What are heirloom seeds?

Although there are many different definitions of what heirloom seeds are, most agree that the seeds are open pollinated and pre-date World War II. Heirloom seeds are ones that have not been modified to produce larger fruits and are not disease resistant.

With heirloom seeds being open-pollinated, the seeds from the fruit or vegetable can be saved each year and grow the same plant. Hybrid plant seeds that are saved won't grow the same plant.

Heirloom seeds produce fruit that many say taste better than hybrids. These seeds are easier to grow than many of the hybrid seeds but may succumb to diseases.