jennwestpa , I'm in central pa. and treat
heirloom seeds the same as any other seeds.

I would treat heirlooms the same as any seed. In some cases the heirlooms are easier to grow. Fancy new hybrids may be selected because the flower is a different color or the plants all turn out the same, or some other similar factor, not because they are easy to grow. On the other hand heirlooms are still around after all these years because they grow easily and reliably, among the other characteristics which make the particular variety desirable.

Thanks so much for all the advice-very helpful!