Seeds - Vegetables

We are waiting in this one to be in stock and are accepting orders. If your order is more than $20 we will ship this on out separately and not hold up the rest of your order.  The Seed Savers Exchange - Donated to SSE in 2005 by Maynard Kropf, grandson of Amish Mennonites Samuel and Ella May Kropf. They acquired it circa 1930 from a man in Stewardson, Illinois, and it became a family favorite. Tender green softball-sized heads with round leaves and a pleasantly sweet flavor. Butterhead, 50-60 days. Characteristics:  Organic Heads grow to the size of a softball Soft texture and sweet flavor Butterhead lettuce 50-60 days 500 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.

Seed Exchange - A favorite of Seed Savers Exchange staff! This heirloom collard dates to at least 1935 and produces green, elliptical, tender leaves with a sweet, slightly fruity taste. The plants measure 15-22" tall by 22-35" wide and fare well in low temperatures. It was originally grown by Ellen Felton of Beaufort County, North Carolina, and acquired by SSE from the USDA in 2016. 60-80 days.  Organic From the Seed Savers Exchange Collection 150 seeds   On a Mission This heirloom collard dates back to at least 1935 in Beaufort County, North Carolina where it was grown by Ellen Felton. Ellen’s son, Harrell, continued to grow and save seed of this variety every year. In 2003, Harrell shared seeds of his mother’s variety with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Recognizing that this seed-saving tradition was in decline, the USDA embarked on a collard seed search in the Carolinas. Researchers drove many hundreds of miles and met several dozen home gardeners, like Harrell, who shared treasured, family heirloom varieties. Seed Savers Exchange is honored to bring this variety out of our bank and into the hands of gardeners. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" Apart  

Seed Exchange - Our very best snap bean for fresh eating, freezing, or processing, the Empress bean offers incredible flavor. The vigorous plants produce heavy yields of large, straight, green, 5-6” stringless pods. Plant in succession for fresh beans throughout the season. Introduced by Gurney’s in 1979 as Experimental Bean 121 and later renamed Empress. Bush habit, snap, 55 days BEST SELLER Organic Our best fresh-eating snap bean Bush habit 5-6" stringless pods Heavy yields Snap bean 55 days 50 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Planting Depth 1" Rows 36-48" apart

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - 130 days. [Family heirloom from Erlene Melancon in east Texas. Erlene said that she has been spinning green cotton for years and that her grandmother loved using colored cotton in her quilts.] The fibers are light olive green and can be spun off the seed. Harvest the bolls shortly after they open so that the fiber does not fade in the sunlight. Once it is spun and washed it turns yellowish-green. 5 ft. tall plants. Pkt (16-20 seeds)Cannot ship to TX, CA, GA, or SC. Some other southeastern states require a waiver or permit; contact your extension agency for more information. Instructions - Cotton is an annual plant that requires a long, warm growing season to mature properly. Needs full sun. In zones 8-10 it can be sown directly after the last frost. In zones 5-7, treat like tomatoes, start seed indoors and transplant out 4-8 week-old seedlings after last frost. Seed germinates in 7-21 days at 70 degrees F. Plant 18-30 in. apart in rows 5 ft. apart. Plants start flowering in mid-summer. Bolls take a few more months to mature; warm late summer weather is necessary for a good crop. Plants grow to 3-7 ft. tall. Harvest: Wait for bolls to split open before harvesting. (Note: bolls that split open after a frost are damaged and immature.) Seed Savers: Isolate varieties by 1/8 mile for home use, or 1/4 to 1/2 mile or greater for pure seed. Virginia gardeners must acquire a permit to grow cotton. For more information, contact your nearest extension agent. Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Brought from Germany in the late 1800s by the family of Joseph J. Bratka of Elmwood Park, New Jersey. Smooth, round 4-5 ounce blemish-free fruits with cherry red flesh. Very good flavor. Healthy plants and foliage does well in humid areas. Indeterminate, 75 days from transplant. ±11,100 seeds/oz. Characteristics:  Smooth, round fruits are blemish-free Fruits grow to 4-5 ounces Cherry red flesh Very good flavor Does well in humid areas Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 75 days from transplant ±11,100 seeds/oz 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

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange  - This hardy white bunching onion is highly resistant to freezing and may be left in the ground year-round. Has resistance to thrips, smut, and pink root. This is a first-class perennial onion which needs only occasional division of clumps once established. . Characteristics:  Soft White Flesh 60 days  Organic 1 gram or Approx 450 seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; or in mild growing areas, sow seeds in fall to overwinter for spring growth. To Start Transplants: sow 1 in. apart in a container of seed starting mix and cover about 1/4 in. deep. Provide a strong light source until seedlings are 2 to 3 in. tall. Transplant 4 in. apart, burying crowns 1 in. deep. To Start Outdoors: sow seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Space 1 in. apart in rows 8 in. apart. Cover 1/4 in. deep, firm soil well over seeds, and keep evenly moist. Thin seedlings gradually to final 4 in. spacing, using the tasty thinnings.  Plant In: January - April  Full Sun  Plant rows 1 inch apart  Plant 1/4" deep 10-14 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

This beloved heirloom is back! The Seed Savers Exchange - This highly productive and beautiful yardlong bean bears pale-violet flowers and pods uniformly distributed throughout the plants. Tall vines require a strong trellis, with each stalk producing 1-2 solid-green pods encasing 16-20 brown-red, kidney-shaped seeds. Tender, juicy pods mature mid-season, reach 2' long, and have excellent flavor. This cowpea is especially delicious when eaten as a tender green bean. Grown by Vasco Marconi since at least the late 1950s in Chicago, this variety has been stewarded by family member Patti Trotsky of Naperville, Illinois, since the late 1990s. Patti donated seeds to Seed Savers Exchange in 2013. 70-80 days to maturity. Organic. Organic & Open-Pollinated Highly productive vines with violet flowers Green pods grow up to 24 inches long with 16-20 seeds each Delicious as a tender green bean New for 2021 50 Seeds per packet Instructions - Cowpeas thrive in hot temperatures and full sun. Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has fully warmed. Thin to 3-6" apart. Seeds will germinate in 5-7 days. Direct Seed: 2" Apart Direct Seed: 1" Deep Rows Apart: 36-48" 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)

The Living Seed Company - This Habanero-type heirloom originated from the Central African Republic.  Delicious citrus flavor and few seeds.  Golden-orange, three inch long fruits on very sturdy plants.  Grow in a pot and overwinter inside. 250,000 - 300,000 Scoville heat units. Orange fruits grow to 4 inches Excellent flavor Highly productive Heavy yields Hot Pepper: 250,000-300,000 Scoville heat units 90 days from transplant 25 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 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

  The Living Seed Company - A small seeded fava bean with a big delicious taste. Selected by Steve Solomon for great flavor. Favas are wonderful cover crops and this one is also excellent for your culinary adventures. Has a superb flavor when eaten fresh. It is also a very good dry bean for soups, stews and the like. Very cold hardy, down to 10 degrees F. Organic Bush Bean 65-100 days 50 seeds 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 4-6" apart Planting Depth 1" Thin 6" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This heirloom variety has been stewarded and preserved by members of the Feaster family of rural Shiloh, Florida (Marion County), since the Civil War. This green-leaved mustard is mild and slightly sweet when cooked and was donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Jerome Feaster in 2014. Bearing long, broad, smooth, upright leaves with a toothed margin, these plants reach 20-25" tall and 16-18" wide. Characteristics: Mild flavor Plants reach 20-25" tall and 16-18" wide A family favorite since the Civil War 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - You can directly seed your mustards into the ground, placing 3 seeds every 8 inches. Plant them 3 months before your first frost in rows 18-30 inches apart. The seeds should be planted 1/4-1/2 inches deep. As they grow, thin them to 1 plant every 8-10 inches. Mustards may bolt early if planted in the spring.  Start Indoors: 6 weeks before the last frost  Direct Seed: 1/2" Deep Thin: 1-6" Apart Plant Outdoors: 6-8” Apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Seed Savers Exchange - Originated in Hungary. All-around excellent paprika pepper for quality and performance. Extremely productive plants produce 3" by 4-5" long fruits that have exceptionally sweet flesh, up to 12 fruits per plant. 80-85 days from transplant. Sweet. ±5,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics  Fruits ripen from white to orange to red Fruits grow to 5 inches Excellent paprika pepper Dwarf plant Sweet pepper 80-85 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet 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 the soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant Rows 12-24” Apart Germinates in 14 days Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability