Team Heirloom or Team Hybrid?

This question has been as hotly debated as any political issue, but it certainly doesn't have to be. There's room for both here on ATP! I'm sure most of us can say that we are Team Both, but let's dig in and see which is truly favored in our own gardens.

First up- Team Hybrid. A hybrid can produce a more uniform product, sometimes with higher yields. If you've grown one Better Boy tomato, you know exactly what to expect and when to expect it. Hybrids are bred for commercial growers in mind, with crop yields, durability, uniformity, and disease resistance in mind. All of these can be an advantage to the home grower as well. In addition, hybrid seeds and plants are usually easy to come by, thereby making availability a snap.

Next up: Team Heirloom. Not only do these varieties enjoy a rich cultural past (often with a great story behind each variety), they are also popular today. Exactly the opposite of the hybrid market, the heirloom growers enjoy the vast diversity available for each food type. These plants are not bred for the convenience of the grower, and have almost always maintained their superior taste and nutritional value. The seeds may be slightly more difficult to procure from a retail source, but if proper seed purity growing is followed, the gardener can save their own seed year after year.

Share with us: Team Hybrid or Team Heirloom?