicinally, for drought tolerance, for pest tolerance, etc. It's like fighting to save the world's endangered species, only it's not species, it's GENES and we can't even describe them yet so that makes it even harder." > Jennifer Heer, Genetic Research Assistant North Carolina State University
http://pathtofreedom.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=66
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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Garden Gate: What's the deal w/ mass produced Heirloom seeds? |
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What's the deal w/ mass produced Heirloom seeds?
