Check our latest special: HEIRLOOM SEEDS

■ Heirloom seeds refers to seeds that are worth saving, to be passed on to the next generation, in just the same way that heirlooms of any type are passed on. Heirloom seeds are the originals, they grow true to form and have not been selected for specific qualities or hand-pollinated, as hybrid seeds are. Heirloom seeds are fertile when harvested from the plant (unlike many hybrid seeds).

■ Heirloom seeds also have a better flavour, texture, colour, etc., than hybrid varieties. This depends on the plant type and, on occasion, subjective interpretations. However, many people do find that some crops, such as tomatoes, taste far better when grown from heirloom seeds in gardens or small farming operations than from the supermarket varieties grown on a large scale.

■ Heirloom seeds tend to be non-treated, non-GMO and open pollinated (meaning they come back true to type).