Is the turmoil of worldwide events causing you anxiety, forcing you to prepare for potential chaos? The answer can be found in heirloom seeds. Picture the satisfaction of cultivating your own delicious food; could there be anything more fulfilling?
To help you get going on your survival kit, we’ve listed the 5 best heirloom seeds for preppers in this article, along with their pros and cons.
The Best Heirloom Seeds in a Nutshell
Product | Features | Price |
Best Overall – Black Duck Set of 43 Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets | 7-14 days germination rateWinter bloomersRequire moderate watering and full sunlight | Check Price |
Runner Up – Gardeners Basics Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit | Ideal for both beginners and expertsSpring to fall bloomersRequires regular watering and full sunlight | Check Price |
Best for Beginners – Survival Garden Seeds Home Garden Vegetable, Fruit & Herbs Seed Bank Kit | Suitable for both culinary and medicinal useSummer bloomersRequires moderate watering and full sunlight | Check Price |
Most Nutritional – Botanical Interests Power Greens Organic, Heirloom, and Non-GMO Seed Collection | Ideal for health enthusiastsSummer to fall bloomersRequires moderate watering and full sunlight | Check Price |
Most Affordable – Sow Right Seeds Classic Vegetable Garden Seed Collection | Comes with easy-to-follow growing instructionsAll year-round bloomersRequires moderate watering and full sunlight | Check Price |
5 Best Heirloom Seeds for Preppers: Detailed Reviews
If you want to save seeds for your survival garden, these choices are your best bet for perfect germination rates and delicious meals.
1. Best Overall – Black Duck Set of 43 Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets
The Black Duck set sits at the top of our list because of the vast choices it offers. With 43 heirloom vegetables and herbs, you’ll be all set in case of any unexpected event. They feature a high germination rate in a short time, so you can expect to see sprouts as early as 7-14 days.
Considering the Black Duck heirloom varieties are winter bloomers, you can sow them anywhere from spring to fall, and don’t worry if you’re a first-timer. There are easy-to-follow, detailed instructions on the back of each individual seed packet.
Other than that, the Black Duck seeds are all non-GMO and suitable for outdoor use. You can store them for up to several years in a dry, cool place till you use them and still enjoy premium yield. Best of all, Black Duck offers full refunds if your seeds aren’t of the current year.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy growing requirements
- Diverse choices and delicious flavors
Cons:
- Some customers reported missing varieties
2. Runner Up – Gardeners Basics Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit
The Gardeners Basics survival garden kit brings tomatoes, carrots, peppers, lettuce, and 31 more heirloom varieties to your table, making it worthy of second place on our list. The survival seeds come packed in specially made packets to prevent mold, often caused by plastic bags. They’re all non-GMO, non-hybrid, and open-pollinated.
Each packet comes with specific growth instructions that you should follow, and all viable seeds are expected to bloom from spring to fall. While we’d have liked the inclusion of more medicinal herbs, the seed kit remains one of our favorites.
Since nobody knows when world chaos will hit, Gardeners Basics has you all set with a 25-year shelf life if the seeds are stored in a cool, dry place.
Pros:
- Suitable for indoor growing
- High germination rates
- Long growing season
Cons:
- Pricier than most choices on our list
3. Best for Beginners – Survival Garden Seeds Home Garden Vegetable, Fruit & Herbs Seed Bank Kit
The Survival Garden Seeds seed bank kit checks all boxes as a beginner-friendly choice. It comes with easy-to-follow growth and storing instructions on the back of each packet, and all crops have high germination rates. Also, they’re all non-GMO, non-hybrid, open-pollinated seeds.
Our favorite part about the kit is that it covers all of your needs, as it comes carrying vegetables, fruits, and medicinal and culinary herbs. They’re all suitable for outdoor use and bloom in the summer, so you need to grow them around fall.
While this kit comes with 30 seed packs, two other larger packs are available for hardcore preppers, carrying 50 and 100 packs. If you’re knee-deep in seed saving, you can check them out.
Pros:
- Seeds are viable for up to 8 years
- The seeds come in zip lock bags that can be reused
- Healthy produce and fresh flavors
Cons:
- Some seeds might not grow
4. Most Nutritional – Botanical Interests Power Greens Organic, Heirloom, and Non-GMO Seed Collection
If you want to bring highly nutritional foods to your family’s table in even the darkest of times, the Botanical Interests seed collection will come to your rescue. While it doesn’t offer as many choices as the rest of the products here, it packs the healthiest and most nutritional options. The seeds you’ll enjoy are arugula, lettuce, parsley, spinach, kale, and more.
The non-GMO, non-hybrid seeds bloom from summer to fall with basic growth requirements, like full sunlight and well-drained soil. On the back of each packet, you can see which crops are frost tolerant and which aren’t so that you can plan your growing schedule accordingly.
While the Botanical Interests kit isn’t enough on its own because you’ll need regular heirloom vegetable seeds, it’s ideal for survival gardens because of the nutritional value it offers.
Pros:
- Seeds come in a recyclable box
- Compliant with all USDA laws and regulations
- Easy to grow and store
Cons:
- Limited options
5. Most Affordable – Sow Right Seeds Classic Vegetable Garden Seed Collection
The Sow Right Seeds collection brings 12 different crops to your dinner table, including tomatoes, cabbage, watermelon, zucchini, and more. It comes with straightforward growing instructions for beginners as well as additional tips for a perfect harvest. Also, the brand has a resourceful blog where you can learn extra information about saving seeds.
Sow Right Seeds is the right choice if you’re looking for sustainability, as their operations are solar-powered, and their crops are all GMO-free. While this pack doesn’t include herb seeds, there’s another one that includes 40 crops instead of 12, so you have options to choose from.
Best of all, the manufacturers promise to make it up for you if your seeds don’t germinate, so you have nothing to worry about!
Pros:
- Seeds come in paper packets to prevent mold growth
- High germination rates
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Not all seeds germinate
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cool-Weather Crop Is Best for Seed Saving?
Cabbage is the best cool-weather crop to save because its seeds remain viable for up to 6 or more years if stored properly. Also, it’s easy to grow indoors and outdoors and grows reasonably fast.
Once you’ve selected the best heirloom seeds for your prepping needs, ensure they thrive in the colder months by setting up the perfect winter greenhouse kit to create a nurturing environment all year round.
Are Heirloom or Hybrid Vegetable Seeds More Resistant to Disease?
Heirloom vegetable seeds grow naturally in the same environment for decades, while hybrid seeds are bred in different conditions to improve their resistance and yield. Accordingly, hybrid seeds are much more resistant to disease and pests.
To Wrap Up
Do you want to stay ready for any unfortunate global event by saving vegetable and herb seeds? The Black Duck Set of 43 Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets is your best choice to fill your dinner table with flavorful meals. Coming a close second on our list is the Gardeners Basics Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit with 35 crops to grow and enjoy.
Whether you’re a hardcore prepper or still getting to it, you’ll find a suitable option for you on our list, so make your choice and order some seeds now!