You will find many terms on the back of your seed packets and they can get a bit confusing. The type of seeds to purchase depends on individual goals and priorities. For instance, if the aim is to save seeds or grow an organic backyard garden, the selection of seeds will differ from those growing on a larger scale. Therefore, it’s essential to understand your gardening objectives before choosing the appropriate type of seed. There are several different types of vegetable seeds available, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular types of vegetable seeds, including hybrid, heirloom, non-GMO, organic, pelleted, and treated. Make sure to check out my Indoor Seed Starting Guide once you have made your selections!

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Hybrid

These are NOT GMO seeds! Hybrids are simply two varieties of seed that have been cross-bred to create a genetically unique plant. They have been bred to hold the most desirable features of that variety such as disease resistance, or higher yields. These are not going to be the best choice if you are planning on saving seeds, however, because the seeds you save will not produce the same hybrid as the year before.

Heirloom

Heirloom seeds have been passed down for generations and are known for their unique qualities. These seeds are open-pollinated, meaning they are pollinated naturally through wind, insects, etc. These seeds have not been cross-pollinated with any other variety for over 50 years, meaning they are true to the “parent” variety.

Open Pollinated

Open-pollinated seeds are similar to heirloom seeds in that they are pollinated naturally, without human intervention. However, they are not as old as heirloom seeds and are often more reliable and consistent in their growth and yields. Open-pollinated seeds are another great option for seed saving.

Non-GMO

If a seed is labeled as Non-GMO it is not necessarily organic. Like hybrids, Non-GMO seeds are typically grown using traditional plant breeding methods, such as cross-pollination, selection, and hybridization yet this process happens in a lab. These seeds are considered to be more natural and less risky in terms of potential health and environmental impacts compared to GMO seeds.

Organic

These seeds have been grown following the Federal organic growing standards and are often verified by a third-party organization. Only natural fertilizers have been used and they have not been exposed to pesticides. Planting organic seeds is a great way to support sustainable agriculture and promote the health of the environment, as well as the health of individuals who consume the resulting vegetables. I purchase the majority of my organic seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds. They produce only the highest-quality organic seeds with fantastic germination rates!

Pelleted

The purpose of pelleted seeds is to make planting very small seeds easier such as carrots and lettuce. They are coated in natural materials that break down quickly but the larger size makes starting these tiny seeds easier with less need to thin out later on. Pelleted seeds are a great choice for planting on a large scale as well.

Treated

These seeds have been treated to help protect them from certain diseases or pests. There are pros and cons to this. Your plants will be less likely to succumb to the diseases or pests they have been treated to deter but you need to decide if you are comfortable with the fungicide or insecticide in your garden.

Happy Growing!