Hybrids vs Heirloom Plants

When it comes to gardening there are two types of plants - hybrids and heirloom.  In order to understand the difference, you need to know a bit of basic genetics.  An heirloom plant is one that has not been modified other than by nature.  It breeds true  meaning if you collect seeds from the plant, the resulting plants from the seeds will be the same as the parent plant (P).  An hybrid is the

Growing Heirlooms

When it comes to gardening, the choice of what to grow is reduced to heirloom varieties or hybrids.  By far I prefer heirloom varieties because I can save the seeds that breed true.  Seed can be saved from hybrids and I do but quite often they do not breed true.  There are also asexual propagation restrictions on some hybrid varieties.
One commentator asked me back in the spring if I could list

California Wonder Peppers

California Wonder PeppersAugust 19, 2010
I am more than pleased with the performance of the California Wonder sweet peppers!  This is an heirloom variety of sweet peppers.  Most will be familiar with California Wonder sweet peppers as it is the most common variety sold in grocery stores.  So why am I excited?  In the past I have had major bad luck growing sweet peppers other than sweet banana

First Ripe Brandywine Tomato of 2010

First Ripe Brandywine TomatoAugust 8, 2010
I am so excited!  I picked the first ripe brandywine tomato of 2010 yesterday.  We have had an extended hot spell so the tomatoes are not ripening as quick as they normally would.  Brandywine is a lovely heirloom tomato.  The tomatoes are a good size with a firm, pinkish red flesh and nice tomato flavour.  The vines are in raised beds and looking quite