Creator: Rob Smith

Seeds are essential to each gardener’s profitable rising journey – whether or not that’s fruit, greens or flowers. There are two principal classes of seeds: F1 hybrid and open-pollinated (OP). On this article, horticultural knowledgeable Rob Smith explains the principle variations, together with recommendation on which kind is finest suited to your functions.

Browse our full vary of vegetable seeds and revel in our handpicked assortment of flower seeds for F1 and OP varieties.

What are F1 hybrid seeds?

F1 hybrid seeds are recognized for his or her improved uniformity and vigour, and infrequently have an enhanced resistance to pests and illness. The results of managed cross-pollination between two completely different dad or mum crops, F1 hybrid seeds are specifically chosen for his or her fascinating traits. Carried out by skilled breeders, this course of goals to provide offspring with a mixture of their dad and mom’ finest traits. 

‘F1’ means ‘first filial technology’, and signifies the primary technology produced from the parental cross. F1 seeds have a tendency to provide crops which are extra uniform in look and efficiency than these grown from open-pollinated seeds. A preferred selection for industrial growers and people in search of consistency within the backyard, they’re particularly bred for improved yields, dimension and generally robustness.

One notable downside of F1 hybrid seeds is that they don’t produce seeds that reliably ‘come true to sort’. So, should you save seeds from an F1 hybrid, the crops produced are more likely to present a broad vary of traits, typically not resembling their dad or mum. 

What are open-pollinated seeds?

Originating from crops which are pollinated naturally, open-pollinated seeds use the wind, bugs, birds, or different pure mechanisms of pollination. Extra genetically numerous than F1 hybrids, open-pollinated crops attain a better variation in plant traits comparable to dimension, color and style – a range that’s typically helpful, permitting crops to adapt over time to rising challenges and native circumstances.

That they arrive ‘true to sort’ when saved and replanted is without doubt one of the most vital benefits of open-pollinated seeds. A apply that helps biodiversity, resilience and sustainability in gardening and farming, gardeners can reliably save seeds from their finest crops every year to step by step develop varieties uniquely suited to their backyard’s particular micro-environments. 

Usually heirloom varieties, open-pollinated seeds have been handed down for generations. Cherished for his or her distinctive histories, flavours and hues, they provide a connection to the previous and a counterpoint to industrial agriculture’s uniformity. 

Your backyard, your selection

Each seed sorts can be found from Suttons, and each have their locations in fashionable gardening (and in agriculture). 

• F1 hybrid seeds supply vigour and consistency, typically with greater yields. 
• Open-pollinated seeds enchantment to those that worth sustainability and heirloom varieties, providing genetic range and adaptableness, plus the chance to save lots of and share seeds.

That can assist you simply establish which seeds you’re shopping for, Suttons’ F1 hybrid seeds are clearly labelled as such on each seed packet. These not marked with the phrase ‘F1’ are sometimes open-pollinated. This labelling goals that can assist you make knowledgeable choices when shopping for your seeds – whether or not that’s supporting your particular gardening objectives or contributing in direction of biodiversity and sustainability.

We hope this has helped you to resolve which varieties of fruit, flower and vegetable seeds to decide on. See our recommendation on when to sow vegetable seeds and our month-to-month flower seed sowing calendar to start out every part off on the optimum time.

Lead picture: Suttons 1806 Purple Tin plus Veg Lover’s Seed Assortment