Plant Seeds, Save Money, Be Green

For myself, the type of seed I prefer to grow are open pollinated seeds. The reason being that, if done right, you can collect and use the seeds from the vegetables you grew with open pollinated seeds and use them again next year. In fact, these seeds will also gradually adapt to the local ecosystem of your garden and produce more consistent results year after year.

You can also purchase hybrid seeds which are a man-made breed, controlled through hand pollination. They typically have higher yields which is important for commercial growers, or gardeners who don't have a lot of space. Hybrid seeds are known for being more resistant to disease and producing more uniform crop. Unfotunately, if you collect the seeds of hybrid vegetables then there is a good chance that it won't produce the same vegetables the following year or any at all. Whereas open pollinated seeds will come true to form the following year.

Open pollinated seeds are traditional varieties which have typically been grown for many years. In other words, they have evolved naturally with time. Most importantly, they usually have better flavour. All heirloom seeds are open pollinated and are obviously older varieties.

As a home gardener, why not try both types of seeds? You can judge for yourself which one you prefer. In fact, there might be a place for both in your garden. The experience is a fascinating one which may have you hooked. Given the right amount of attention you could easily grow vegetables from seed and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

An excellent book which I have used many times before is

Seed to Seed: Seed Saving Techniques, by Suzanne Ashworth.

A brief summary of this article's points;

Open pollinated

• product of mother nature
• reproduce year after year true to form
• adapt to local ecosystem
• more flavour
• heirloom seeds

Hybrid seeds

• man made
• will not reproduce following year
• commonly disease resistant
• high yielding

There is so much to learn about gardening that will keep me interested for most likely my whole life. This is why I am so keen on sharing what I know. I have also noticed that all gardeners love to share what they know as well. The internet is a great forum to share that information so this is my beginning of that adventure! I hope you enjoy this beginning and more importantly I hope you will share your little tips and tricks as well.

Now that I have planted my internet seed, stay tuned for my next article which will go into more detail on how to get those seeds sprouting!