• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Farmer's Lamp

Trusted resource for anyone who wants to live a more sustainable lifestyle as a backyard homesteader. You can learn how to cook from scratch, have a thriving garden and preserve the harvest, have happy, healthy poultry flocks and livestock, and live a more naturally healthy life!

  • Welcome –>
    • SHOP
    • TFL Library
    • Join TFL Community
    • About Us
    • Latest Articles
  • Poultry
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Sustainable Living
  • TFL HUMIX Channel

The Difference Between GMO Seeds and Heirloom Garden Seeds

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn More

December 23, 2014 by Rhonda 5 Comments

A Seed is a Seed is a Seed…Right? Wrong!  All garden seeds are not created equal. I know there are many people who are unaware of the difference between GMO and heirloom garden seeds.  Many people choose not to listen, not to ask questions, and not to put in the time for research. Learning the difference between them can be critical to the continued food supply from your garden.

man looking at seeds to see the difference

Since you’re reading this, you’re one of those who educate themselves about the GMO issue, organic gardening, and providing some of, if not most everything your family eats.

When you’re first learning about GMO crops and how they’re different from heirloom garden seeds, all the possibilities and information may be scary. We’re here to help.

You can read more about GMO issues on TFL.

Remember to look at the task you have at hand today, one step at a time. Keep your goals in mind. Stay flexible and willing to adjust your dreams and your plans to achieve the goal. The larger picture will come into being a little at a time.  When my boys were young we had a saying: “By the yard it’s hard, by the inch it’s a cinch!”

seeds of various vegetable in bags

GMO Seeds vs Heirloom Garden Seeds

Years ago it didn’t matter so much where you bought your seeds. A seed was a seed. Most of the old-timers saved them from their garden or bartered their seeds with neighbors. They purchased very little. We took this lesson from our grandparents to heart and practice.

Today, garden seeds are one of, if not the most important decision a gardener makes.

Since the Garden of Eden, we’ve known fruits and veggies are good for us.  We’ve never been told, “Don’t eat too many tomatoes,” or  “Don’t have more than one apple a day”.

Now we have big government and companies like Monsanto (which is the largest of the companies responsible for GMO’s; owning 90% of the seeds) “improving” on the heirloom seeds.

There is not really enough time and space to discuss this issue in full here in this article. We have articles on TFL for you to read and  Dr. Jeffrey Smith has a movie I would DEFINITELY suggest ordering, Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives.  We did and have invited our friends and family to watch it with us. 

seeds in jars and envelopes

What are GMO Seeds?

GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds, also called genetically engineered seeds, have names that I find interesting. Even their names indicate an unnatural thing. Let me try to simplify this complex issue. 

Unlike hybrids, GMO seeds are created in a lab. Scientists, not farmers, use technical processes like gene splicing. They inject foreign genetic material of one species into the DNA of an unrelated species.

Mixing the DNA of plants, animals, bacteria, herbicides, and/or pesticides. They create combinations that would never happen in nature.

Remember the famous GM tomato spliced with fish and herbicides. Yep, the fish had anti-freeze properties. They wanted the tomato to be frost resistant.

So they injected the fish DNA into the tomato. They added some herbicide, hoping the bugs wouldn’t eat it.  Sounds like it would be OK?  But DNA alteration, especially between unrelated species, is unpredictable at best. 

As a home gardener, you should be aware that you CAN NOT save GMO seeds to reuse in your garden. It is illegal. Most of them won’t reproduce because of the genetic changes but this doesn’t matter because

seeds in clear seed envelopes

What are heirloom garden seeds?

An heirloom garden seed is one that is traceable through generations. They are traced to a time before pesticides and herbicides were used, especially by family farms. 

You may be thinking: “You can’t know where that seed came from years and years ago.” Well, you’re right, I can’t. This is the main reason we recommend saving your own seed.

The best way to get heirloom garden seeds is to find a seed company you trust. This may take some trial and error but once you’ve found them, you can start building a relationship that will last for years to come.

If we have to buy seeds because of crop failure or to try something new, we have a few companies we support.

woman working in raised bed

Where To Purchase Heirloom Seeds

We only grow heirlooms on our farm and buy them as organic seeds whenever available. Besides being the healthiest, most natural way, this also enables us to save seeds from these plants for replanting year after year. 

They always produce the same healthy, hearty plant. This gives us a sustainable seed supply for our farmstead. 

Sifting through all the blah, blah, blah…yada, yada, yada…can be overwhelming, I remember. To help you avoid some of the trial and error, here are some companies we consider to be the best of the best.

Heirloom garden seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds/Rare Seeds

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

WoodPraireFarms

Wood Prairie Farm

Wrap Up

Now I am by no means saying these are all there is, nor am I saying these are the only good ones. These are the ones we have personal experience with and are willing to fully recommend and support.

When we order garden seeds, we most often order from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. However, we have ordered and will order again in the future from Wood Prairie Farms and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

We identified with their principles of business, concerns, and goals. As always, I am careful about what and who I recommend to you because any good relationship is based on trust.

For more information on seed saving, you can read about it on TFL.

As always, we’re here to help.

man looking at garden seeds envelopes to see the differences

Filed Under: Organic Gardening Tagged With: gmo seeds, gmos, non-gmo, seeds

About Rhonda

Rhonda Crank – Founder of The Farmer’s Lamp
I’m Rhonda, a Southern-born and raised farm girl from the Deep South with over 45 years of homesteading experience. With 7 generations of farmers behind us, The Farmer’s Lamp embraces the full spectrum of homesteading—gardening, raising chickens, and more. We share Southern style from-scratch recipes, Einkorn recipes, and more, all while staying true to organic, non-GMO principles. Our approach blends the time-honored wisdom of our grandparents with a touch of modern ingenuity, keeping these traditions alive and thriving.

Notable Roles: Chief Editor of Homesteading Today Magazine, Author, and Contributor to Countryside Magazine, Backyard Poultry Magazine, Homestead Livestock Summit, and Grit Magazine.

Previous Post: « How to Tell If An Egg Is Bad or Good
Next Post: About Egg Washing and Storage: Your Questions Answered »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 23, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    Thank you for posting this! I found it in my Bloglovin’ newsfeed. I AM one of those who is overwhelmed with the GMO and whole organic gardening, however, I will use information like this from people like you who have done the research for my gardening experience this year. Thanks again!!

    Reply
    • Rhonda says

      January 23, 2015 at 3:14 pm

      Kim, I am so glad you are doing your research and that I have been of some help. If you have any questions or run in to anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I will do all I can to help you.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Gardening for Beginners- Everything You Need to Know - My Homestead Life says:
    July 30, 2022 at 5:50 pm

    […] All Seeds Are Not Created Equal […]

    Reply
  2. Recently 11 - Good Tydings of Joy says:
    June 4, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    […] All Gardening seeds are not created equal. I’ve been researching gardening a lot as I can have a garden at our new house! […]

    Reply
  3. GMO Seeds Vs Hybrid Seeds ~ says:
    September 9, 2015 at 10:50 am

    […] All Garden Seeds Are Not Created Equal […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Recipe




Primary Sidebar

Old-time Wisdom for Sustainable Living Today

Welcome! The Farmer’s Lamp is about shining a light on DIY gardening, poultry, harvest, cooking from scratch, and food preservation—from backyard farm to homesteading.

Get practical how-to tips and down-to-earth wisdom from community elders and trusted experts to support your sustainable living lifestyle and journey.

Our goal is to be an encouraging, practical resource for all those seeking more sustainable living. Learn About Us

  • Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 · Niche Theme

Terms and Conditions