The Latvian Academy of Sciences explanatory dictionary defines "cultural heritage" as tangible or intangible evidence of human intellectual activity: "It includes the works of artists, architects, musicians, writers, and scientists, as well as anonymous authors, expressions of the human spirit, and value systems that give life meaning." We believe this is a very accurate definition that also explains the essence of the term "heritage/heirloom plant".

 

Cultivars are plants that are intentionally grown in yards, gardens, fields, and meadows. This diverse category encompasses ornamental plants, vegetables, fruits, potatoes, cereals, herbaceous plants, medicinal plants, and herbs. Everything that nourishes humans physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Latvian homesteads have cultivated all of these plants for generations. Over centuries, these plants have evolved and improved, though many have been lost.

 

Latvia has always been at the crossroads of East and West: the diverse influences of German, Swedish, Polish, and Russian rule have enriched Latvia's agricultural heritage. With each change in power, new plant varieties were introduced by the gardeners of castles and manors. These plants either died, or they adapted, hybridized, and were selected, both intentionally and by chance, resulting in a vast array of cultivated species. But modern globalization is taking its toll, and local cultivars are disappearing at an incredible rate. Therefore, we must take responsibility and care for the preservation of heirloom plants and pass them on to future generations.

 

At the national level, seeds of all cultivar varieties created and available in Latvia are stored in the Latvian plant gene bank for up to 30 years or more, following internationally recognized standards, as long as the seeds of officially registered varieties and lines maintain their germination. Then the seeds are regenerated and placed back in freezers for several decades. However, heirloom plants have been overlooked. What should be done with them? How can we preserve them, and why is this crucial?

 

Beyond their emotional and spiritual significance, heirloom plants possess immense biological value. Having adapted to diverse geographical and climatic conditions over decades (for example, the climates of Liepāja and Alūksne present vastly different conditions for plant growth), these plants are resilient to locally specific challenges like soil type, wind, and frost. Moreover, through generations of selective breeding, these plants have developed resistance to diseases, pests, and the vagaries of climate change (like late spring frosts, early autumns). Heirloom crops are continually evolving in response to changing environments. If not for these qualities, why would we cherish them?

 

Heirloom plants are crops that have been cultivated within a specific area, farm, or family for an extended period (at least 30 years or one generation). Unlike commercially bred varieties, they are often maintained informally, without strict adherence to breeding standards, and may even lack formal names, often referred to by local designations, for example, Aunt Alma's cucumbers, Tsar Nicholas's beans, or Uncle Carl's potatoes. Fruit trees are considered to be historically valuable varieties if introduced before World War II – that is, they have been cultivated for at least 80-100 years.

 

Officially registered garden plant varieties grown for seed production or for vegetative propagation are not considered heirloom crops. These varieties are typically managed by breeders or gene banks.