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Morgan's Farmhouse

Creating a Homegrown and Homemade Life

Choosing the Right Seed: A Guide to Seed Types

February 8, 2023 by morgansfarmhouse Leave a Comment

Are you gearing up for the garden? Picking out seeds is one of the first steps in planning a garden. Reading a seed packet can be like reading hieroglyphics. That’s why I’ve written Choosing the Right Seed: A Guide to Seed Types. I’ll help you decipher the seed code.

Seed packets scattered on wooden background

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A Seed is a Seed Right?

Well not exactly. When I first started gardening, I would go to Walmart and pick out my seeds. Oftentimes, I wouldn’t even read the names. If I wanted carrots, I’d grab the first seed packet with a picture of carrots on the front. Scientific, I know. Then I noticed one that said heirloom. I figured heirloom meant old-fashioned and I liked old-fashioned things. So then I grabbed up any seed packet with the word heirloom on the front. That is when the research began. My decisions became more informed. I started choosing the right seeds for my gardening desires. Long gone are the days of picking seeds at Walmart based on the picture alone. Well…mostly gone. Now I am sharing with you Choosing the Right Seed: A Guide to Seed Types, so that you too can make informed seed decisions.

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Genetically Modified Seeds

Genetically modified seeds have been modified to look a certain way or grow under less desirable conditions. The problem with genetically modified seeds is that they  produce genetically modified food. When I am planting a vegetable garden, my goal is to get away from genetically modified foods. I would suggest that you avoid genetically modified seeds completely.

Hand with seeds in the palm

Hybrid Seeds

Hybrid seeds are not genetically modified. Instead they are cross bred in a lab to get desirable traits. If a seed packet says F1 that means it is the first generation of that hybrid seed. Although this has been the standard seed type for many years, people are now moving away from this. The problem with hybrid seeds is that you can’t  plant the seeds for the same results next year. While you can save the seeds and plant them again the following year, the outcome may not be the same. This creates a dependence on the seed suppliers. My goal is to create a system that isn’t dependent on a seed lab or supplier.

Seeds scattered on soil

Open-Pollinated Seeds

Open-pollinated seeds are ones that came from two parent plants that were alike. That means that a plant was pollinated by a plant of the same type or by self-pollination. Therefore, these seeds can be saved and planted again. Think of this as nature’s way of doing things.

Seed packets with garden glove laying on soil

Heirloom Seeds

Heirloom seeds are all open-pollinated. The difference is that heirloom seeds come with a historical story or have been for many years. Although all heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, not all open-pollinated seeds are heirloom. So I was right, heirloom seeds are old-fashioned and they do remain my favorite type.

Now that you have some seeds, it’s time to learn how to start seeds!

Fingers holding seed above dirt

The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: For Beginners, Garden Tagged With: beginner garden, garden, gardening, gardening for beginners, seed

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Morgan's Farmhouse

Hi, I’m Morgan, wife, teacher,  and wannabe homesteader. Follow along for recipes, tips, and tricks as we learn how to go from city living to homesteading heaven. Read more about me here.

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