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 Hybrid
seeds, also called F1 hybrids, are developed by plant breeders
targeting specific characteristics like disease resistance,
increased fruit production, or flower color. F1 hybrids are a result
of crossing two plants with specific characteristics to create a
third variety. If youre looking for better storage life, increased
production, or other plant characteristics, hybrid seed selection is
the best choice.
When it comes to saving hybrid seeds from year to year, seed saved
from a hybrid will not produce the same plant it came from, it will
produce one of the parent plants. For this reason, hybrid seed must
be purchased yearly.
Open-pollinated or true-to-type seeds are naturally created from
other flowers or vegetables due to self- or cross-pollination.
Cross-pollination is a result of wind, rain, or natural pollinators
like bees, moths, birds, and bats. This type of seed can include
field and sweet corn, pumpkins, small grains, and popcorn.
With self-pollination, the structure of the flower allows for
fertilization before it opens. While open-pollinated varieties grow
true-to-type each year, the seed is genetically diverse, meaning
there can be a lot of variation in plants and yield. Since the
beginning of agriculture, people have been selecting and saving
seeds for qualities like flavor, heat or cold tolerance, growth
habit, and uniformity. Examples include beans, broccoli, cabbage,
carrots, onions, and peppers, to name a few.
Heirloom seeds are usually open-pollinated. The difference is that
the seeds have been passed down from gardener to gardener for more
than 50 years.
Most heirloom seeds are organically grown. The heirloom label or
logo does not guarantee that the seeds are organic or that no
chemicals were used during the cultivation of the seed. If this is a
concern, select seeds with an organic label.
With a better understanding of the seed packet information, you can
start selecting seeds for your garden with more confidence and an
added measure of a successful season.
Lets look at how this information is located on a seed packet. Its
important to note that not every seed packet has the same
information in the same location. [to top of second
column]
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Seed packet front
The front of the seed packet is where you will find information
about the seeds in the package and the plant they will grow
into.
Name of the company
Type of plant
Variety of plant including genus and specific epithet
Price and weight of seed (grams or ounces)
Annual, light requirements, and sowing requirements
Description of the plant seeds contained in the packet
This logo indicated this seed is USDA Organic
Image of plant Seed
packet back
The back of the seed packet is where specific information about the
seed is contained. The information listed is important and should be
followed for the best growth results.
Additional detailed information about the plant, usage, locations,
planting site choice (bed, container), and estimation of the total
area seed will cover.
Sowing instructions for starting seed inside or outside,
successive sowing, and transplanting temperatures.
Company name, address, and website. Additional information
includes open pollination and untreated seed statements. Logos for
Certified Organic and Non-GMO Verified.
Lot Number, growing year seed was packaged for, and sell-by date.
Plant Stake Information: Plant name, drawing of a seedling, days
to emergence, seed depth, seed spacing, row spacing, thinning
information, and planting date.
[Author: Mary Fischer, University of
Illinois Extension Educator, Horticulture]
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