Lettuce

The Seed Savers Exchange - Look no further than the historic John A Salzer Seed Company’s 1901 catalog for a detailed description of this fast-growing butterhead lettuce: “This remarkable lettuce does not head but makes a loose bunch of leaves of superlatively fine quality. ...It forms a beautiful plant; the leaves grow upright, the upper part of the outer leaves turning outward very gracefully. The edges of the outer leaves are of a glossy, reddish bronze, very ornamental and fresh in appearance; within, the leaves are almost white and wonderfully crisp and tender.” 40-50 days. Characteristics:  From the Collection for 2023  Organic Historic variety originating in 1901  Crisphead lettuce  Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.  Direct Seed: 1" apart  Seed Depth: 1/4"  Germination: 7-14 days  Thin: 6-8" apart   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Amish Deer Tongue produces bright and crisp green leaves in abundance.  harvest by the leaves or take the whole head.  They are able to withstand warm temperature a bit longer.  50 days Organic Looseleaf lettuce Heat-tolerant Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 7-14 days Thin: 6-8" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - Its mellifluous Hawaiian name may mean “rainbow,” but this lettuce is a beautiful, uniform bright green. A slow grower and bolter, ‘Anuenue’ matures as the days get shorter and the heat gets stronger. This University of Hawaii introduction bears crisp, sweet, succulent leaves and remains compact as it grows, surrounding its round, tightly packed heart with crisp outer leaves. Unlike the seed of most lettuce varieties, its seed will germinate at 80 degrees; this variety also has some cool- season hardiness when protected. Characteristics 50 days Organic Crisphead lettuce Heat-tolerant Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 7-14 days Thin: 6-8" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - This improved Dutch strain of garden arugula (also known as rocket) is noted for its lack of bitterness and its spicy, large, rounded leaves, which are high in vitamin C. This variety can be harvested three to five times per sowing, functioning like a cut-and-come-again crop. 40-45 days.  Excellent flavor High in vitamin C Produces 3-5 cuttings Open-Pollinated 500 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked and the danger of hard frost has passed. For a continuous supply of arugula, sow every three weeks throughout the summer. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth: 1/4" Germination 5-7 days Thin 1-6" apart 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)

Preorder yours today Seed Savers Exchange - Arugula is a wonderful salad addition to other greens or a salad by itself.  Sylvetta is less a wild variety that has wonderful traits and will be loved for being easy to grow and thrive. Organic Tasty, small, serrated leaves Slow to bolt Wild variety 45 days Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked and danger of hard frost has passed. For a continuous supply of arugula, sow every three weeks throughout the summer. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth 1/4" Germination 5-7 days Thin 1-6" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on availability.

Renee's Garden - A unique wild arugula, Wasabi’s leaves taste just like the complex, spicy flavor of freshly made wasabi paste. These delicious little plants grow quickly and easily, forming pretty leafy rosettes. More weather tolerant than other varieties, you can harvest whole plants or pick individual piquant leaves for zesty accents to everyday meals. When plants send up flower stalks, the little white blossoms are edible; use both leaves and flowers in salads, sandwiches, sushi, pasta, and barbecue. Characteristics:  Renee's Garden Exclusive  Annual  Frost hardy  Delicious and spicy flavor  Weather tolerant  Approx 1000 seeds   Instructions - Plant in spring (or late summer for a fall crop) directly into the garden in well-worked soil in full sun, or a spot that receives partial afternoon shade. Sow 1 inch apart and barely cover. Keep the seed bed evenly moist until seedlings emerge in 10 to 12 days. Begin harvesting individual young leaves in 4 to 5 weeks. In hot summer areas, wait to sow again in late summer for fall use, as extreme heat makes leaves extra pungent. Plant in: April - May for cold winters or Spring-Fall for mild winters  Full sun / Part-day shade  Sow seeds 1 inch apart  10-12 days to germinate  Mature Height: 4-5 inches  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Eruca sativa) (aka Roquette or Rocket) This fast-growing, cool-season green of Mediterranean origin is ideal for salads, sandwiches, frittatas, and pizzas, and can be grown in partial shade. Its sharp, distinctive, nutty flavor is best when picked young. Self-sowing and relatively cold-tolerant. 40-45 days. ±11,000 seeds/oz Organic Also known as Roquette or Rocket Open Pollinated Sharp, distinctive nutty flavor Best when picked young 40-45 days 500 seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked and the danger of hard frost has passed. For a continuous supply of arugula, sow every three weeks throughout the summer. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun, or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth: 1/4" Germination 5-7 days Thin 1-6" apart 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)

The commercial standard with long green leaves and a characteristic mildly spicy flavor. High Mowing Organic Seed - Germinates quickly and tolerates cold and hot temperatures well. Our strain has a mix of "cut" and "strap" leaf shapes when grown as a baby leaf. Performs well as a cut-and-come-again crop. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Heat and cold tolerant Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked and the danger of hard frost has passed. For a continuous supply of arugula, sow every three weeks throughout the summer. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth 1/4" Germination 5-7 days Thin 1-6" apart

A Firefly Farm & Mercantile favorite for us to grow.  It does well in our summers and we have it growing in the middle of our deep compost and woodchip beds every year. For 2026, it will come in a Firefly Farm Branded Envelope as we have plenty of seed and Seedsavers took a year off from offering it.  The Seed Savers Exchange - A butterhead lettuce bursting with bright green leaves that tolerates both cold and heat. This variety was donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Nestor Keen, who received seeds from his Aunt Mae in 1937. Butterhead, 50-60 days. Characteristics:  Cold- and heat-tolerant Butterhead lettuce 250 Seeds Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 7-14 days Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - an Australian variety from our friends at Digger’s Club near Melbourne. A very tender texture. Unique chartreuse color. Slow to bolt, large plants. Looseleaf, 50 days Characteristics:  Australian heirloom Chartreuse leaves Slow to bolt Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 50 days 250 seeds   Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 7-14 days Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Elegant leaves with a striking dark green color and favorable uniformity. This beautiful arugula is tender with a lovely spice. The highly serrated leaves give this variety its elevated charm and the outstanding uniformity makes for excellent selling quality. Plants have a strong field tolerance to downy mildew and excellent storage life. From our friends at Vitalis Seeds.  Characteristics:   Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Striking dark green leaves  UP  Instructions -Specialty greens are cold hardy and fast-growing leafy plants. Days to maturity are from direct seeding, except for chicories (endive, escarole, puntarelle, radicchio,) where days to maturity are from transplant. Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

🥗 Black-Seeded Simpson Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) The 150-Year King of the Heirloom Garden If there is a "hall of fame" for garden vegetables, Black-Seeded Simpson holds a permanent place at the very top. For over a century and a half, this has been the most popular loose-leaf lettuce in America, and for good reason. Known for its large, ruffled, light emerald-green leaves and its incredibly fast growth, it offers a sweet, tender crunch that modern supermarket varieties simply cannot replicate. It is the ultimate "reliable" lettuce—thriving in a variety of climates and providing a heavy harvest when other greens are still waking up. 📜 Historical Heritage: A Civil War Era Classic The Black-Seeded Simpson is one of the oldest and most successful heirlooms in North American history. It was officially introduced to the public around 1850 and was famously championed by the legendary seedsman Peter Henderson in the mid-to-late 19th century. Historically, it became a staple of the American homestead during and after the Civil War because of its "cut-and-come-again" nature, allowing families to harvest fresh greens from a single patch for months. It was bred to be exceptionally hardy, becoming the standard by which all other leaf lettuces were measured for over 150 years. The Simpson Family Tree: While the Black-Seeded variety is the famous standard, it was actually preceded by the White-Seeded Simpson, an even older 18th-century heirloom. The White-Seeded variety is remarkably similar in flavor and texture, though the Black-Seeded version was eventually favored by 19th-century gardeners for its superior heat resistance and slightly larger, more ruffled frame. We have not been able to find seds for White-Simpson so if you know a source, send it our way please.  ✨ Product Highlights Lightning Fast Growth: One of the quickest lettuces to reach maturity, often ready for baby-leaf harvest in just 21 days. Heat Tolerant: Unlike many lettuces that bolt (go to seed) at the first hint of summer, Black-Seeded Simpson is remarkably slow to bolt and stays sweet even as temperatures rise. "Cut-and-Come-Again": Designed for multiple harvests. Snip the outer leaves, and the plant will continue to produce fresh center growth all season. Delicate Texture: Features "crinkled" leaves that are exceptionally tender and succulent, with a mild, never-bitter flavor. Vibrant Color: The bright, light-green leaves add a fresh, "neon" pop to garden beds and salad bowls. 🛠️ Quick Growth Profile Feature Specifications Type Heirloom Loose-leaf Days to Maturity 21 (Baby) / 45 (Full Size) Color Light Emerald Green Sun Requirement Full Sun to Partial Shade Growth Habit Upright, Ruffled Mounds Texture Crisp and Tender 🌱 How to Grow Black-Seeded Simpson 1. Sowing the Seeds:Lettuce seeds are tiny and require a little light to germinate. When: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch every 2 weeks until early summer. Depth: Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep. Just a light dusting of soil is all they need. Germination: Expect sprouts in 7–10 days. 2. The Perfect Location:This lettuce thrives in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. While it loves the sun, it is the perfect candidate for Partial Shade, especially if you want to keep harvesting well into the warmer months of June and July. 3. Maintenance: Spacing: If you want full-sized mounds, thin seedlings to 8–10 inches apart. For baby greens, you can leave them crowded at 2 inches apart. Watering: Lettuce is composed mostly of water! Keep the soil consistently moist. Drought is the number one cause of bitterness in home-grown lettuce. Harvesting: You can begin harvesting individual leaves once they reach 3 inches in height. Always harvest in the cool of the morning for the crispest texture. 🥗 Culinary Inspiration Because of its ruffled texture, Black-Seeded Simpson is the king of "dressing-catchers"—its crinkles hold onto vinaigrettes perfectly. It is the essential lettuce for a classic Wilted Lettuce Salad (tossed with warm bacon dressing) or as a fresh, crunchy topping for summer burgers and sandwiches. Garden Tip: If you are short on space, this is the best lettuce for containers and window boxes. Its shallow root system and mounding habit make it thrive in just a few inches of soil! 🥗🧺✨

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced as Bronze Beauty by Germain’s Seed Co. Awarded the bronze medal at the 1947 All-America Selections. Hailed as “the finest, most colorful and most delicious leaf lettuce for the home garden.” Our favorite oakleaf type. Looseleaf, 40-50 days. ±25,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Green and deep maroon leaves Short season variety Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 40-50 days 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 7-14 days Thin: 6-8" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - The Royal Horticultural Society presented this midseason-maturing romaine heading lettuce with the prestigious award of merit in 1923. Red-green leaves are thick, tender, and sweet, striking all the right notes in the garden and on the salad plate. Plants reach 8-10" tall by 12-16" wide; leaves measure 8-9" long by 4-6" wide at maturity. Donated to Seed Savers Exchange in the early 1980's by member and Exchange lister Stan Heymann, this variety was likely developed by Thomas Goldring and Sons, a pre-World War company of seedsmen, fruiterers, and florists based in Sussex.  Characteristics:  Romaine lettuce Green leaves accented with red hues 8"-10" tall 12-16" wide Leaves are thick, tender and sweet From the Collection, 2025 Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.  Direct Seed: 1" apart  Seed Depth: 1/4"  Germination: 7-14 days  Thin: 6-8" apart   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability