Garden Corner - F.A.Q.

Question:
What is Cross-Pollination?

Answer:
In basic terms, it is when one plant is pollinated with pollen from another plant. The result, seeds with characteristics from both plants.

NOTE: Never grow Sweet Peppers in the same garden as Hot Peppers. Hot Peppers are dominant and will cross-pollinate with the sweet.

Question:
What are Non-Hybrid seeds?

Answer:
Non-Hybrid seeds are open-pollinating seeds that grow and reproduce true to variety. Our ancestors used these type of seeds for generations as they were very reliable and productive. Modern agricultural methods have produced hybrid or cross pollinated varieties of seeds. When these specialized seeds are collected and replanted, they do not reproduce true to variety and are sometimes sterile. 100% Non Hybrid seeds allow the self reliant gardener the opportunity to collect seed from his mature plants and save for next season. This process becomes a perpetual garden and becomes your life-time supply of garden seed. Think of the money you can save by buying seed just once.

Question:
What are Hybrid Seeds?

Answer:
Hybrid seeds have been genetically altered or cross-pollinated to resist certain types of plant diseases or produce a more attractive uniform looking fruit. The major drawback to hybrid seeds is the need to purchase new fresh seed every year since the altered plants cannot reproduce seed that is true to the parent plant or the fruit of the hybrid variety may be totally sterile, not reproducing any plant whatsoever. To use an analogy, many hybrid seeds are like crossing a horse with a donkey. You get a mule which is sterile and can't reproduce more mules.