Seeds - Vegetables

This is a Firefly kid favorite! Our kids love the purple skin.  Seed Exchange - This carrot’s beautiful red-purple exterior provides a striking contrast to its yellow-orange interior and light yellow core. A treat for the eye when sliced, its sweet, almost spicy, flavor makes this carrot a home gardener’s favorite and a best-seller at specialty and farmers’ markets. Considered the most refined purple carrot available, it was bred by Seed Savers Exchange member John Navazio. 90 days. Best-seller Red-purple skin Yellow-orange interior Exceptionally sweet, almost spicy 90 days ±250 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors before 3-4  weeks of last frost or soil can be worked. Plant 1/2" apart Plant 1/4" Deep Plant Rows 16-24" apart Thin 2-4" Apart

The Seed Savers Exchange - ‘Drotts Yellow’ boasts a tasty, sweet, fruity flavor that sets it apart from other ground cherries. Its husks turn first yellow and then brown at peak maturity, when the half-inch fruits drop to the ground from large, sprawling, and highly productive plants. Exchange lister Thomas Jerde acquired this variety in 1986 when he bought a home in Minneapolis from the Albert Drotts family and discovered the ground cherry growing in the garden. 55 days from transplant to ripe fruit. Organic. Characteristics:  Organic Prolific and super sweet Fruits grow to ½ to ¾ inch Fruits have a papery husk Sweet variety that stores well 70 days from transplant 50 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. 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 12-18" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Drunken Woman Looseleaf Lettuce - Gorgeous bright green leaves with ruffled - almost fringed - edges in deep bronze. Crisp texture, very beautiful with sweet taste. Slow to bolt. Characteristics:  Organic Slow to bolt Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 55 days .5g, 400 -600 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 - Gorgeous finely curled blue-green leaves hold their color even in severe cold. Uniform low-growing plants are 15" tall with a 20-35" spread. Very hardy; will overwinter with mulch in zones 4-5. Ornamental and delicious. High in vitamin A. 53-65 days from transplant. ±8,900 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Organic Finely curled blue-green leaves Plants grow to 15 inches high High in vitamin A Can be overwintered with mulch as far north as Zone 4 53-65 days from transplant 150 seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germinate 3-10 days Plant Rows 24" apart  Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Standard early variety developed by George Sparks of Salem, New Jersey, and introduced in 1900 by Johnson and Stokes. Clusters of 4-5 ounce fruits. Very good flavor. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Clusters of 4-5 ounce fruits Very good flavor Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 80 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet 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 weeks before the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant Outdoors: 24-36” Apart Support: Cage, stake, or trellis Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Available as early as 1825 from seedsmen such as Sinclair & Moore of Baltimore, MD. Good all-purpose variety with dark red flesh that is sweet, crisp, and tender. Excellent market and home garden variety for summer and autumn use. Now relatively rare. 48-68 days. ±2,500 seeds/oz. Very dark red color Crisp and tender Excellent market and home garden variety For summer and autumn use 48-68 days 100 seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Seeds will germinate in 5-10 days. Can be planted at two-week intervals for continuous harvests. All parts of the beet plant are edible. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart Thin: 4-6" 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)

Seed Exchange - Also known as Special Dark Green, this variety was introduced around 1910 by the Jerome B. Rice Seed Company of Cambridge, New York. It originated with George Starr of Royal Oak, Michigan, who discovered it in a crop of Davis Perfect (now extinct). Fruits measure 8" long. 55-60 days. Best Seller Organic Fruits grow up to 8 inches Dark green skin 55-60 days 25 Seeds   Instructions - When growing plants on a trellis, space seed 6-8" apart and thin plants as necessary; train plants to climb the trellis with an 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 last frost. Cucumbers benefit from steady moisture. Plant 6-8 Seeds on a Hill Plant 1" Deep Thin to 3 or 4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This variety is also known as 'Extra Early Hanover' melon. It was first introduced in 1895 by T.W. Woods & Sons of Richmond, Virginia. Some say that it has attained immense popularity in that region. Melons were developed and domesticated in Africa and Asia. Europeans settling in the Americas are recorded growing honeydew and casaba melons in the 17th century. Characteristics: Fruits grow to 6 inches and 2-3 pounds Soft, green flesh Muskmelon flavor 25 Seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Melons love the heat. Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Plant 1" deep Plant hills, 6-8 seed Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

High Mowing Company - Prolific yields of flavorful blunt fruits with distinctive jalapeno flavor. Small, moderately spicy fruits with thick walls are traditionally harvested dark green but can be allowed to ripen to red. A classic eaten fresh or pickled with Mexican dishes! Compact plants are sturdy and work well in containers. Organic & Open-Pollinated Mildly Hot pepper 5,000 Scoville Units 65 days from transplant for green, 85 days for red 10 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinates in 14 days Plant Rows 12-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Early Moonbeam Watermelon - 76 days. Sweet, crisp yellow icebox melon, 5-8 lbs. Thin, light green rind. Short vines make this a great melon for small gardens. Developed by Alan Kapuler.  Characteristics:  Organic and Open-Pollinated 5-8 lbs Sweet flavor Space Spacing plant with short vines.  76 days to maturity 2grams - 20-60 Seeds per packet This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Early Prolific Straightneck Squash - a favorite and strong producer for every climate Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Looking for a short season squash that you can pick weeks after planting, then this is your pick. It is an AAS winner and will be sure to please all those squash snobs as its creamy taste and texture is wonderful.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Harvest at 3-7" 48 days  4g approx. 30-40 seeds on average   Instructions - Summer squashes are warm-season annuals. Plants need loose, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of nitrogen and a pH of 5.8-6.8. Fertilize seedlings with fish emulsion if leaves are yellow. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. The optimum soil temperature for germination is about 85ºF. Best quality fruit is harvested at 5 – 8” or smaller.  Plant 1/2-1" deep Space plants 12-24"  Plant rows 5-6'  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Early forcing radish for home or market gardeners, good for bunching. One-inch globes with bright red skin and white flesh. A sure cropper. Plant in the spring or fall. 20-28 days Characteristics:  Round red roots grow to 1 inch Red skin and white flesh Highly productive Good for bunching Fall/winter and spring radish 20-28 days 250 Seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Plant in full sun. Successive plantings can be made every 3-4 weeks throughout summer and fall to provide a continual harvest. Plant 1" apart Plant 1/2" deep Plant Rows 12" apart Thin 2-3" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This is an older melon, classified as an heirloom from Korea but there is not much history on it.  It has seeds in the middle like a cantaloupe and its flavors range from pear in the middle to cucumber on its edges. It is very productive and fruit weigh 1-2 lbs.  Melons were developed and domesticated in Africa and Asia. Europeans settling in the Americas are recorded growing honeydew and casaba melons in the 17th century.  Characteristics: Organic Fruits grow to 1-2 pounds Crisp, refreshing flesh Lightly sweet flavor 25 Seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Melons love the heat. Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Plant 1" deep Plant hills, 6-8 seed Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Seed Exchange - Smooth 6-7" heads of tightly formed white curds are solid, crisp, and tender. This variety is well-suited to being eaten raw, baked, roasted, or steamed. Can be overwintered for an early crop in warmer regions. Introduced to American gardeners in 1878 by Peter Henderson & Company. 60-85 days from transplant. Organic Crisp and tender white curds Heads grow to 6-7 inches across In warm regions it can be over-wintered 60-85 days from transplant 100 seeds Instructions  Cauliflowers are cool weather brassicas and should be timed for late spring harvests or fall and winter (mild climates) harvest. They can handle frosty conditions if acclimated before transplanting. Start 4-6 weeks before planting day. In general they can be planted 6 weeks before your average last frost.  Cauliflower prefer well-drained fertile soil that is within the range of 6.0-7.5 pH. A general guideline is 2-3 lbs of 8-16-16 fertilizer over 100 sq ft of the garden area two weeks before planting or 1-2” of compost.  If boron is not present in your soils, consider adding 1 Tbs per 100 sq ft.  Consider using row covers to protect from pests such as flea beetles and moths.  Loose, well-drained fertile soils  Plant 1/2" deep  Space plants 18" apart for fresh market Dress with compost every 30-45 days or you can use your favorite fertilizer.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - aka Eden Gem, Rocky Ford Eden Gem, Early maturing variety developed in 1905 at Rocky Ford, Colorado as a “crate melon.” Amy Goldman, author of Melons for the Passionate Grower, claims this is one of her all-time favorites and “may cause drooling.” Softball-sized netted fruits weigh in at about 1 pound. Complex spicy flavor. 65-80 days. ±1,100 seeds/oz. Characteristics:  Organic Fruits grow to softball size Flesh is green and skin is netted Complex, spicy flavor 65-80 days 25 Seeds per packet    Instructions - Melons love heat. Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost. Plant 1" deep Plant hills, 6-8 seed Germinate 7-14 days Thin 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability