Heirloom Vegetables - plan now for spring
Here in Texas my garden is still producing a little bit, but I am already planning for my spring garden and you should be too. With uncertain economic times and more people becoming interested in gardening, you want to make sure you can get the seeds you are looking for with no problems. And, you want time to get them started indoors. I decided a few months ago that I was going to do specific research for vegetables that grow really well in my region. Texas is a whole different planet from where I grew up gardening in the Midwest. I have planned the amounts of plants I want to grow next year but now I need to find the right varieties. Everyone is talking about heirloom tomatoes around here.
What is an heirloom tomato, or vegetable? It's an older variety. Many heirloom varieties have been consistent producers for 100 years or more. If you can find heirlooms that are preferred varieties for your region, that means those seeds should grow really well for you.
Heirloom vegetables are open-pollinated as well. This means you can save the seeds from some of your Kentucky wonder green beans, dry them, and plant them next year for more Kentucky Wonder beans. Many newer varieties will not grow true to type and may not even sprout.
You can get your seeds in a variety of ways.
You can order seeds from heirloom seed companies like Baker Creek, the Colonial Williamsburg seed nursery, the Old Sturbridge Village Seed store and others (click the link for a comprehensive list).
You can also try a seed exchange like the Appalachian Heirloom Seed Conservancy or the Seed Savers Exchange. Look for one specific to the region you live in to find the best possibilities for growing in your own garden.
It may only be fall but now is the time to plan for your spring garden. The more you plan now, the better your garden will be come spring.
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