Why open pollinated?
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Open Pollinated
Open-pollinated seeds are varieties that naturally pollinate through wind, insects, or self-pollination, without human manipulation. Because of this, they reliably produce plants true to type, meaning the seeds you save from one season can be planted the next and still grow into the same variety. Open-pollinated seeds are especially valued by home gardeners and small farms for their consistency, adaptability to local climates, and preservation of genetic diversity.
Unlike hybrids or genetically modified seeds, open-pollinated seeds encourage long-term sustainability in the garden. They allow gardeners to save and share their own seed, reducing dependence on commercial suppliers while protecting heirloom traits that might otherwise be lost. For those interested in seed sovereignty, biodiversity, and resilient food systems, open-pollinated seeds are an essential choice.
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F1 Hybrid
Hybrid F1 varieties are the result of crossing two parent cultivars to produce a unique stable hybrid, or the F1 generation. Seed saved from hybrids will not produce true-to-type plants since the F2 generation will differentiate and show various genetic traits from the parent lines.
A popular example of a hybrid is Sungold cherry tomato. This is an incredibly delicious F1 hybrid. If you save seed from them and replant that seed you will not get Sungold again. Same with that great melon you got at the grocery store or even farmer's market. Chances are it was a hybrid and that the seeds you save from it will not bear true-to-type fruits.
Outbreeders vs. Inbreeders
Outbreeder Facts
Inbreeder Facts
Why is this important?
Outbreeders need insect or wind to move pollen for pollination. Some outbreeders like corn or beets rely on the wind to blow their light pollen onto the reproductive parts dedicated to seed production of neighboring plants.
Other outbreeders, like cabbage or squash, need insects to move pollen from one plant to the other. Squash, melons and cucumbers, have two types of flowers on the same plants and insects must move pollen between the two flowers in order for seeds to set in the fruit's ovary.
Inbreeders can self pollinate with little or no external output besides a gentle agitation usually supplied by the breeze.Examples of inbreeders include tomatoes, lettuce, beans and peas. These have pollen bearing and seed bearing organs in the same flower, known as a perfect flower. The pollen will find its way to the seed ovules without insects. (Sometimes perfect flowers are outbreeders--We can save that discussion for a subsequent blog.)
Outbreeders need a larger isolation distance between different varieties of the same species to keep seed true-to-type since insects can and will fly up to a mile or more. Inbreeders can be planted quite close together in a garden setting and will usually not cross pollinate between varieties of the same species.
For the beginning seed saver inbreeders are a great place to start!
Why Scientific Names Matter for Seed Saving
As seed savers, it’s important to pay attention to scientific names, which is why we include them on every Redwood Seeds packet. A plant’s scientific name is made up of two parts: the genus (the broader group) and the species (the specific type). Understanding these names helps gardeners know which plants can cross-pollinate and which will stay true to type.
The basic rule: plants with the same genus and species can cross-pollinate, while plants of the same genus but different species usually will not. For example, three common types of squash—Cucurbita pepo (Dark Star Zucchini, Candystick Delicata), Cucurbita moschata (Waltham Butternut), and Cucurbita maxima (Oregon Homestead Sweetmeat)—can all be grown together without crossing. However, if you plant two different varieties of Cucurbita pepo side by side (or even 20 feet apart), insects can carry pollen between them and create hybrid seed. Knowing this helps you save pure seed for future planting.
Understanding Isolation Distance in Seed Saving
Isolation distance refers to how far apart you should plant varieties of the same genus and species to prevent unwanted cross-pollination. In simple terms, this is the spacing needed to keep your seed pure. Inbreeding plants (like beans or tomatoes) usually only need 5–30 feet of separation, since insects rarely cross-pollinate them. Outbreeding plants (like squash, corn, or brassicas) require much more space—anywhere from 300 feet to 2 miles—because insects and wind can easily spread pollen.
These distances are especially important for farmers and seed companies producing seed on a larger scale, where keeping varieties pure is critical. In the home garden, though, you don’t always need to be exact. Gardeners often use creative hacks—like staggered planting times, physical barriers, or bagging blossoms—to help maintain seed purity even when plants are grown closer together.