GARDEN
Still , the association of flavour with heirlooms makes sense when you think about it from a gardener ’ s point of view , as many heirlooms started as seeds saved by gardeners who wanted to preserve the besttasting vegetables .
DO HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES PRODUCE LESS FRUIT ?
It depends on the crop . Some heirloom varieties can have heavy yields , while others , particularly certain types of tomatoes , may have smaller yields . The rich flavour of heirloom vegetables often comes from the extensive foliage these plants produce . However , heirloom tomatoes , for example , tend to be less prolific than hybrids , so what you gain in flavour might be limited by the quantity of the harvest .
DO HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES HAVE DISEASE RESISTANCE ?
Some do , and some don ’ t . Hybrids generally have greater disease resistance because that is one of the factors breeders select for . Heirloom varieties have some disease resistance , or they would not have survived to become heirlooms . As with hybrids , of course , some have more resistance than others .
ARE THERE ANY SECRETS TO GROWING HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES SUCCESSFULLY ?
Start with heirloom varieties suited to your region , then be sure to water and fertilise regularly so plants don ’ t get stressed , which makes them more susceptible to attack by pests and diseases . Sanitation is critical whether you ’ re growing heirlooms or hybrids . If you have diseased plants , get them out of the garden . Don ’ t just throw them in a pile in the middle of the row . Also , keep weeds down because they harbour insects and diseases .
Heirloom seeds are seeds from plant varieties that have been passed down through generations , often within a family or community .
With tomatoes , a proactive disease management programme is recommended . This means weekly fungicide sprays of chlorothalonil or copper ( for organic gardeners ).
76 MARKtoe ! Augustus 2024