Thanks so much for that list. I’m finding more and more research questioning the advisability of eating GMO. Since the labels aren’t required on food, that’s one reason why I prefer to grow my own.
Even if it was safe, I’d still grow heirloom, because I object to a company owning the food supply.
I grew ‘Fast Lady Northern Southern’ blackeyed peas last year from caroldeppe.com Wow. We will definitely grow those this year. They made with a quickness and were NOT full of all the (snake infested!) runners that creep everywhere like most blackeyed peas. I’ll probably grow 2 or 3 times as many this year as we’ve already run out of what I grew in ‘16.
I think a good balance is to grow both +Heirlooms+ (known for sustainability, known history) and +Hybrids+ (developed for disease resistance, greater productivity,and particular habit {bush vs sprawling}.
Also, this is the first year that I am planning on a 'guerilla garden' (camouflaged in wide open spaces), on State land, not owned by me.
A "prepper garden" if you will, where plants serve a duo function in their natural habitat, but don't immediately look like what they are (ie: Jerusalem artichokes, walking onions, purple Cherokee tomatoes, garlic chives, etc.)
Unfortunately, seed and tubers wont be available until late summer/ early fall, and due to the condition of the soil,
it will have to be heavily composted, while trying to have that 'wild' look.
Watering during times of drought will be a pain, and inconvenient, so soil and sub-soil amendments and preparation is essential.
Results of the 'guerilla garden' won't be available until next Spring.
Just remember the rules of horticulture :
(#1)Rotate your crops / keep a garden guide cartoon as reference to where crops were, and next where they should go.
(#2)Be aware of family types in the rotation since repetition breeds disease likelihood or insect pests :
(solanacious plants: includes potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants,etc.)
(cole crops/Brassicas :Cabbage, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, Bok Choy, etc.)
(#3)Healthy soil generally makes for healthy crops, especially in rotation, maximizing fertility usage.
(#4) A good general use (N/P/K) fertilizer is 15-15-15
If you intend to keep seeds, try to keep 200 yard distance between hybrids and heirlooms , so as to NOT CROSS-POLLINATE ;
bees work flowers without benefit of a compass.
“Even if it was safe, I’d still grow heirloom, because I object to a company owning the food supply.”
Ain’t that the truth! That concept makes me as angry as the big profile items affecting our country (of which I shall not speak on this great thread)