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Deb Babcock: Preserving diversity among plant life

Deb Babcock

Online

For more information on heirloom gardening, check out these useful Web sites:

“Heirloom Vegetables,” Backyard Gardener

“Nostalgia You Can Eat,” Dave’s Garden

href="http://www.... ">Heirloom Seeds

Renee’s Garden

Salt Spring Seeds

href="http://www.... ">Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Synergy Seeds

href="http://www.... ">Victory Seed Company

href="http://www.... ">Garden Web

The Good Earth Greenhouse & Gardens

href="http://www.... ">Kokopelli Seed Foundation

Aunt Martha’s Garden Heirloom Seed Company

Online

For more information on heirloom gardening, check out these useful Web sites:

“Heirloom Vegetables,” Backyard Gardener

“Nostalgia You Can Eat,” Dave’s Garden



href=”http://www…. “>Heirloom Seeds

Renee’s Garden



Salt Spring Seeds

href=”http://www…. “>Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Synergy Seeds

href=”http://www…. “>Victory Seed Company

href=”http://www…. “>Garden Web

The Good Earth Greenhouse & Gardens

href=”http://www…. “>Kokopelli Seed Foundation

Aunt Martha’s Garden Heirloom Seed Company

— Did you know that in the past 100 years, about 75 percent of the genetic diversity of crops in the world has been lost to plants that have been developed for genetic uniformity? And did you know that just a handful of companies control 98 percent of the world’s seed sales?

Because these companies supply the world’s large-scale food producers, this means that fewer and fewer plants that were commonly grown in earlier periods of our history can be found and enjoyed. These newer hybrids generally were developed for reasons of long shelf life, ability to be transported long distances, and a tolerance for pesticides, drought, frost and other conditions. Note that nothing is said about their flavor, nutrition, aroma, color or possible specialized use.

The loss of diversity of our vegetable varieties isn’t just an aesthetic regret of someone who wants blue potatoes or an unusual squash as a novelty; it also can have a profound impact on our ability to feed ourselves should we experience a sudden change in climate or a devastating plant disease that wipes out an entire variety of food. Think back to the Irish potato famine in the 1840s. Farmers there began relying on one particular variety of potato that ended up being susceptible to potato blight fungus, starving its populace and ruining the economy of the country.

There is a growing school of gardeners who treasure rich diversity of flora and are growing heirloom plants. By preserving and growing heirloom plants, gardeners can pass on the rich history of plants that were grown for their particular hardiness in a microclimate, or for a wonderful flavor, color, shape, aroma, flower or culinary use. Or perhaps it was a variety that distant relatives grew or brought to America from their native countries.

You often can find out the origins of heirloom seeds and pass along the information — along with some seeds — to other gardeners, friends and family who may wish to also preserve a bit of horticultural history. Many of the heirloom seed and plant supplies also can provide you with a history of the variety. Additionally, the Amish, Mennonites and Native Americans have made special efforts to collect, save and preserve the stories behind many heirloom varieties.

Heirloom seeds differ from hybrids in a number of ways. The most important difference is that the plant is able to reproduce itself and that the seed produced will make another plant with the same traits through many generations. This is not true of hybrids. Heirloom plants also are open-pollinated, meaning that the plant requires no human intervention to reproduce. It does so naturally through insects or wind action.

Generally, heirlooms are at least 50 years old, often 100 years or more, though some varieties with shorter histories are considered heirlooms because of some unique trait. For a list of suppliers of heirloom seeds and plants, visit this Web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-130.html or check out the list of heirloom suppliers in the small box with this article. Next time you’re in Fort Collins, check out the seed storage site at Colorado State University.

Wouldn’t it be fun to try some varieties of vegetables in your garden next year that offer unique colors, shapes, aroma and tastes you cannot find anywhere else? Consider adding more diversity to your family garden with heirlooms.

Deb Babcock is a master gardener with the Routt County Cooperative Extension Office. Call 879-0825 with questions.


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