When visiting a gardener's haven, the owner can regale you with tales of each plant — its origin, giver, and history. We all have stories and memories entwined with plants that have flourished in our gardens for years. That is why we hold onto them: every autumn, we save seeds from peas, beans, pumpkins, onions, garlic, and more; we transplant and share rhubarb seedlings, peonies, bare-root black currants, or the one special phlox blooming in the evening. Returning to our childhood gardens, we cut grafts from beloved apple trees and dig up rootstocks. Tending to the earth nurtures our well-being.

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If a crop has been nurtured by your family for at least 30 years, it could become a national treasure – a heirloom plant.

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These plants are uniquely adapted to local soil and climate conditions, thriving without fertilizers or pesticides and demonstrating resilience to Latvia's changing seasons.

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Over the centuries, cultivars have evolved and improved, yet many have vanished. Moreover, supermarkets offer a wide selection of brightly packaged seeds and potted plants, sometimes even with

an unwanted bonus – a Spanish slug.

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Reducing our reliance on mineral fertilizers, pesticides, invasive pests, imported seeds and seedlings is crucial for preserving heirloom plants and passing them on to future generations. And then there is the inspiring story of the gardener who nurtured this plant over the years and shared it with others.

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It is never too late to begin saving heirloom plants!