To jump in way at the end here, I think the comparison that would be more valid concerned which is "more work" would be the complete cycle from "seed to seed". As far as heirloom goes, it is a pretty basic plan for "seed to seed" - plant seeds, grow plants, pick quality fruit, save seeds. (While each step has some more complexity than I enumerated, it really is that "simple"). There is very little cross-pollination between tomatoes (although it CAN happen). If you are worried about it, a simple net can be placed over your fruit branch that you want to save the seeds for, and not worry about cross-pollination, as most tomatoes self-pollinate. Compared to hybrids, you cannot go from "seed to seed" in most cases. So there is no cycle. You MUST purchase new seeds every year (that have been crossed from their parents, year after year to produce new hybrid seeds). If you want to talk about economics - there is NO comparison! Even if heirlooms were twice as expensive as hybrids (which is not the case for the spectrum of varieties available), it would still be more economical in the long run to go with heirlooms and save the seeds. Tomato seeds are viable (if properly stored for up to 4 or 5 years - many times longer), so you could save yourself the hassle of saving seeds every year and just save MORE seeds than you need and save them every second year or every third year. In short, heirlooms can be a one time investment, if you so choose - hybrids are a yearly expense. (And yes, I did mean to use the different terms - investment vs. expense.)

Hello! I have a question, do you trade for SASE or just other seeds? You are the first person I have came across that has heirloom seeds. I have been doing research about heirlooms and would like to grow a small garden of them. Please let me know! Thank you Ruth

Hello, I am interested in trading seeds with you. I am still in the process of updating my trade list and so the present list is incomplete. Chervil2 Here is a link that might be useful: trade list

Well, you're in North Georgia so maybe your bug and disease pressure won't be the same as mine but here in North/Central Florida where I am I'd have to suggest Seminole Pumpkin and Waltham Butternut as being about as bullet proof as squash gets. They both taste pretty good to me, bear well, and so long as they are well mulched and kept watered when they need it they don't need much attention. They're both C. moschata so if you want to save seed you'll either have to isolate or grow one variety at a time. I'm growing Green Striped Cushaw as well. My first time with them, but they're supposed to be very reliable in the Deep South. The potential drawback will be taste and texture as I've read good and bad about that, but thus far they are going strong. Nothing much you can do for summer squash as borers and powdery mildew are going to be a problem. There are ways to slowing down or deterring both but sooner or later one or the other is going to do them in. Chances are though you'll get a good bit of squash before they do. I'm going to succession planting on squash myself. In another week to two weeks I'll put the second row in as my first are just about ready to bloom now. .....Alan.