Since I have virtually no experience with growing things, I am concerned that heirlooms will be harder to grow. I read that somewhere, at least. So I just need to know from people who have actually grown them if that is true and if not, what are good varieties to grow. Or even for "regular" types of veggies, I would like to get tips on high-yielding, easy-to-grow varieties that are not too hybridized. Thanks

no not harder to grow at all .. in some respects they are quite a bit more hardy as they havent been (in some cases) had certain traits bred out of them to produce other more reliable traits at the expense of others

just keep on top keeping the soil rich (fertilizing) , well mulched (weeding and to prevent competitive weeds) , learn about companion planting (symbiosis), polinating and pruning (to produce maximum yield)



...Jodi, the banana eating buddhist

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't know what exactly was the caveat--something related to ease of growing but it may have been the risk of insect infestation.

companion planting really helps with that .. also attracting beneficial insects and birds

i havent ever noticed a difference between a heirloom lettuce say getting got by slugs or bugs any more or less than a convential lettuce ... if the bugs an slugs are there .. they're there companion planting and pest deteral helps with that for sure

my roses (i have about 20 bushes scattered around all got horrible aphids and a weird leaf blight for a couple of years ... i planted garlic chives and leeks all around them and now they thrive

...Jodi, the banana eating buddhist

The varieties you want to try really depend on where you're located. Some varieties handle the cold better, some the heat, it really depends.

Take a good look at your seed catalog and they'll usually have notes about the strengths of that particular variety. It'll usually tell you if that variety is high yielding, slow to bolt, etc.

PatchMomma Wrote:
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> The varieties you want to try really depend on
> where you're located. Some varieties handle the
> cold better, some the heat, it really depends.
>
> Take a good look at your seed catalog and they'll
> usually have notes about the strengths of that
> particular variety. It'll usually tell you if
> that variety is high yielding, slow to bolt, etc.

I had SO much fun with my catalog in the spring! I loved looking at all the "weird" heirlooms and fantasizing buying certain ones. At the end of the day, I didn't get my garden plot until late spring so I had to scramble and buy at local stores. The heirloom seeds I know for sure are the lemon cucumbers. I planted them from seed and you should see how they have grown. Interesting: I also planted a regular variety of pickles and they are only about a third of the growth of the organic heirloom cukes!

I'm growing heirloom tomatoes, mostly in my sister's garden because my property is surrounded by Black walnut trees (they exude 'juglone' which is poison to a lot of plants). I put a few in my own garden this year. They've gone through a lot of stress but are now fruiting & have new growth. My favourite heirloom tomatoes so far are 'Cherokee Purple' and 'Black Giant'. Both have amazing flavour!

janeisgreen Wrote:
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> I'm growing heirloom tomatoes, mostly in my
> sister's garden because my property is surrounded
> by Black walnut trees (they exude 'juglone' which
> is poison to a lot of plants). I put a few in my
> own garden this year. They've gone through a lot
> of stress but are now fruiting & have new growth.
> My favourite heirloom tomatoes so far are
> 'Cherokee Purple' and 'Black Giant'. Both have
> amazing flavour!

I take it by your spelling that you are from Canada (or England possibly)? When did you plant? I have a few tomato plants (none heirloom) that have been fruiting very slowly but I planted late. My heirloom cukes have not made their appearance yet but my regular pickles did! I have never done this before so perhaps there are differences in maturity rates? Any feedback would be mucho helpful!