What Does Heirloom Have To Do With Tomato Plants?
SO WHAT EXACLTY IS AN HEIRLOOM TOMATO?
One definition of heirloom is as follows – “A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations.”
A true heirloom tomato plant is similar to the above definition. The seeds have been passed down through many generations, perhaps because of a particular characteristic or taste. Heirloom tomato plants are becoming increasingly popular amongst gardeners these days for a variety of different reasons, the main one being the general consensus that heirloom varieties taste better than other commercially available plants.
Heirloom tomatoes tend to be fairly resistant to disease, perhaps due to their organic evolution. There is also much talk about genetically modified food in contemporary society and many share the desire to return to the land and grow natural produce. The heath benefits of organic growing are only just beginning to spread to the wider public. If you have tasted a fresh, juicy tomato straight from the vine, you will understand why!
FOUR CATEGORIES OF HEIRLOOM PLANTS
Two tomato experts, Craig LeHoullier and Carolyn Male, have classified heirloom tomato plants into four categories. These different heirloom categories are widely accepted now, so I shall introduce them here.
The commercial heirloom tomato – These are open pollinated tomato varieties that are more than 40-50 years old. They were introduced around 1940, by seed companies.
The family heirloom tomato - Special tomato varieties that have been passed down through generations in one family.
The created heirloom tomato – Is a tomato plant that has been cross pollinated by two other tomato plants. The parents can either be two heirlooms, or a heirloom and a hybrid. Through successive generations the grower will weed out the unwanted characteristics, while retaining the desired ones.
The mystery heirloom tomato –These tomatoes are a product of natural cross-pollination from other heirloom tomato varieties. Most heirloom varieties have originated in this manner, and it can produce some of the quirkiest tomatoes around!
PROTECT THE HEIRLOOM!
Many varieties of heirloom tomatoes have been lost over the last 40-50 years, with the onslaught of industrialization and commercialization. Independent family farms have given way to large, single-crop farming giants, geared towards profit. During this process, many unique tomato plants have been lost, and replaced by only a handful of hybridized varieties, which are grown for their commercial qualities, not for their special characteristics. Because of this, much of the genetic diversity has been lost and will continue to be depleted, unless more people help protect and replenish it. There are many advantages to growing unique, genetically diversified crops. They have enhanced resistance to diseases and pests, adapt to growing conditions naturally, and most importantly, taste magnificent!
You can be part of the solution simply by planting a heirloom variety. The responsibility lies with each individual to make their own choice as to how they will help shape the world we live in. If you truly want to experience that old-fashioned tomato flavor and add something special to this earth, then plant some heirloom varieties in your garden this season, you will not be disappointed!
