Nature’s Nitrogen Fixers!

Purple Prairie Clover - An important short prairie species as it helps feed the soil, provide food for polliantors and cover for wildlife. It is adapatable to many soil types and is commonly used in prairie restoration and wildlife plantings.  it blooms non stop from mid summer to fall.   Botanical Name: Dalea purpurea Characteristics:  Perennial Hardy to zone 4 Plant heigh is 1-3' tall Purple blossoms mid-summer through fall Nitrogen Fixing Plant to improve soil health 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - Easy to grow when direct-seeded into a weed-free seedbed in mid-spring to early summer. Very drought tolerant once established. Alternative is to grow indoors.  Start Indoors: In Early Spring Germination: 10-20 Days Plant Outdoors: 12” Apart Light: Full Sun     Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Patridge Pea is a widespread native that is found in the Midwest and Eastern US. It prefers dry soils and loves full sun. This is a host plant for many butterflies and attracts birds and pollinators, plus it is cover for beneficial insects. its seed pods are food for mnay songbirds.  It is a workhorse and can help improve soil with each year you allow it to grow and seed out for the next year.  If you are looking for natural solutions for nitrogen fixing, then this is a great option.  Botanical Names: Chamaecrista fasciculata Characteristics:  Annual, Self-seeding Plants grow to 1-3.5 feet tall Yellow blooms Prefers mosit and well draining dry soils, can be growin in clay if not in standing water.  1 gram or ~110 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Direct sow when the soil can be worked. If you can cold stratify the seed it will help increase your germination rates substantially.   Sow 1/4 deep Germination 8-17 days after cold stratifcation Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Leadplant - Plants like Leadplant are amazingly beneficial in your gardens and beds. It looks great, is functional by adding nitrogen back to your soil and is a pollinatore and butterfly magent while in blooms. If you are looking for natural solutions for nitrogen fixing, then this is a great option. The silvery leaves add a contrast color to your gardens. Its roots also go deeper than 12' making it ideal for drought situations and erosion control.  Botanical Names: Amorahpa canescens Characteristics:  Annual, Self-seeding Plants grow to 2-3.5 feet tall Purple blooms It tolerates and grows in almost any soil except standing water.  1 gram or ~350 Seeds per packet  Instructions - For increased germination, Leadplant seed should be stratified and scarified. Pour ~180 degrees F water over the seed, let it soak it overnight, and direct sowing it in the fall. If sowing in spring then mix the seed with sand sand and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 weeks, 6 is best. Soak it overnight and direct sow after the last frost. Alternatively, start the seed indoors, sow it just below the surface of a flat; keep the soil evenly moist and around 70 degrees F. Germination should take place within 20-30 days.  Sow 1/12 deep (need slight to germinate) Germination 20-30 days after cold stratifcation Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

White Prairie Clover - A less frequent flowering clover but no less hardy. It adds diversity to your landscape and wildlife plantings. It is adapatable to many soil types and is commonly used in prairie restoration and wildlife plantings.  It blooms non stop from mid summer to fall.   Botanical Name: Dalea candida Characteristics:  Perennial Hardy to zone 3 Plant heigh is 1-3' tall White blossoms mid-summer through fall Nitrogen Fixing Plant to improve soil health 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - Easy to grow when direct-seeded into a weed-free seedbed in mid-spring to early summer. Very drought tolerant once established. Alternative is to grow indoors.  Start Indoors: In Early Spring Germination: 10-20 Days Plant Outdoors: 12” Apart Light: Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability