Firefly Farm & Mercantile Blog

Top 10 spring bulbs for selling at farmers markets: Discover the best bulbs customers love, bloom times, care tips, and how to choose varieties that sell fast each season

Bearded Iris vs Siberian Iris: learn the key differences in blooms, foliage, growing conditions, and care so you can choose the best iris for your garden

Fertilizing Lilies in Spring: learn when and how to feed lilies for stronger stems and bigger blooms, including the best fertilizer types, timing, and easy application tips

Itoh Peony vs Tree Peony: Compare bloom size, plant shape, care needs, and cold hardiness to choose the best peony type for your garden and climate

Best bearded iris varieties for hot climates: Discover heat-tolerant picks that thrive in warm regions, plus planting and care tips for strong blooms and healthy rhizomes

Why your peonies didn’t bloom: Discover the most common causes—planting depth, shade, pruning, and stress—and how to fix them for better blooms next season

Dahlias vs. Zinnias: Compare bloom time, plant size, sun needs, and care tips so you can choose the best flower for your garden beds and cut-flower bouquets

We are back from our second year at the Wisconsin Garden Expo hosted by PBS, and we are still buzzing from the energy! It was a joy to connect with so many fellow gardeners and hear your stories about our seeds and bulbs.

Ranunculus vs. Anemones: Learn the key planting differences—corm prep, spacing, timing, sun needs, and bloom windows—so you can choose the right flowers for your garden

Gladiolus vs. Dahlias: compare bloom time, height, care needs, and planting tips so you can choose the right summer flowers for your garden beds and cut-flower bouquets

Best Direct Sow Flowers to Plant in April: discover easy blooms you can sow straight in the garden now, with quick tips on timing, sun, and spacing for success

Spinach vs lettuce in the garden: compare planting seasons, spacing, sun needs, bolt resistance, and harvest tips so you can grow the best greens for your climate