What you need to know about heirloom, hybrid, GMO and organic seeds

You wouldn't know it by looking outside, but it's time to think about starting seeds indoors. Danielle Wangsness, Linn County Master Gardener intern, provides some pointers here:

     The thought of growing your own food from seeds can be overwhelming but it is not nearly as hard as one imagines.  Below are a few steps to help guide you through the seed selection process after receiving all those catalogs in the mail.

    First, you need to determine how much space and time you have

 available.  If you have never planted a garden before start small!  Pick out a few vegetables or herbs you use often in your cooking.  If you live in an apartment, condo or a house with limited space you can still grow your favorite veggies in containers.  One of the biggest beginner mistakes is starting too big and not being able to keep up with the garden.

   Next, you will need to decide what type of seeds you want.  Heirloom, hybrid, GMO and organic are a few terms you will notice when looking through seed catalogs.  You will need to decide what type of seeds you want to plant. 

   Heirloom seeds are open pollinated and that means that the plant is capable of producing seeds that will make plants identical to the parent one.  Heirloom varieties are seeds that have been passed down for many generations and these varieties cannot be manipulated by breeders.  If you plan on saving your seeds this is the variety you will want to buy since they will continue to produce the same plant as the generation before.

    Hybrid seeds will usually have an f1 or f2 by the name and these seeds have been cross pollinated by two different plants to create the best traits from each parent plant.  Hybrids are bred to have a variety of traits such as disease resistance, early maturation, flavor and productivity.

    GMO stands for genetically modified organisms.  These seeds have been genetically altered using molecular genetics techniques such as gene cloning and protein engineering.

    Organic seeds can come in either the heirloom or hybrid varieties.  With the organic label it means the seeds have not been sprayed with antifungal and pesticides.

Finally, you will need to purchase your seeds.  Make sure to order your seeds early.  Many vegetable seeds need to be started early such as peppers and tomatoes.  This will allow for you to have plenty of time to start those seeds so they will be ready to transplant in spring.  Ordering early also will ensure that you get the seed varieties you want.  Many popular varieties will sell out fast.  Always check the dates on the seed packets before planting and keep your leftover seed packets in a cool dark location, such as the freezer.  Many seeds will last for 3 years after the purchase date.  If you don't want to fuss with leftover seeds you could order with a friend and spilt the cost.  Happy plantings!