Organic Gardening Term of the Week: Hybrid

One of the great debates in the gardening world is whether heirlooms or hybrids are superior. Do heirlooms have superior flavor, but greater susceptibility to disease? Or do hybrids tend to sacrifice flavor for disease resistance? The only way to come to a conclusion on this (and each gardener must come to his or her own conclusion in the matter) is to try growing both and comparing for yourself. The first step in the heirloom vs. hybrid debate is to understand what a hybrid is.

Many hybrids, especially vegetables, are favored by home gardeners. Favored standbys include 'Sungold' and 'Better Boy' tomatoes, 'Kentucky Blue Wonder' beans, and many lettuces. Others, including yours truly, are enamored with heirlooms, both for their exceptional flavor and the history behind them. Ultimately, it's about what grows best in your garden; which plants give you maximum enjoyment without backbreaking labor.