Variety Name, or 'Can I Google this?'

[KiriBean]

Hello all,

This is my first year gardening, and I’m learning as I go. This winter it was garden planning, and collecting seed catalogues. This spring it was building beds, seed starting, and grow light setups. Now I’m learning about saving seed for next year but – Oops! I didn’t think of that when I ordered my seeds and I don’t know what I can save. I know the ones marked as hybrid are right out, and the ones marked as heirloom are okay. But what about the ones that are not labeled (which is most of them, really).

So my question is this… Are seeds that are named the same, the same? For example, if I were to Google the radish ‘Cherry Belle’ and it was listed as open-pollinated or heirloom elsewhere could I assume that my ‘Cherry Belle’ seeds are too?

Thank you,
-Kiri.

[puttgirl]

They 'should' be, although sometimes there are slight differences.

[Mulligan Man]

Originally Posted by KiriBean

Hello all,

This is my first year gardening, and I’m learning as I go. This winter it was garden planning, and collecting seed catalogues. This spring it was building beds, seed starting, and grow light setups. Now I’m learning about saving seed for next year but – Oops! I didn’t think of that when I ordered my seeds and I don’t know what I can save. I know the ones marked as hybrid are right out, and the ones marked as heirloom are okay. But what about the ones that are not labeled (which is most of them, really).

So my question is this… Are seeds that are named the same, the same? For example, if I were to Google the radish ‘Cherry Belle’ and it was listed as open-pollinated or heirloom elsewhere could I assume that my ‘Cherry Belle’ seeds are too?

Thank you,
-Kiri.

For the most part if it isn't labeled a hybrid it's not.

[KiriBean]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice.

-Kiri.

[goldpearl]

If you are interested in saving seed, get the book Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth from your local library or bookstore. It is a great resource for all the information you need for each variety of seed. Priceless!

[Hairy Moose Knuckles]

How ya been, Carol??? Long time no see!

[peapicker]

If more than one variety was blooming at the same time some seed could be hybrid