Heritage plants
Before the industrialization of agriculture, a much wider variety of plant foods were grown for human consumption, largely due to
farmers and gardeners saving seeds and cuttings for future planting. In the 21st century, numerous community groups all over the
world are working to preserve historic varieties to make a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers available again
to the home gardener, by renovating old orchards, sourcing historic fruit varieties, engaging in seed swaps, and encouraging
community participation.As the effects of climate change intensify and the world population rises, more attention is being put on
heirloom plants as a way to restore genetic diversity and feed a growing population while safeguarding the food supply of diverse
regions. Specific heirloom plants are often selected, saved, and planted again because of their superior performance in a
particular locality. Over many crop cycles these plants develop unique adaptive qualities to their environment, which empowers
local communities and can be vital to maintaining the genetic resources of the world.
Biodiversity through heritage or heirloom varities is important. If a crop fails in a monoculture, we rely on agricultural
diversity to replant the land with something new. If a wheat crop is destroyed by a pest we may plant a hardier variety of wheat
the next year, relying on intraspecific diversity. We may forgo wheat production in that area and plant a different species
altogether, relying on interspecific diversity. Even an agricultural society that primarily grows monocultures relies on
biodiversity at some point.
Heritage varities
You may think that constraining yourself to historical gardening means you will miss out on many popular modern plants. The truth
is that the historical diet may have been more varied than you think. These are some plants that were being cultivated, imported
or foraged in Scandinavia between the Bronze Age and late Viking Age.
🥕 Carrot
🥬 Celery
🌿 Dill
🌾 Wheat
🍇 Grapes
🍏 Apples
🌰 Nuts
🧅 Onions
What heritage variety should I plant?
There are many factors to consider when thinking about what heritage varitey to introduce to your garden. However, fear not, our handy
tool will randomly select a variety for you to plant. Just click the button below and we will recommend you a heritage variety for you
to plant!
