Heirloom, Open-Pollinated and Hybrid

About the seeds we steward... 

H - Heirloom Seeds

Our Heirloom Seeds are hand-pollinated according to the guidelines outlined by the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE).  This is so we know the seeds will produce plants that retain the parents' characteristics.

OPH - Open Pollinated Heirloom

 Open Pollinated Heirloom seeds are from heirloom plants that have been isolated from other varieties of their species within a pre-determined distance.   Time, mechanical isolation and bagging techniques may have been used to assure the seeds reproduce true to their parents.

OP - Open Pollinated

Open Pollinated seeds have the potential for more genetic diversity - and even the extra productivity said to come with F1 Hybrids.  Plants within the same species and genus may be cross-pollinated by bees.  Our seeds are not “hybrid” in the sense of being produced through controlled pollination — often with highly inbred lines — by modern plant breeders.  Hybrids are typically developed for large-scale high input agricultural production systems.  In other words, we do not sell plants or seeds from F1 hybrids. However, natural hybridization — the crossing of genetically distinct parents, both within and between populations, varieties, and species — has been important in crop diversity throughout history.  It is a natural process, resulting from open-pollination, and one that farmers have often used to their advantage.    These we call Open Pollinated (OP).

Our Seeds
  • Have taken the Safe Seed Pledge to commit that they are not genetically modified.
  • Are committed to the  stewardship practices that we are committed to:  Organically gardened/farmed; using permaculture principles and ecologically protective policies.  To be frank, we don't ever use chemicals.  Period.  
  • We enrich the soil with compost.
As of March 2020 we have

H - Red Corn
H - Luffa
H - Ashwagandha
OP - Red Cherry Tomato (hardy and drought-tolerant)
$3.50/per pkg of 25 plus $5 shipping

To order, email: cynthiac@socalgardenhealth

Ashwagandha is also available through Restoration seeds, allowing for orders of many more quality varieties  to arrive at one time!
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