Tomatoes are a great addition to any home garden. Home grown tomatoes taste wonderful, are easy to grow, and provide a bounty of health benefits in so many dishes. If you are growing a small garden at your home, heirloom tomato seeds are a great choice for planting.
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Commercially bred tomatoes are designed to have very specific traits. They often have thicker skin, ripen later, or are more resistant to certain insects. All of these traits are great for industrial farms that need to grow and ship large quantities of tomatoes around the country. Unfortunately, these tomatoes are often lacking in nutrition and taste. These traits are given up in the search for tomatoes that last longer and sell better.
Heirloom tomatoes, however, is one that is grown for its selected characteristics. These tomatoes are varieties that are passed down for generations, often older than 50 years and open pollinated. While there are some newer heirloom varieties, these are often created by crossing two traditional heirloom tomatoes together. These older varieties were carefully bred for their flavors and nutritional value, rather than commercial ability.
Heirloom plants come in hundreds of varieties, unlike the few grown for commercial purposes. Each heirloom plant is evolved to survive in its unique climate and environment, adapting to fight the specific diseases and incests found in its area. However fewer and fewer heirloom tomatoes are being grown now. This is leading to negative outcomes even in commercially grown foods.
The decrease in genetic variety among tomato plants has created an increase in plant disease epidemics. Pests are also becoming stronger as the number of varieties decreases. The fewer varieties of tomatoes being grown, the more opportunities diseases and pests have to flourish. Global food production is at serious risk due to commercial varieties being over grown.
Growing heirloom tomatoes can be easy for even the most inexperienced gardener. Water the plants evenly, keeping the root system damp and well hydrated on hot summer days. Provide support for the growing plants with simple wire cages or stakes. Be sure to prune your plants as needed to keep fruit large and prevent the plants from taking over your garden. Then just wait til some tomatoes are ripe, harvest, and enjoy.
Heirloom tomatoes can add an abundance of unique varieties to your home garden. Any gardener can help preserve heirloom breeds while adding color and flavor to his food. Grow heirloom tomatoes in your garden today!
Why should you grow “heirloom” tomatoes?
What is an Heirloom Tomato?
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