Other Vegetable Seeds

The Seed Savers Exchange - The straight, green, downy pods of this variety are intermediate in length and width and are best eaten when under 5" long. Seed Savers Exchange member Dr. James Wolfe received the variety from the Simpson family of Rogersville, Tennessee. D.V. (Simpson) Thomas remembers her mother, Nora, growing this okra as far back as the early 1940s. 50-70 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Harvest as early as 50 days 100 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.  Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - 102 days. One of the earliest-maturing varieties for the South, and one of the most widely grown varieties in the southern mountains. Grows 6-8 ft. tall; susceptible to lodging if not harvested early. Used for early production of very good quality syrup. Small packet has about 350 seeds. Characteristics:  A mix of many varieties in multiple colors Nice addition to floral arrangements 100-110 days 7 grams or ~350 seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but prefers a long, frost-free growing season. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 1" deep after danger of frost has passed. For good pollination and full ears, plant in blocks of 3-6 rows instead of one long row. Thin seedlings to 8" apart. Corn is a heavy feeder and does best in well-drained fertile soil with plenty of water.  Direct Seed: 4" Apart Germination: 4-21 Days Rows Apart: 36-48" Light: Full Sun      Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Solanum burbankii) (aka Wonderberry) Bred by Luther Burbank in the early 1900s; offered by seedsman John Lewis Childs as Wonderberry in 1909. Great controversy ensued over the plant’s provenance and true identity, and Burbank’s reputation was badly damaged. Prolific bushy plants loaded with small, slightly sweet, dull blue berries. 50-75 days. Characteristics:  Organic Small, slightly sweet, dull blue berries Prolific bushy plants 50-75 days 50 seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors 24" apart in rows 36" apart. Sunberries tolerate a wide variety of climates and conditions, but do not tolerate frost. Plants are self-supporting, but sprawl over a large area. Cage or trellis when space is limited. Start indoors 6 weeks before the last frost Germinate 14-21 days Plant 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Beautiful 3-5 ft. plants with red stems and leaf veins. The bright red calyxes can be used to make “zingy” tea, sauce, syrup, or jam, or candied whole for an unusual treat. For strongly flavored teas, simmer for 10-20 minutes. Roselle was called “Florida cranberry” in the 1890s. The flowers and young leaves are edible and have a citrus tang. The stir-fried greens are much used in Burmese cooking! Space plants 3-6 ft. apart – the wider the spacing, the more calyxes will ripen. The only variety in several trials to begin flowering by mid-summer here in Virginia. Small (0.6 g) packet has about 20 seeds. (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Characteristics:  3-5' tall and wide Zingy Flavor Easy to grow  Approx 20 seeds   Instructions - Frost-tender perennial. Germination: 75-85°F, 7-14 days. Transplant after last frost. Full sun. 36-60 in. tall. Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Flavorful, sweet, 5-7 in. stout parsnips with smooth white skin. Short, stout roots are good for heavy clay soils. This hardy root vegetable develops a sweet, nut-like flavor after it has been heavily frosted. Parsnips were once a common vegetable at the dinner table and they deserve to come back in style. In the 1800s parsnips were often used to make marmalade and wine. Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the South-East  From Small Farms  Instructions - Sow seed in spring as soon as soil can be worked; sow within a few weeks of last spring frost at the latest. Seeds may take 2-3 weeks to germinate and soil must not dry out. Radishes may be used to prevent soil crusting and to mark the location. Parsnips are even slower to germinate in hot soil and will be overwhelmed by weeds before they can germinate, so plant early! A heavy frost may be necessary for full flavor development. Roots may be harvested or left in place during the winter for use in the spring. For a winter supply place roots horizontally in small boxes filled with garden soil or sand. Bring a box inside to thaw as needed. Plant 1/2 in. deep in raised beds  Thin: 4-6 in. each way  You can also plant in rows 18 in. apart with plants thinned to 4 in.  Well-drained soil    Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Brought to the Americas from Africa during the slave trade. Grown by Jefferson at Monticello. Once the standard for southern peas, this variety is drought-tolerant and will grow in almost all soils. 5 ft. vines produce extended harvests of 7-9 in. green pods. Small seeds are light brown with dark speckles, good eaten green or dried. Small packet has about 85 seeds. 72 days. Vigna unguiculata Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the South-East  85 seeds Instructions - Need warm soil to germinate; sow a month after the last frost. Grow in the same manner as pole beans or along a trellis, sow seeds 3/4 in. deep, 4 in. apart, thinning to 8 in. One planting along a tall trellis will produce well all season.  Easily grown Thrive in hot weather  Tolerant of a wide range of soils  Flavor - The flavor is similar to southern peas but with a drier, nutty quality. Sweet and mild, resembling the combined flavor of asparagus, mushrooms, and beans. Braid or tie into knots before cooking. The young leaves and stems are also edible.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Not available for 2024 but check out our other great options.  The Seed Savers Exchange- Pre-1860 variety. Pale green above ground globes with crisp white flesh. Sweet and mild with a flavor reminiscent of turnips. Best harvested at 2½" diameter. Excellent raw or steamed. 50-65 days. Characteristics:  Organic Green-skinned above ground bulbs Bulbs should be harvested at 2-3 inches in diameter Sweet turnip-like flavor Edible podded, 65-70 days. 250 Seeds   Instructions - Best grown in cooler weather. Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked and the danger of hard frost has passed. Can also be started indoors and transplanted out. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Kohlrabi is also an excellent fall crop. Direct Seed 1" apart Plant 1/4" deep Plant Rows 12-18" apart Thin to 4" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Green orach, best harvested when between 6" and 2' tall. Self-sows in the garden. This variety comes from Mark Walker and Kathy Kapitan, seed savers who have been listed on the SSE Yearbook Exchange since 1996. They received this orach from Mark's uncle, Gib Backlund, who obtained it from his father-in-law, George Bly. George's parents, Haldor and Ingeliv (Sekse) Bly, brought the orach to the U.S. when they emigrated from Norway to Minnesota in 1888. Characteristics:  Organic Best when harvested between 6" and 2' tall Self-sowing 150 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 2-3 weeks after the last frost. Harvest leaves that are 4-6" tall, harvest continually, and make successive plantings.  Direct Seed: 2" Apart Seed Depth: 1/2" Germination: 7-10 Days Thin: 6-8" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

This beloved one is a week out from arriving - it has by far been a fan favorite thus year. We have plenty more coming but it’s going to be slightly delayed. The Seed Savers Exchange - One of the unique varieties in SSE’s okra collection. Ivory-green pods grow to 7" long on vigorous 6' tall plants. Tender when young, delicious flavor. Great producer at Heritage Farm. 80 days. ±480 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Plants grow to 6 feet tall Ivory pods grow to 7 inches long Best harvested when pods are young 80days ±480 seeds/oz 100 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.  Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability