A couple of times in this blog, I’ve referenced “heirloom” flowers or vegetables. Like “organic”, a word like “heirloom” might sound good on the cover of a catalog…but if you’re like I was a few years ago, you’re probably wondering - what exactly does it mean?, And what makes it special? Read on for the answers and then some!What is an heirloom plant?
An heirloom plant (usually a flower, fruit, or vegetable) is one that was developed before a certain year in history and can hail from anywhere plants can grow. Depending on who you talk to – this date can fluctuate, by say oh, – 50 to 100 years! But, most heirloom enthusiasts go by the year 1951. An heirloom plant is also open-pollinated. That means that if you grow an heirloom pepper from seed, the seeds of that pepper will be viable to grow more peppers the following year. Most peppers (and other produce) that you buy at the store have been highly hybridized and are therefore, sterile.
Why 1951?
Produce in particular was a lot different prior to 1951. It seems like a leap, but World War II and its aftershocks might have actually had a latent effect on the way we grow and consume our vegetables. During both World Wars, “victory gardens” planted in the home yard and parks were employed to raise morale, and more practically, to ease the public food shortage in the wake of war-time rationing and limited resources. Many modern heirlooms existed in these gardens and it was indeed an ingenious way to cope with wartime hardship. However, after 1951, the war was behind us and the population of the U.S. was growing (you’ve heard of the baby boom I’m sure). Perhaps as a result of this, commercial growers began to raise produce with the goal of higher yields, faster production, larger size and brighter color - at the expense of flavor and nutritional content.
A second impact came with the development of our Interstate system. During his time in Germany, President Eisenhower was exceedingly impressed with the Autobahn Highway. He felt a similar system would be imperative to the future defense of the United States and consequently, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was passed. But the impacts of such a system had more effects than those related to defense and disaster relief. In addition to effects on tourism, culture, and even crime, the creation of interstates have had long-term effects on food. Before World War II, a trip from my house to central California could take weeks – maybe a month with my sense of direction! Today, a truck can drive from California to Appalachia in 3 days. Whereas in the past, such a thing would be impossible, today it is commonplace. But the vegetables withstanding such a journey would have to change, both genetically and chemically to accommodate such a feat...
The Agriculture Department has tracked levels of 13 major nutrients in fruits and vegetables from 1950 to 1999 and found, six noticeable declines -- protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin and vitamin C. The declines ranged from 6 percent; for protein, 15 percent for iron, 20 percent for vitamin C, and 38 percent for riboflavin. This is just one of many, many studies yielding similar results. (It’s happening in the UK as well). So, on one hand, while it is now possible to enjoy California oranges year-round in West Virginia, or strawberries in the dead of winter – they are not as nutritious as they once were – or could be.
Is it Time to Bring Back the Victory Garden?
I think so. While nutrition is diminishing, rising gas prices are in turn, raising the cost of our produce so – in effect, we’re paying more for less. (But I bet you don’t need this blog to tell you that!). That said, there are more reasons than just practical ones to grow your own heirloom veggies.
- They’re FUN!! And they will change everything you thought you knew about vegetables. After exploring one heirloom catalog - you’ll find that carrots are purple, zucchinis are round, watermelons have stars and moons, peppers are chocolate, and the best tomatoes in the world – are black.
- They really do taste better. The Black Prince tomato is the best tomato I’ve ever had. I would bet they're higher in Vitamin C and lycopene too.
- They’re environmentally significant. Biodiversity of plants (like animals) is decreasing. There are actually seed banks and non-profits (like Seedsavers) that exist just to preserve and propagate heirloom seeds. You can purchase many of these varieties from a catalog. But some heirlooms are so old, and so rare - they are a part of history that may only be in the possession of a few individuals.
- They're personal. John Ott and his wife left their home in Bavaria in the year 1867 and set sail for America. The Otts had few belongings, and spoke rudimentary English, but stowed with them two seeds to comfort them and remind them of their ancestral land. One was the German Pink tomato. The other was "Grandpa Ott's" Morning Glory. Before John Ott died, he passed the seeds onto his grand-daughter Diane Whealey, who as it turned out - started the SeedSavers Exchange. Had John died before, these heirloom plants would have been almost certainly lost in time.
- "Radiator" Charlie Byles bred the "Mortgage Lifter tomato" in his own garden in the 1940s. It turned out to be such a fantastic tomato, it became known nation-wide and he paid off his mortgage with it. "Radiator Charlie" was from Logan, WV.
- Some history buffs even raise whole gardens that reflect "1920s home gardens" or replicas of victory gardens of the World Wars.
- They have stood the test of time. But you should know, they haven't been subjected to modern-day growing techniques designed for disease resistance or very long-term freshness.
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