New Heirloom Seeds

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

Alabama Black Butterbeans -  Starts shipping 10/22 - Alabama Black Butterbean history is tied to a farmer named Sam Reid of Blount County, Alabama. He offered this seed in 1995 and placed an ad in the Alabama Farmers Bulletin. Bill Peters of Alabaster, Al answered the ad and obtained this cool seed. I lived in the neighboring town in the mid 2000's, Chelsea, Alabama and this is where I first tried and heard the name - Alabama Black Butterbeans.  I never did get any seeds as life gets crazy and years later I regretted it. It was always in the back of my mind to find these seeds. The seeds were found and amazingly hyper local as my friend Craig (of Hillsboro, WI) actually had this seed and shared some with me as he obtained seeds years prior. I grew my first crop in 2025 and boy did it ever flourish   We are lucky to have one of the rarest heirlooms in our collection.  Characteristics:  Good for the North and Great for the South Rarear Popular Lima We Offer Pole Lima bean Medium sized black seeds 85 days for eating, 105 for dried 25 seeds or enough to do 10-12' of fence. 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 2-3" apart or 6" apart if you want to skip thinning. We hold a few seeds back in case we have any gaps.  Planting Depth 1" Rows Apart: 48-72" or we just run them down our fence line.  Full Sun

Paprika is so much more flavorful when grown and dried from your home garden. The freshness of the peppers and using your paprika powders right when ready will spoil any cook. This collection is all about paprika with one exception, the Beaver Dam Pepper. The Beaver Dam Pepper is recognized as a Slow Food The Ark of Taste variety so we want to do our part and share it. Also Included in this collection is our Black Hungarian Pepper, Magyar Paprika Pepper, Hungarian Paprika Pepper, Feherozon Paprika Improved Pepper, plus the aforementioned Beaver Dam Pepper which has Hungarian roots.  Characteristics:  Black Hungarian Pepper, Magyar Paprika Pepper, Hungarian Paprika Pepper, Feherozon Paprika Improved Pepper, Beaver Dam Pepper All Open-Pollinated and Non-GMO 10-15 seeds of each variety, except Magyar which has 7 seeds. It is a rarer variety.  Instructions -  Peppers prefer light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields.  Start transplants 6-8 weeks before the planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2” or larger cells after the first set of true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F.  For growing transplants, maintain the temperature at around 75°F during the day and 65°F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing the temperature to 60-65°F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18" apart on 5-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either the unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage.  Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer.  Store peppers at 50° - 54°F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45°F.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's 2026 Tasty Tomatoes Seed Collection- This collection of heirloom and wonderfully tasty tomatoes is exactly what every home gardener is looking for - tomatoes with all the flavor and easy to grow! You will recevie 10 seeds for each variety inlcuding our limited time bonus. All your tomato seeds are enclosed in our Currated Tomato Gift Envelope with planting instructions - perfect for gifting or for yourself.  And for our Early Black Friday Special we are adding our Amish Paste Heirloom Tomato while supplies last!  The Seed Collection Includes 5 varieties + 1 bonus variety through Cyber Monday (or before if we run out)!  Artisan Tiger Blush Tomato German Pink Heirloom Tomato Indigo Apple Tomato Yellow Brandywine Heirloom Tomato Matina Heirloom Tomato Limited Time Offer - We are adding 6th Variety, Amish Paste Heirloom, that makes incredible sauces!  Amish Paste Heirloom Tomato Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Early BFCM  Pricing Starts Today -  Firefly Farm & Mercantile's Weekend Warrior Gardener - You work and play hard, so this garden supports that lifestule. Easy to grow varieites, many are heirlooms, will provide vegetables and flowers all summer long. We took 10 of our favorite varieties and put them together in one seed collection. Each seed packet lists the instructions for that specific variety. This seed collection allows you to save your seed as the entire collection is Open-Pollinated and always Non-GMO at Firefly Farm & Mercantile.  Strike Bush Bean (Snap Beans) - 50 Seeds Little Gem Lettuce - 100 Seeds Matina Heirloom Tomatoes (Slicing)- 10 Seeds  Blush Tomatoes (Grape) - 10 Seeds Wisconsin Lakes Sweet Peppers - 10 Seeds Green Finger Cucumbers - 25 Seeds Costata Romensco Zuchinni - 10 Seeds Sweet Basil - 40 Seeds Nasturium Mix - 25 Seeds Large Flowering Dahlia Zinnia Mix - 50 Seeds Upgrade to the Weekend Warrior Gardener Extended Season for 4 more seed types that love the cool weather for just $12 more.  Sweet Gem Snap Peas (40 seeds) French Breakfast Radish (200 Seeds) Kale - matched for your growing zone (50 Seeds) Bloomsdale Spinach (100 Seeds)  On the rare occasion we are out, we will substitute a variety that is similar will work great in your garden. 

Aji Peppers are filled with tons of flavors and mild to medium heat. Aji Cinchi Amarillo are the hottest of this collection measuring 30k-50k Scoville ratings. Aji Limon is in the middle at 15k-30k and has a beautiful citrus flavor! Aji Dulce are mild at under 1k Scoville ratings but packed with so much flavor, we find ourselves adding this to everything!  Holiday Bonus of Aji Cristal for all orders through 2025! Characteristics:  Aji Limon, Aji Dulce and Aji Cinchi Amarillo are part of this collection Open-Pollinated and Non-GMO 10-15 seeds of each variety  Instructions -  Peppers prefer light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields.  Start transplants 6-8 weeks before the planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2” or larger cells after the first set of true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F.  For growing transplants, maintain the temperature at around 75°F during the day and 65°F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing the temperature to 60-65°F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18" apart on 5-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either the unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage.  Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer.  Store peppers at 50° - 54°F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45°F.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's United States Heirloom Seeds From Your State Collection- Heirlooms come from all over the world and right here in the United States we have some of hte most remarkable heirlooms. This collection focuses on providing heirlooms on a state by state basis. We do not have all states selected but we are making it our mission to find heirlooms for all 50 states to offer them here. All your seeds (2 full packets) will be in our custom United States Artwork envelope so it is perfect for gifts. We use seeds from our various seed companies or ones we grow and pack ourselves. Also included is a summary of the history of your heirloom seed. Your seed packets may contain beans, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, herbs, greens and more, our collection is diverse! Every state offers so many wonderful unique heirlooms, start discovery yours today.  Other Heirloom State Collections with their states we offer.  Northeast:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersy, New Hampshire Mid-Atlantic: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tenessee, Kentucky Midwest: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North and South Dakota Southeast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina  West Coast: California, Washington Lower Central: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's United States Heirloom Seeds From Your State Collection- Heirlooms come from all over the world and right here in the United States we have some of hte most remarkable heirlooms. This collection focuses on providing heirlooms on a state by state basis. We do not have all states selected but we are making it our mission to find heirlooms for all 50 states to offer them here. All your seeds (2 full packets) will be in our custom United States Artwork envelope so it is perfect for gifts. We use seeds from our various seed companies or ones we grow and pack ourselves. Also included is a summary of the history of your heirloom seed. Your seed packets may contain beans, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, herbs, greens and more, our collection is diverse! Every state offers so many wonderful unique heirlooms, start discovery yours today.  Other Heirloom State Collections with their states we offer.  Northeast:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersy, New Hampshire Mid-Atlantic: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tenessee, Kentucky Midwest: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North and South Dakota Southeast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina  West Coast: California, Washington Lower Central: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Potawatomi Lima Bean - A vigorous and heavy producer. In our zone 4 garden we plenty to eat and plenty to raise for seed.   If you want to try limas for the first time, this would be one of my top choices. We grow this variety in our heirloom gardens at Firefly Farm & Mercantile in Cashton, Wisconsin.  The Potawatomi lima was stewarded by the Potawatomi Nations of southern Michigan. They are one of the top limas for the north. They can be braised, boiled, or sauted fresh. They always provide us with creamy and delicious dishes.   Characteristics:  Good for the North and Great for the South Prolific producer Pole Lima bean 85 days for eating, 105 for dried 10 or 25 seeds or enough to do 10-12' of fence 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 2-3" apart or 6" apart if you want to skip thinning. We hold a few seeds back in case we have any gaps.  Planting Depth 1" Rows Apart: 48-72" or we just run them down our fence line.  Full Sun

Seedsaver's Exchange - Eduardo Valenzuela, an Exchange lister from California, donated this variety to Seed Savers Exchange circa 2006 Peruvian Ground Cherries are smaller and more tart as compares to their European counterpart.  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 

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's United States Heirloom Seeds From Your State Collection- Heirlooms come from all over the world and right here in the United States we have some of hte most remarkable heirlooms. This collection focuses on providing heirlooms on a state by state basis. We do not have all states selected but we are making it our mission to find heirlooms for all 50 states to offer them here. All your seeds (2 full packets) will be in our custom United States Artwork envelope so it is perfect for gifts. We use seeds from our various seed companies or ones we grow and pack ourselves. Also included is a summary of the history of your heirloom seed. Your seed packets may contain beans, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, herbs, greens and more, our collection is diverse! Every state offers so many wonderful unique heirlooms, start discovery yours today.  Other Heirloom State Collections with their states we offer.  Northeast:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersy, New Hampshire Mid-Atlantic: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tenessee, Kentucky Midwest: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North and South Dakota Southeast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina  West Coast: California, Washington Lower Central: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's United States Heirloom Seeds From Your State Collection- Heirlooms come from all over the world and right here in the United States we have some of hte most remarkable heirlooms. This collection focuses on providing heirlooms on a state by state basis. We do not have all states selected but we are making it our mission to find heirlooms for all 50 states to offer them here. All your seeds will (2 filled packets) be in our custom United States Artwork envelope so it is perfect for gifts. We use seeds from our various seed companies or ones we grow and pack ourselves. Also included is a summary of the history of your heirloom seed. Your seed packets may contain beans, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, herbs, greens and more, our collection is diverse! Every state offers so many wonderful unique heirlooms, start discovery yours today.  Other Heirloom State Collections with their states we offer.  Northeast:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersy, New Hampshire Mid-Atlantic: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tenessee, Kentucky Midwest: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North and South Dakota Southeast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina  West Coast: California, Washington Lower Central: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Holiday Pricing - Starts Shipping 12/17.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile's Feast for Families- We took some of our favorites and most reliable varieties and put them altogether in this collection so your garden provides plenty of produce from mid spring to after frost. The flowers help attract pollinators and host beneficial bugs for your garden. This will help increase your harvests all summer long.  Each seed packet lists the instructions for that specific variety. This seed collection allows you to save your seed as the entire collection is Open-Pollinated and always Non-GMO at Firefly Farm & Mercantile.  Strike Bush Bean (Snap Beans) - 50 Seeds Ideal Market Pole Beans (Snap Beans) - 25 Seeds Dragon Carrot - 200 Seeds Little Gem Lettuce - 100 Seeds Yugoslavian Red Lettuce - 100 Seeds German Pink Heirloom Tomatoes (Slicing)- 10 Seeds  Indigo Apple Tomatoes (Sauces, Slicing) - 10 Seeds Blush Tomatoes (Grape) - 10 Seeds Golden Treasure Italian Sweet Peppers - 10 Seeds Waltham Butternut Winter Squash - 10 Seeds Summer Croockneck Yellow Squash - Seeds Marketmore 76 Cucumbers - 25 Seeds Costata Romensco Zuchinni - 10 Seeds Bloomsdale Spinach - 100 Seeds French Breakfast Radishes - 200 Seeds Sweet Basil - 40 Seeds Bouquet Dill - 100 Seeds Borage - 20 Seeds, Loved by Pollinators Nasturium Mix - 25 Seeds Large Flowering Dahlia Zinnia Mix - 50 Seeds Upgrade for these four kid favorites!  Sweet Gem Snap Peas (40 seeds) Formula Mix Sunflowers (50 Seeds) Rattlesnake Pole Beans (25 Seeds) Dwarf Mix Cosmos (50 Seeds)  On the rare occasion we are out, we will substitute a variety that is similar will work great in your garden. 

Large Barred Boar Tomato - This tomato exceeded our expectations of how many tomatoes we harvested. The fruits are heart shaped and multi-colored skin that Brad Gates is known for!  Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Fruits grow 8-12 oz Slicing, sauces tomato Fruit ripens throughout the season 80 days from transplant 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 the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Support: Cage, stake, or trellis Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Aji Rico Hot Pepper  -  This is a new pepper that was released in 2017 by the Pan American Seed Company.  It ripens faster than most hot peppers for its size making it an excellent choice for short season gardens.  hard to reproduce, this one seems stable enough from year 1 and even received the prestigious American Award Selections.  Plants reach 40-48" in height, the fruit is 4-6" long and has a Scoville rating of 5,000 but can be a little higher. The flavor profile is citrusy and sweet.  Our  farm grown seed is on the 5th year and is relatively stable.  We will also offer seed from High Mowing Organics for purchase in December 2026 Characteristics:  Non-GMO, F1 Hybrid but is stable. 4-6" Long Fruits, broadshoulders and slight taper to the base. 85 days 10 Seeds Instructions - Peppers prefer light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields. Start transplants 6-8 weeks before the planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2” or larger cells after the first set of true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F.  For growing transplants, maintain the temperature at around 75°F during the day and 65°F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing the temperature to 60-65°F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18" apart on 5-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either the unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage.  Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer. Store peppers at 50° - 54°F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45°F.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Aunt Lucy's Italian Paste Tomato - This tomato was brought to the United States many years ago by Toni Cassel's Aunt Lucy, hence the name. Aunt Lucy grew this tomato back in Italy and brought it with her when she emmigrated to the United States. The shape of the tomato is more of  large cherry with 2" round fruit but it does act like a paste tomato when cooking. The flavor is a bright and cherry tomato that will keep your taste buds satisfied with its balance of acidity and tartness, reminiscent of the old world Italian tomatoes.  It is resistant to blight and has not had any issues of blossom end rot or other fungal diseases.  Ready to harvest when soft to the touch and yellow-green steioes. Indeterminate, 80-95 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  2oz sized fruite High production paste tomato  Disease resistant  Crack resistant  80-95 days from transplant 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 the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Support: Cage, stake, or trellis   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Matina Tomato - This is such a robust producer and is one of the first slicers to set fruit and be ready around mid July for us in zone 4. The flavor is absolutely what is needed in a tomato - sweet, juicy, balanced acidity, and fruity.  Matina is a an indeterminate potato leaf variety, and her fruit is 4-7oz. I would recommend her in the south as she does not stop flowering no matter the heat we receive in Wisconsin  Characteristics:  Green fruits grow 4-7 oz Salads and Slicer hot tomato Fruit ripens throughout the season Sets fruit in hot weather 45-55 days from transplant 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 the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Support: Cage, stake, or trellis

Firefly Farm & Mercantile's Peppers of Italy Seed Collection- This collection of heirloom peppers with Italian roots will have your taste buds hopping. You will receive 10 heirloom pepper seeds of each variety. Each pepper has a unique story and is included in our Peppers of Italy Gift Envelope with your heirloom seeds.  And for our Early Black Friday Special we are adding our Italian Marconi Peppers while supplies last!  The Seed Collection Includes 5 varieties + 1 Bonus through Cyber Monday (or before if we run out) Tolli's Italian Sweet Pepper (Sweet) Ralph Thompson's Squash Pepper (Medium heat) Golden Treasure Pepper (Sweet) Jimmy Nardello's Peppers (Sweet) Ausilio Thin Skinned Peppers (Medium heat) Limited Time Offer - We are adding 6th Variety through Cyber Monday or while seed supply lasts!  Marconi Pepper (Sweet) 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Looking for a highly productive cucumber that tastes great fresh or pickled? Then this mild, crisp variety is for you! Fruits measure 7" in length and 2 ½" in diameter and turn from greenish-white to ivory and, finally, to slightly yellow at maturity. This historic variety continues to produce even in hot weather; it was introduced in 1893 by W. Atlee Burpee of Philadelphia from seeds obtained from a customer in New York state and is also known as ‘Albino’ and ‘Long White.’ 58 days. Conventional Tolerates heat Grows well in most regions of the United States Instructions - When growing plants on a trellis, space seed 6-8" apart and thin plants as necessary; train plants to climb the trellis with initial guidance. Alternatively, make 12" hills at least 6' apart. Plant 6-8 cucumber seeds per hill 1" deep. After germination, thin to 3-4 plants per hill. Can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Cucumbers benefit from steady moisture. Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants 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)

Dark Galaxy Tomato - What an incredible tomato! The color and taste is absolutely great. As the tomato ripens it gets these starry notes on it that give it an ethereal galatical view, hence the name. The creator of this is Brad Gates from Wild Boar Farms and this year we have a few of his tomatoes we are offering this year. The fruit is 1-3 oz in size.  The fruit starts off green and then the blossom end starts to turn red while the tops exposed to the sun darken in color to near black and purple. At the peak of ripeness the two ends meet and create a beautiful tomato skin. We will be planting quite a few of these next season.  It did not have any issues of blight, blossom end rot or other fungal diseases.  Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Fruits grow 1-3 oz Slicing tomato Fruit ripens throughout the season 80 days from transplant 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 the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Support: Cage, stake, or trellis Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability