Don't be fooled by seed packets!

Over the past year or two, I've noticed seed packets displaying ORGANIC on the front. Who cares? I think it is an effort to fool or confuse new gardeners and people who want seeds in their preparedness supplies. First, the term ORGANIC is not well defined legally.  Second, where it is defined, it has to do with HOW the 'plants' that produced the seed are grown. The immediate growing conditions and environment -- no pesticides or use of only natural fertilizers. It has nothing to do with the level of hybridization of the seed itself.  An organic seed can be so hybridized that seeds from their fruit are sterile, and it can still be sold as 'organic.'  These could also be seeds for genetically modified plants.

Most people who want to save seeds from their produce want HEIRLOOM seeds. These are seeds that have experienced minimal hybridization and bear seeds that are fertile and will produce fruit or vegetables similar to the ones of the mother plant. An HEIRLOOM tomato can be grown to maturity and the seeds will produce plants with the same type of tomato, unto multiple generations as long as the seeds are pollinated by a similar heirloom tomato.