As spring rushes in and gardens begin to wake, it’s a moment to think about growing something exciting this season. Consider heirloom varieties. From vibrant flowers to flavorful fruits and vegetables, heirloom seeds bring history, resilience, and character into a small garden pot or plot.
What is an “Heirloom seed”?
Heirloom seeds are cultivated varieties passed down through generations, carefully selected for traits like flavor, color, and hardiness. Heirloom seeds grow “true to type,” meaning the plants you grow will closely resemble those from decades — or even from before the 1600s. Imagine planting the same type of tomato your great-great-grandmother once tended. Consider growing historical varieties like those Catharine Parr Traill cultivated, or adding a Jerusalem artichoke from Samuel de Champlain’s voyage. With heirlooms, you can enjoy the same rich taste and beauty. History lives in the plants we grow today.
Why Heirlooms Matter?
Before our modern industrial large-scale farming of a single crop (monocropping) took hold around 1945, heirlooms were the foundation of agriculture. Heirloom seeds preserve a wide genetic pool. They are plants selected to resist pests and diseases and to survive changing climates.
There’s also a flavor advantage. Many heirloom vegetables are prized for their superior taste and texture — qualities often sacrificed in commercial modern farming for uniformity, transportability, and shelf life. Growing a diverse range of heirloom vegetables, especially ones you won’t find in grocery stores, can enrich your lunch and your health.
Heirlooms That Thrive in BC Gardens
Kamloops gardeners can find local heirlooms suited to our conditions. British Columbia-based West Coast Seeds offers varieties cultivated for 50 years or more — some dating back to the 1700s.
From their collection, consider adding beauty with sweet peas or poppies. For vegetables, try a Lemon Cucumber, the striking Glass Gem corn, or compact Red Salad Bowl lettuce for smaller spaces or even pots.
If you’re hoping to grow something truly rare, Seeds of Diversity Canada connects everyday gardeners who are preserving and sharing more than 2,900 varieties of heritage plants — many of which you won’t find through any commercial seed company in North America. Their annual seed exchanges and Seedy Saturday events are treasure troves of unique, affordable $3.50 seed packets. For purchase, Canadian heirloom seed companies such as McKenzie Seeds, Richter’s Seeds, Salt Spring Seeds, Heirloom Seeds Canada, or the family-run William Dam Seeds offer a variety too. Down south, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers over 1,300 quirky varieties, and Seed Savers Exchange is an excellent resource for learning and connecting with a broader community of heirloom enthusiasts.
Growing for the Future
By planting heirloom seeds, you’re doing more than gardening—you’re helping preserve biodiversity. It’s estimated that around 75% of food crop varieties disappeared during the 20th century due to industrial agriculture.
Keeping heirloom varieties alive ensures a richer, tastier, more resilient food for generations to come.
This spring, consider planting a piece of history. By nurturing heirloom seeds, your garden helps sustain future generations — a meaningful way to celebrate the season and make a lasting impact.
Submitted by Sumer Seiki