They're the varieties our parents or grandparents grew and survived on. Their popularity prompted many seed companies to again offer them for sale. Common factors These varieties have certain things in common. Since they're all old, they don't have plant variety protection. So you can save seed without having to worry about paying a royalty.
Many modern varieties are hybrids.
They're great performers, but they have some drawbacks. If you save seed from hybrids, they won't produce the same plant as the one you got the seed from. Grow stories, not just plants Perhaps the best thing about heirloom varieties is the stories behind them. The grower named it that because when he pulled up at the courthouse square, a howling mob was ready to buy his corn. Watermelons come in many shapes and colors.