Heirloomists? Us?
Michael Tortorello, who began writing about his rookie gardening experiences for the New York Times last year, is wondering if the rest of us are all "heirloomists."
Meaning, I think, "elitists."
He suggests that our insistence on heirloom vegetables over hybrids makes about as much sense as driving a 75-year-old automobile.
And, he says, they don't taste any better. (Wow. Do I disagree.)
And he quotes Burpee's George Ball, who has actually added more heirlooms to his catalog to keep up with customer demand, who says that the "anti-science credo" of heirloom purists "has hardened into a Luddite fundamentalism.”
I recognize the value of both.
Hybrid vegetable plants are more bountiful and more disease resistent. And if it weren't for their tough hides, we might not have any in winter because they'd never survive shipping.
But I like the idea that someone out there is preserving seeds from plants that our grandparents grew.
Comments
Heirlooms don't seem to enjoy my yard. What with GrandBoys and dogs, not to mention that my (so very slightly as not be almost not noticable) uphill neighbors seem to have rearranged their topography, causing some very wet spots in my yard! Perhaps there is just too much going on for heirlooms.
Posted by: Eve | March 29, 2011 3:26 PM
Nice post. I've been amazed at how people have taken offense to those of us who enjoy the what heirlooms bring. I don't see anyone putting hybrids down - just talking up the heirlooms that they enjoy. I guess I just don't see the discord. So, I thank you for this.
Heirlooms do very well for me, but then I pick the varieties that grow well in my area.
Chris McLaughlin
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables
Posted by: Chris McLaughlin | March 29, 2011 3:42 PM