Beans

Seed Exchange - Our very best snap bean for fresh eating, freezing, or processing, the Empress bean offers incredible flavor. The vigorous plants produce heavy yields of large, straight, green, 5-6” stringless pods. Plant in succession for fresh beans throughout the season. Introduced by Gurney’s in 1979 as Experimental Bean 121 and later renamed Empress. Bush habit, snap, 55 days BEST SELLER Organic Our best fresh-eating snap bean Bush habit 5-6" stringless pods Heavy yields Snap bean 55 days 50 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Rows 36-48" apart

Sweet Lorane Fava Beans are a rare treat in the fava bean world.  We are glad to offer them. They are slightly smaller than your Broad Windsor and sweeter. The skins contain less tanins thus removing much of the bitter flavor, favas can be known for. They are a more modern open-pollinted variety from the 1980's, As with all favas they do not care for the heat and can tolerate cold temperatures down to zero degrees hence why it is important to sow in early spring when peas, lettuces, kales can be sown. Favas feed the soil and are often used as a cover crop as well.  Bush Bean Open Pollinated 65-100 days 25 seeds Grown on Small Farms Instructions - Plant in fall in mild climates or plant as soon as the soil is workable as its hardy down to 10 degrees F.  Direct Seed 6-8" apart Planting Depth 1-2" We like to space them 8" at least to allow good air circulation in case late spring is warmer than usual Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Exchange - This historic French string bean bears delicious, slender pods and does well in cool soil. This variety’s tiny gourmet green beans are best eaten when picked every 2 or 3 days, while still very young and before any strings develop. Bush habit, snap, 50-60 days. ± 1,1000 seeds/lb Bush bean  Open-Pollinated Tolerates cool soil  Snap bean 50 Seeds per pacl Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1" deep Plant Rows 36-48" apart Full sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varitities so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Flat, medium green pods on 21" productive, bush habit plants. Plants produce plentiful harvests of flat pods with rounded edges that are tender and smooth. Fruit set occurs high on the 21" tall bush, making for easy harvesting. This flat bean is known as a Kentucky Wonder type, which originally came out as a pole bean and was later developed into a bush bean. The pod is not as wide as the Roma II but it is thicker and juicier. White seeds. From Pure Line Seeds. Vigorous bush 5.5-6" pods Open-Pollinated 1 ounce of seeds Disease Resistance DetailsIntermediate Resistance: Halo Blight, Rust Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after 2-3 weeks of last frost as beans do like the ground to be warmer. Direct Seed 1-5" apart Planting Depth 1/2 -1" Thin 3-5" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Early variety with a concentrated harvest perfect for preserving. Lemon-yellow pods with green tips are round, straight, and tender. Fine flavor and crisp texture ideal for pickling or Lacto-fermenting. Pods hang in clusters around the main stem, making them easy to pick. White seeds. Characteristics: Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Concentrated harvest  Holds well  4-5" pods  High-disease resistance  1 oz of seeds Instructions - Beans only require average fertility and prefer pH in the 6.0 - 6.8 range. Choose well-drained, warm soils and use inoculants to increase yields where natural Rhizobia populations are low. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-95°F. Beans are particularly sensitive to cool soils and are prone to rot if temperatures are below 55°F. Harvest early and often to increase yields. Remove oversized beans to maintain pod production. Beans are ready for storage when the seed coat can not be dented by a fingernail. Store beans in a cool dry place.  Sow 1-2" Deep Space 6" apart in rows; use single or double rows with 12" between, and 4' center beds with trellis in the middle  Days to maturity are from direct seeding after all danger of frost has passed  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Living Seed Company -This wonderful heirloom bean is considered to be one of the oldest wax beans and was believed to have been introduced around the 1870's! Known for its rich buttery flavor, stringless properties and delicious taste!  This steady and productive bush bean variety will keep continue to provide excellent yields!  Excellent for preservation in canning, freezing and as a dry shelly bean! Organic Stringless Bush Bean 15-24" tall 50-65 days 40 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after 2-3 weeks of last frost as beans do like the ground to be warmer. Direct Seed 3-6" apart Planting Depth 1/4' Thin 6" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Exchange - One of the 1,186 beans given to SSE in 1981 by bean collector John Withee of Massachusetts. Named for Carrie Belle Stallard of Wise County, Virginia. This variety dates to at least the 1930s. Maroon beans splashed with white, 5-6 seeds per pod. Wonderful rich meaty flavor, great for soups. Very productive. Pole habit, dry, 85-95 days. ±680 seeds/lb.  Pole bean  Maroon and white beans  Open Pollinated Meaty flavor  Very productive  Dry bean  85-95 days 50 Seeds per packet   Instructions -  Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1" deep Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing Full sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varitities so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

We love having this pure white lima bean, especially since Seiva Pole Beans are not available this year.  Dwarf Sieva or Henderson Lima Beans were brought to market by 1889 by Peter Henderson Company of New York. It is quite disease resistance and is the same creamy limas that folks love about Sievas (just a little shorter)  Bush habit, 60-75 days.  Characteristics:  Bush bean Seeds are white and small Disease resistant Shelling and Dry bean 60-75 days 1/2 ounce of seeds per packet  Instructions - Lima beans thrive in hot temperatures. Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Seeds will germinate in 7-18 days. Limas prefer full sun.  Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Rows Apart: 36-48" Full Sun

The Seed Savers Exchange - Also called Hidatsa Indian Red, this variety was originally grown by the Hidatsa tribe in the Missouri River Valley of North Dakota. In 1915, it was introduced to commerce in Oscar Will’s Pioneer Indian Collection of seeds. The dark-red seeds are reminiscent of kidney beans, and the productive, sprawling bush plants will climb to 3' if given support. Bush habit, dry, 80-100 days. ±1,300 seeds/lb Bush bean  Sprawling bush plants will climb to three feet if supported  Dark red seeds  Dry bean  50 Seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest snap beans frequently for increased yields. Leave some pods on the vine and harvest when completely mature for dry beans. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1" deep Plant Rows 36-48" apart Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

From the Hidatsa tribe who raised corn, squash, beans, and sunflowers in the Missouri River Valley of North Dakota. Shield Figure beans are described in Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden (1917). This very productive variety was boarded onto Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste in 2005. Pole habit, dry, 90 days. ±600 seeds/lb. Pole bean White beans with tan and brown markings Open-Pollinated Very productive Dry bean 90 days 50 Seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed 2" apart  Plant 1" deep Support using Trellis, tepee, or fencing Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Ideal Market Pole Snap Bean - It is a perfect bean for our zone 4 heirloom gardens. We grow it year after year and it is the first pole bean to bear tender pods for eating. Our source for the seed we started with is Seedsavers Exchange. We offer this Ideal Market both in Seedsaver's Exchange retail packets and our Firefly Farm label. Additionally seed in the Firefly label is grown right here in our heirloom gardens.  The Seed Savers Exchange - Flawless. An early-producing, stringless pole bean with vines that bear 5"-long snap beans all along its 6'-tall vines. This variety has a fine texture and excellent taste and is suitable for eating fresh or freezing. Introduced to the seed trade in 1914 as Black Creaseback by Van Antwerp’s Seed Store of Mobile, Alabama, it was reintroduced in 1924 by Chris Reuter Seed Company of New Orleans, Louisiana, as Reuter’s Ideal Market. Pole habit, snap, 65-70 days. ±1,900 seeds/lb. Pole bean Stringless pods Open-Pollinated Excellent quality Early and productive Snap bean 65-70 days 50 Seeds per pack Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart  Plant 1" deep Support using Trellis, tepee, or fencing Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Jade Bush Bean - Gourmet-quality long, slender, stringless green beans. Commercial yields of glossy medium green beans for fresh market sales or the garden. Large, 18-22" tall plants produce yields comparable to Provider and Strike. Pale green seeds. Heat tolerant 6-7" long pods Open-Pollinated 1 oz of seeds Disease Resistance DetailsHigh Resistance: Bean Common Mosaic VirusIntermediate Resistance: Bacterial Brown Spot, Curly Top Virus, Rust Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after 2-3 weeks of last frost as beans do like the ground to be warmer. Direct Seed 1-5" apart Planting Depth 1/2 -1" Thin 3-5" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Producing crunchy, sweet, and fruity snap beans with an apple-grape flavor, this runner bean might unseat your favorite snap bean. In addition to tasting great fresh, the variety produces dry beans with a slightly sweet, earthy flavor and a smooth texture. A strong climber with beautiful flowers, the variety was developed by W. Deal & Sons Ltd., Kelvedon, Essex, England; introduced in 1950; and given to Seed Savers Exchange in 1981 by famed bean collector John Withee. Rarely available in the United States commercial seed trade, it is a marvel to be enjoyed. Characteristics:  Red blossoms Unique Scent Beans mature to black and speckled mauve Used for ornamental purposes or as small snap pods or green shell beans Pole bean 75 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Runner beans prefer full sun, although they tolerate part shade very well. Young pods can be eaten whole, or the beans can be eaten fresh or dried. Even the flowers are edible. Direct Seed 2" apart Seed Depth: 1" Rows Apart: 24-36" Support: Trellis, tepee, or netting Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seedsaver Seed Exchange - An heirloom stringless bean from the 1880's, this one is resistant to rust and has the same 9" long beans the pole bean version has but yields are harvested more quickly.  Bush bean Stringless 50 days 50 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed: 2" Apart  Seed Depth: 1" Rows Apart: 36-48" Light: Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

A stringless pole bean that was a market hit! In 1877 Jame J. H. Gregory & Sons brought Texas Pole to market as Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean.  The first date we have for this variety is 1864 when it was made avaialble as Texas Pole.  Pole bean, 5-7' tall Stringless pods with grat flavor Snap bean 58-64 days 50 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields.  Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Rows Trellis, Support

Starts shipping November 15th, 2025! We grew this and watched it all summer and it did not disappoint. We started from seed in the gardens on 6/1 and harvested our first seed 9/29. It produced and produced! We will add more to this story soon.  Original Seedstock received from Seed Saver's Exchange - Pole bean, strongly climbing. Straight; constricted; uniformly bright green pods; smooth. Leaves dark green. Fully expanded pods measure 2.9-3.9 and 0.3-0.4 wide. White flowers. Mature pods contain 7 seeds. Small white cuboid shaped seed. Hard seeded. Late maturing snap beans. Moderately high productivity. Donated to SSE in 1981 by bean collector John Withee of Lynnfield, Massachusetts and the Wanigan Associates. John received this variety from Silas Gilliam of Virginia. Silas stated that he received this variety in the early 1960s from Arlie Hubbard of Virginia, who was known for laughing all the time. SSE Accession # 101499 John Withee, 1981 Excellent for fresh eating Snap bean White flowers Pole habit 65-75 days 25 seeds - Will do a 10' row Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Trellis, Fence, or Tee-Pee Rows 36-48" apart

Exceptional culinary quality, with silky texture and thin skin. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Mild flavor and drier texture excellent for chili, bean salads, baked and in soups. Medium-sized plants are sturdy and widely adapted, producing well even in cool, wet climates like the Northeast. Widely-adapted Bush habit Open-Pollinated 1 oz of Seed (145 seeds on average) Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Plant Rows Apart 36"-48" Firefly Farm may substitute seed vendors based on availablity. 

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Pre-mixed purple, yellow, and green snap beans make an eye-catching custom blend. No more hand mixing after a bean harvest our tri-color bean blend makes it easy and efficient to offer bags of colorful beans! Varieties were selected for their excellent flavor and even rates of maturity. Plant successions and harvest these beautiful, festive beans all season. Includes gold, purple and green snap beans. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  HMOs Exclusive  Matures evenly  4-6" pods  55 days 1 oz approx. 145 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1-2"  Plant Rows Apart 36"- 48"