From Fresh Seeds to Shades of Purple, What’s In Your Garden?

Today I want to share with you what I think is most important activity we could partake in this next week: Planting your garden! Some of you may have limited space or live in an apartment, so container gardening is a good alternative option. A garden is nothing without seeds and there are 3 types of seeds/plants available.

I recommend growing only heirloom seeds and plants. Heirlooms come from seeds that have been handed down for generations in a particular region, and have been hand selected for a special trait. Heirloom vegetables are open-pollinated which means they are pollinated by insects or wind without human intervention. Besides their rich history, heirlooms are organic.

Heirloom plants have greater flavor and are more sustainable. I like to use heirlooms because I feel I am carrying on the seeds of our ancestors. Who wouldn’t want that feeling?

Hybrid plants are created when plant breeders intentionally cross-pollinate two different varieties of a plant. Hybrids usually require less care, are larger, and more uniform but lack the flavor of heirloom varieties.

The third type is GMO plants, which I do not recommend. GMO “genetically modified organisms” is a result of genetic engineering. This is a process during which the plant DNA is altered by inserting genes from another species. This is not similar to cross breeding, as crossbreeding is a natural process.

Heirloom plants and seeds can be purchased locally at Windy Acres Farm, Masters Organic Farms, and Little Buck Organics.

I like to purchase my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Their website is www.rareseeds.com. They have seeds from around the world. It is fun choosing what to grow in your garden that has also grown in Tuscany Italy. It is like taking a journey to a foreign land without leaving your backyard!

This year while growing your garden include a rainbow of colors. Have you grown purple plants? There are purple carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes! Every time I grow carrot seeds and potatoes, I have vivid memories of how my daughter, Kali would meticulously plant the seeds in the earth and couldn’t wait to dig up the carrots and potatoes. I think what is most exciting is that those foods are a mystery because they are growing underground.

The purple pigment is rich in anthocyanin. It has been found that Anthocyanin rich foods aid in healthy aging, prevent and fight certain cancers, and protect against heart disease. These foods are also known to keep memory function intact.

Include these purple foods in your diet 4-5 times a week along with greens, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes. Don’t forget to plant a little cheer, a sunflower!

I look forward to getting to know you and your garden! Please checkout our website and I hope to see you at one of our nutrition and lifestyle classes. I also offer nutrition counseling and education. Don’t forget to Join Our Email List.

Happy Spring!

Georgia Saler Histon RDN