Every seed you plant is a GMO (genetically modified organism), including heirloom and organic seeds.
Given the current controversy over GMO seeds, you should be surprised. I was.
The reason seeds are misidentified is that a hastily created label was created for genetically engineered ones—those that are genetically altered like corn, soy and cucumbers seeds that grow into plants unaffected by pesticides, herbicides and other adverse conditions such as drought.
Read Next
GMO seeds, most people believe, are genetically modified with genes from fish, herbicide-resistant proteins and other chemicals, rather than DNA from another plant.
GMO, in fact, refers to a seed or plant that has different DNA than its parent. Changes can be made by accidental cross-pollination, hybrid breeding or traditional breeding done for centuries by farmers everywhere.
All these seeds are GMOs, heirlooms I’ve saved from plants in my vegetable gardens.
., a 120-year-old company, decided to label their seeds as GE Free, to show the distinction between natural and hybrid crosses and those that are genetically engineered. Without true GMO plant crossings, heirlooms like Silver Queen corn or the fragrant Bourbon Rose would not exist, according to the Hart Seed Co.
My eyes were really opened after learning about these differences. I have regularly made crosses between varieties of tomatoes and peppers in my garden to create new and unusual offspring. Little did I know that I was actually creating GMO seeds.
Plant a Pollinator Garden
Honeybees, some butterflies and native bees are disappearing from our gardens, orchards and fields at an alarming rate. Pollinators like these are essential to harvests. That’s why theasks gardeners to plant more flowers that are the food source for butterflies and bees. Plant flowers in the vegetable garden, among fruit trees, in beds and in containers. Every flower helps. You can to go to a site that has more information and to sign a Pollinator Protection Pledge. Do your part and plant flowers in your yard.
Plant pollinator-attracting flowers in large blocks to lure a wide variety of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Tips
Plant flowers in clumps of at least four feet in diameter. Large clusters are more attractive to pollinators.
A succession of flowering plants that lasts from spring through fall will support a wide range of bee species.
Flowers of different shapes attract different types of pollinators.
Pesticides are a huge threat to pollinators. Keep your garden organic or use products that don’t harm pollinators.
Doreen G. Howard
ADVERTISEMENT
As for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Developed in 2000, it specifically uses the term living modified organism (not GMO) with its own agreed upon definition for LMO to take into consideration countries and languages whose meanings do not translate easily from one to the other. The document does not use the term genetically modified organism (GMO) anywhere in its 23 pages. And although I personal was not in attendance at the meeting in Canada, I do know those who were and have heard about many discussions concerning the choice of wording for the protocol. Please do not undermine their hard work by misrepresenting their stated goals. Wikipedia also notes that the definition is similar - not the same.
Many flowers have ways of attracting pollinators from a distance. Their shapes, background colors, and fragrances bring the pollinator to the flower.Good information and tips shared, its very helpful, will keep these tips in my idea!
Why is Monsanto patenting seeds then. Seems like a lost cause agains the likes of Monsanto.
tomato plants have become vry confusing anymore. grew a 'pinkgirl' from previus yr plant and it grew, but never produced anything. the little yellow flowers bloomed, but no tomato. the silver queen cor grew nice last yr from seed I got at local nursery. if I use the seed from those plants this yr - do u think they will produce ears of corn, or are they another one-and-done plant?
Your tomato blossoms probably didn't set fruit, because last summer's heat killed the pollen. When nights are above 70F and days are over 90F, pollen becomes sterile. If you only planted Silver Queen corn and no other variety, the odds are your saved seed will grow true. If there were other corn varieties in the area, they probably crossed with Silver Queen. You might come up with something interesting, though!
I wanted to correct some of the specifics in your response.
In North Texas where I grow, I have plenty of fruit set at > 90 degrees daytime temp (which is typically from Jun through Sept and sometimes well into Oct). I do agree there is a point beyond which fruiting is not possible, but I think 90 is way to low. I typically don't see the mid-summer lull until temps are close or above 100 degrees. As soon as we get a few days below 100 (I am talking about 95+ still but < 100 peak daytime), I get a flush of fruit set. This is in a Southern facing full sun trellised raised bed. I bring that up to let you know the soil temps are also quite high during our summer.
Thanks
This is a great article, thanks for sharing! I got a hummingbird feeder, http://www.kinsmangarden.com/category/Hummingbird-Feeders for my garden. It looks nice and attracts all the right garden visitors!
Do not forget that the companies like Monsanto will be suing for their patented GMO or GE plants that invade others' farms. They probably will not sue the person with a garden full of heirloom plants.
