Heirloom Seeds For Long-Term Survival and Self-Sufficiency

 Heirloom seeds, you have probably heard them before. No, they are not the seeds passed by your great-grandmother to your mother in a jewelry box. But close enough, these seeds are really gems to have.

Heirloom seeds, sometimes referred to as emergency or survival seeds, are often included in emergency and disaster stockpiles. These type of seeds are the best recommended seeds for a survival garden. Heirloom are non-hybrid seeds and are not chemically-treated. Heirlooms or non-hybrid seeds are often packaged with planting instructions.

Disaster and emergency preparedness is not only about thinking the immediate effects of disasters on our lives and our preparation for it. Usually, we think about food and water storage, and having enough supplies which can help us alive in the first 3 days after disaster.

Including heirloom seeds in our disaster preparedness plans takes our preparedness into another level. Having heirloom seeds in our stockpile means we are preparing for long-term survival.

What are Non-Hybrid (Heirloom) vs Hybrid (GMO) Seeds?

Hybrid seeds are often deemed to be superior seeds, since they are known to be more resistant to diseases and can yield more produce. However, since they are hand-pollinated, saving a seed from hybrid plants may not necessarily mean you are saving the same characteristic of the plants in the seed.

GMO or Genetically Modified Organism seeds have altered DNA to make or transform them in a super seed. However, since they are genetically and chemically altered, they tend to leave harmful effects on the body. GMO and hybrid seeds are often criticized for their possible harmful effects on other beneficial insects, organisms and on the human body. In fact, GMO seeds can trigger more allergic reactions and are often questioned for causing cancers and tumors.

Although GMO and hybrid seeds are designed to last or survive different and extreme weather conditions, its harmful effects on humans and on the ecosystem defeats the purpose of sustainability and long-term survival.

With all of these harmful effects, the best option would be to result to heirloom seeds. These heirloom seeds are not genetically or chemically modified and are exposed to natural and open pollination, like wind and insect pollination.

Heirloom seeds guarantee that the same type of vegetable or produce will be yielded every year. Heirloom seeds are even recognized to produce vegetables and fruits with better flavor. Heirloom seeds provide the sustainability that we need.

How Do You Store and Maintain Emergency Seeds?

More and more people are understanding the importance of being prepared for emergency and disaster situations in the future. However, not only should we prepare for short-term survival, which is why emergency seeds should be included in our disaster plans.

When storing emergency or survival seeds, you just don't grab a seed can from a shelf and store it in your pantry. It is important to get non-hybrid or heirloom seeds for your seed storage. Although, non-hybrid and GMO seeds grow faster there are questions on their safety and effects on human body.

Storing your heirloom or non-hybrid seeds are pretty simple. The seeds need to be stored in a cool, dark and dry place. Emergency seeds last longer when the storage area are darker, cooler and dryer. When placed inside containers, the containers should be moisture-proof. To store your seeds for more 10 years, you can sun-dry them or use a food dehydrator to remove at least 8% of the moisture our of the seed.

Being emergency prepared is not only about thinking our immediate future, but also preparing for long-term survival https://yummytastefood.com/. A survival or emergency garden, will however, depend on the quality of seeds that we plant.