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Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Developed in  WVU 2017. In 1963, West Virginia U. professor Mannon Gallegly released West Virginia 63 tomato, one of the first tomatoes bred for Late Blight resistance. 50 years later, Gallegly and colleague Mahfuz Rahman used WV 63 tomato to breed two new, larger tomatoes, with disease resistance now including Septoria leaf spot! Larger red beefsteak, sweeter flavor than the original West Virginia 63 tomato. Great disease resistance, fruits hold well on the vine. Interdemenite Characteristics:  Organic Interdemenite Excellent for sauce or fresh eating Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 77 days from transplant .16g ~40-80 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Tomatoes are sensitive to freezing temperatures, so wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Plant in full sun. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Plants need trellising or staking Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Exchange - (Talinum paniculatum) (aka Fameflower) Sure to become a favorite. Eye-catching mats of succulent chartreuse foliage. Attractive sprays of pink flowers followed by ruby-orange seedpods. Great filler for any border or container. Tolerates dry conditions. Self-sows readily. Tender perennial grown as an annual in the North, 24" tall. The leaves are used in salads and stir fry. The leaves do contain oxacyilic acid so do not consume in great quantities.   This one I first discovered growing in my Dallas backyard (I no longer live in Texas as our farm is in Wisconsin) and was amazed at the thousands of blossoms and red jeweled seed pods. I was thrilled to learn that the leaves were edible and used them often. It took me a few months to track the name down so I couldn't resist in adding them to our seed collections to share with you. Characteristics:  Organic Self-seeding tender perennial, annual in northern climates Sprays of tiny pink flowers Good filler flower for borders and containers Tolerates dry conditions 100 Seeds Instructions - Instructions - Sow seeds indoors on the surface of the soil. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed in late spring.  It can be sowed outside around the last frost. Sow 1/4" Deep Germination 7-12 days Thin 6-12" apart Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

‘Labyrinth’ Dahlia (Decorative) - The 'Labyrinth' Dahlia's color will have you admiring it from the time it first opens until the breath of the first frost. Its pink petals unfurl in different directions but do so in way that is purposeful.  All dahlias offered are grown on our farm in Cashton, WI.  Decorative Dahlias are wonderful plants that provide structure and color to any garden with minimal effort. They do rather well in the middle to back of your beds or even in stand-alone rows. They reward gardeners with an abundance of blooms starting in mid to late summer through frost.  T Characteristics 30”-50” in height Blooms are 5-10” wide USDA Zones 8-10 (Hardy in these zones, lift and store in winter in other zones) Summer to Fall Bloom Duration: Continuous Blooms through frost starting in mid to late summer Full Sun to Partial Shade Additional Information Great for Mass Plantings, Borders, and Cutting Gardens. Great for butterflies and other pollinators Ships starting by early April Key Planting Tips We plant dahlia tubers 4-6" deep. We add a few alfafla pellets in the hole and backfill with topsoil amended with compost. We space this variety 18" apart.  We recommend to simply pinch back the shoots after about 3-4 weeks to encourage branching.  You can amend soil with 10-10-10 or something similar. Just make sure the first number (nitrogen) is 5 or 10. You can fertilize every 4 weeks to help achieve larger blossoms. For 90% of us, don’t water until your Dahlia sprouts. If your soil is very dry, water the soil first and then let it stand for 30 minutes before planting. Mulch around your plant leaving bare dirt directly above the tuber. Every tuber is inspected by me (Andre Paquette) and then hand packed for shipment.  In case of any issues, we reach our proactively to go over options. If you have any questions hit the Chat with Us Now button simply reach out by email or a phone call. 

Renee's Garden - These split-petal vining nasturtiums date from the 19th century. Their unique petals, shaped like little flames, stand out in a kaleidoscope of colors against ivy-shaped leaves. Carefree Phoenix blooms absolutely nonstop, covering the foliage with both bright and pastel blossoms in crimson-red, rich gold, fiery orange, warm cream and soft peach, many brushed with burnished copper at the petal base. Phoenix flowers are edible and especially gorgeous scattered on salads or used as edible garnishes for savory dishes.   Characteristics:  Heirloom Selective  Hummingbird favorites  Pollinators & Beneficials  Great in containers  Annual Spring/summer/fall bloom  Frost tender    Instructions - To start outdoors, sow seeds in spring once all danger of frost is over in full sun (or part shade in hot climates). Nasturtiums need no added fertilizer in most soils. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. Press the soil firmly over the seeds and keep them moist. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to stand 10 inches apart, or 6 to 8 inches apart if training seedlings up vertical supports. To start early indoors, sow 2 seeds each in individual 4-inch pots of well-drained seed starting mix 3 weeks before the last expected frost date. Cover 1 inch deep. Provide a strong light source. When seedlings have several sets of leaves, pinch out the weaker seedling leaving 1 seedling per pot. When the weather is evenly in the 50°F (10°C) range, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions. Transplant as above in full sun. Climbing nasturtiums are easy to grow in any well-drained soil. You’ll need to train young plants onto their supports with loose ties, then they’ll climb easily and bloom non-stop. Do not let plants dry out during the blooming season. If aphids become a problem, wash them off with a strong spray of water or spray with a non-toxic Safer’s Soap solution. Phoenix’s bright confetti-like blossoms are true summer beacons for hungry hummingbirds.  Plant in April-June for cold winters; March-July for mild winters Full sun or partial shade  Sow seeds 3-4" apart; 1" deep  10-12 days to germinate  Mature height: 4-6 feet Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

'Thomas A Edison' Dahlia (Dinnerplate) - The Thomas A. Edison variety is a stunning deep purple color.  It is very easy to stop and admire the blooms.  You will be asking yourself why didn’t you plant more of these since they are breathtaking. All dahlias offered are grown right on our farm in Cashton, WI. Dinnerplate Dahlias are gardeners' delights all over the globe. They command attention since their blooms can be the size of your dinner plate. They reward gardeners with an abundance of blooms starting in mid to late summer through frost.  Characteristics 40-50” tall Blooms are 6-8” wide USDA Zones 8-10 (Hardy in these zones, lift and store in winter in other zones) Summer to Fall Bloom Duration: Continuous Blooms through frost starting in mid to late summer Full Sun Additional Information Great for Mass Plantings, Borders, and Cutting Gardens. Great for butterflies and other pollinators Ships starting in mid to late March Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun with the crown 1-2” below the soil.  Space Dinnerplate dahlias about 3’ apart from any neighbor. Plant when the soil is 60 degrees, well past any frost danger. Dahlias love rich soil that and dinnerplates thrive in neutral to slightly acidic soil.  You can amend soil with 10-10-10 or something similar. Just make sure the first number (nitrogen) is 5 or 10. You can fertilize every 4 weeks to help achieve large blossoms. Don’t water until the Dahlia sprouts. If your soil is very dry, water the soil first and then let it stand for 30 minutes before planting. Mulch around your plant leaving bare dirt directly above the tuber.  Photo Credit to F. D. Richards of Michigan, USA , Flickr username is F. D. Richards We are currently transitioing to grow all of our Dahlia stock. We exepct to offer some varitities starting in 2024 but will continue providing imported stock until we complete our domestic plan to raise them.. Dahlias are imported from 3 growers in Holland for us. These growers have supported us for years and have limited issues.  Once we receive our dahlias we wake them up to hand inspect each and every tuber.  Every tuber is inspected by me (Andre Paquette) and then hand packed for shipment.  In case of any issues, we reach our proactively to go over options. If you have any questions hit the Chat with Us Now button simply reach out by email or a phone call. 

The Living Seed Company - (Physalis peruviana) This South American golden berry is an amazing superfood that bears an amazing taste, wrapped in a paper lantern. This tender perennial boasts an amazing flavor profile - tart, sweet and oh so good. This is a variety that is from the Andes Mountains and was eaten as far back as the Inca civilization. Can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen, or preserved. The options are endless. Attracts pollinators and easily self sows.  We stock either Organic or Conventional based on availability  Prolific and super sweet Fruits grow to ½ to ¾ inch Fruits have a papery husk Sweet variety that stores well 70 days from transplant 20 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep 4-6 weeks before last frost. Plant out when the danger of frost has passed. Excellent results when grown on landscape cloth, which suppresses weeds and makes collecting the fruits easier. Start indoors 6 weeks before the last frost Germinate 14 days Plant 2-3' apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Renee's Garden - These vibrant cherry-rose-colored nasturtiums are a special treat in the garden. Cherries Jubilee's soft, lipstick-colored flowers shade from light to deep rosy-red, a very unique hue for nasturtiums. These delicious blossoms glow in profusion above a sea of highly ornamental blue-green, lily-pad-shaped leaves. The free-flowering plants have a mounding habit, perfect to fill and soften garden beds or corners, cover bare spots, or cascade gracefully from your favorite patio pots or hanging baskets. Hummingbirds adore them.    Characteristics:  Renee's Garden Exclusive  Annual  Cherry-rose shades  Approx 20-25 seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds in spring once all danger of frost is over in full sun (or part shade in hot climates). Nasturtiums need no added fertilizer in most soils. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. Press soil firmly over the seeds and keep moist. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to 10 inches apart so plants will have ample room to grow.  Plant in: April - June for cold winters or March - July for mild winters  Full sun or partial shade  Plant 1/4 inch deep  Plant 3-4 inches apart  9-12 days to germinate  Mature Height: 10-12 inches  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.