Choosing the best seed types to stockpile requires expert knowledge, and that’s what we address in this article.
Food is a dominant discourse when the focus is on prepping and for a good reason. The typical conversations are based on food items like beans, rice, canned goods & emergency ready-to-eat foods. While these are all great choices to keep for an emergency, the discussion has started including seed storage, too, as it should be.
But Why Seeds? Why Not Foods?
Before now, the recommendation was to stockpile foods that will last for at least three days when a disaster strikes. Then, the days were shifted to a week, two weeks before a month. Now, though, depending on where you read from, we are being advised to stockpile supplies that will last us for probably 5-10 years.
The keynote everyone is emphasizing is self-sufficiency. And while this makes sense, have you thought of how difficult it will be to stock foods for a family of 4 over two years? Do you have the facility to store such large foods? What if it becomes stretched to 5 years?
We need to understand now that whole foods are no longer the sole food items to stockpiles. Seeds have become included, too, for obvious reasons. They are easier to store & carry about. You could store foods that will last a family of 5 for ten years in just five containers.
3 Best Seed Types to Stockpile
Heirloom Seeds
These are plant seeds that have been in existence for a very long time without undergoing any alteration. These seeds produce crops with the features that we typically find normal & desirable. When you sow these seeds & work appropriately on them, you get good plants that will give forth to more seeds to be planted. The general belief is that heirloom seeds are the healthiest seeds for vegetables & seeds. According to most people, they are natural seeds.
Hybrid Seeds
These are the product of cross-pollinating two plants possessing desirable characteristics. This process has to be continued until the grower is satisfied with the traits of the new plant. The traits that the grower may be desiring include larger flowers or leaves, better crop yield, color, plant size & the ability to resist certain elements, such as insects, drought & temperature.
Note that it may take years of growing to get a perfect hybrid. But when it is obtained and used for generations without any change, it may be classified as an heirloom.
Genetically Modified Seeds (GMO)
To many, these are the least desirable seeds, and for a good reason. These seeds are created in the lab & have their genetic structure reconfigured. To be specific, a GMO seed is formed when a gene is taken from a living organism & inserted into a seed’s genes.
Companies mainly use these seeds for better growth or special hybrid qualities. Quite similar to our second seed type, but the process isn’t natural.
Concluding the Best Seed Types to Stockpile
Stockpiling seeds is a pertinent thing to do in this era. We are unsure of disasters now & preparing ahead is the key. Shop for any of the best seed types to stockpile discussed above & store appropriately. It is recommended that you make your purchases from the local farmers, meanwhile.