Seeds - Vegetables

Carl Barnes, a Seedsavers Exchange member, worked to develop this strain of glass colored kernals.  They are used in crafts, decor, cornmeal and popcorn.  The work on improving the corn continues with Greg Schoen.  1-2 ears per stalk, ears are 6-8 long and plants grow to 8' tall.  Late maturing 110 days. We source this from a variety of places depending on availability.  Organic & Open Pollinated Flint/Popcorn 1-2 ears per stalk, each 6-8" long Plants 8-10' tall 110 days ~50 Seeds per pack 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 We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

The Seed Savers Exchange - From Ohio tomato collector, Ben Quisenberry, who described it in his 1976 catalog: “The sweetest tomato you ever tasted. The yellow with streaks of red makes them very attractive and a gourmet’s joy when sliced.” Our finest bi-colored tomato—orange-yellow splashed with red. Winner of the 2008 SSE Tomato Tasting. Indeterminate, 75-90 days from transplant. ±13,700 seeds/oz. Characteristics:  Bi-colored fruits are orange-yellow with red Fruits are large and flattened Flesh is streaked with red and flavorful Indeterminate -Fruit ripens throughout the season 75-90 days from transplant 50 seeds in 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 - A member of the beet family grown for its edible leaves and stalks.If you love gold in your gardens (edible or ornamental) then grab a packet of this one.  Characteristics:  Organic Tender leaves Bright Gold veins and stalks Ornamental and delicious Can be grown in containers 100 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in early spring when the soil temperature is at least 50°F. Can also be started indoors 5-6 weeks before transplanting out. Grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Swiss chard withstands light frost. Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart (or can be grown closer if you like the leaves smaller and harvest for salads vs cooking - we start out at 10" spacing for late spring leaves to munch on then pull up every other one to grow them larger) Thin 12" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Exchange - Producing an early crop for home gardeners and market growers, this historic variety has an excellent sweet flavor and is ideal for freezing and fresh eating. The original strain of Golden Bantam was introduced by W. Atlee Burpee in 1902, and this improved strain was selected for even longer ears and greater tenderness. 70-85 days. Organic Tender, sweet kernels Ideal for freezing and fresh eating Sweet corn 70-85 days 100 Seeds  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. Plant 4" apart Plant 1" Deep Germinates in 4-21 days Plant Rows 36-48" apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Living Seed Company - (Physalis peruviana) This South American golden berry is an amazing superfood that bears an amazing taste, wrapped in a paper lantern. This tender perennial boasts an amazing flavor profile - tart, sweet and oh so good. This is a variety that is from the Andes Mountains and was eaten as far back as the Inca civilization. Can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen, or preserved. The options are endless. Attracts pollinators and easily self sows.  We stock either Organic or Conventional based on availability  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 20 Seeds   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 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) (aka Golden Warted Hubbard, Red Hubbard) Introduced by D. M. Ferry in 1898 but attributed to J.J. Harrison of Storrs & Harrison Co. of Painesville, Ohio. Starchy, nutty, fine-grained flesh—good for baking and roasting. Fruits are 8-12 pounds and store well. An all-time American favorite. 90-100 days.  Characteristics:  Red-orange, warted skin Starchy and nutty flesh is fine-grained Fruits grow to 8-12 pounds Good for baking and roasting Winter squash 90-100 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - An outstanding little watermelon, with golden-yellow rind and salmon-pink flesh. Pleasantly sweet, about 3 pounds in weight. Bred by Elwyn Meader and Albert Yaeger at UNH in 1959; a cross between New Hampshire Midget and Pumpkin Rind. Has a built-in ripeness indicator: fruits turn yellow when ready. Very early variety, ripening in just 70 days.  Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 3 pounds Salmon-pink flesh, golden yellow rind Fruits turn yellow when ready to harvest Good for short seasons Ripens in 70 days 25 seeds  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 

Seed Savers Exchange - This variety originally came to us from Martha Perry of Pontiac, Michigan.  We do not have too much on this variety but hey if Seedsavers is willing to pack it up, then it must be great!  In general pepper species are native to the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years. The Spanish and Portuguese brought them back to Europe and to their colonies in Africa and Asia. From there peppers continued to spread and develop. The chemical in hot peppers that causes a burning sensation is known as capsaicin and can be found in the highest concentration in the white pith around the seeds. Characteristics Fruits ripen from light green to orange Plants grow to 2feet Hot pepper 40 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

Compact Patty Pan Squash wiith plump golden fruit Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - An amazing squash that is going to be a favorite. It takes up very little room and produces squash after squash,  Awesome fried, bakes, stuffed and so much more.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Patty pan-type Compact habit Harvest at 4-5" diameter 68days  3g approx. 25 seeds   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 - Collected at a market in India. Tall 6' plants with beautiful bi-colored purple flowers and bright lemon-yellow pods. Best eaten when small, excellent for stir-fry. Seeds are tan with purple flecks, can be dried and added to soups. One of the few yellow edible-podded peas in SSE’s collection of 1,200 peas. Edible podded, 60-70 days. Characteristics:  Organic Lemon yellow pods Vines grow to 6 feet Bi-colored purple flowers Pods are best eaten when small Dried peas can be added to soups Edible podded pea 60-70 days 75 Seeds Instructions - Peas thrive in cool weather. Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Double rows of peas can be planted on each side of a trellis. Direct Seed 2-3" apart Plant 1/2" deep Plant Rows 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Renee's Garden - Our high-yielding, Sweet Spanish onions germinate and grow strongly, producing heavy yields of big, crispy, white-fleshed bulbs that have handsome copper-colored wrapper skins. They are great tasting raw or cooked because they have a fine mild, sweet flavor. These versatile onions are perfect for salads and sandwiches, in stirfries, or roasted to caramelized perfection. Enjoy sweet Spanish onions within several months of harvest. Characteristics:  High-yielding  Big, mild, sweet onions  90-95 days  Approx 300-310 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; in mild winter areas, seeds can also be sown in fall to overwinter for a head start in spring growth. Before planting, thoroughly work compost or well-aged manure and bonemeal into the soil. Keep onions well weeded and mulch plants once the soil warms up to conserve moisture. Feed onions lightly with an all-purpose fertilizer several times during the growing season. The “bite” or spiciness of onions depends on your soil type and composition. Plant In: February - April for cold winters or January - April / September - October for mild winters 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. 

Seed Savers Exchange -Golden Treasure’s peppers are so beautiful that we have even included them in flower arrangements. This Italian variety bears 9"-long fruits that ripen from green to shiny yellow and are excellent for frying, roasting, and fresh eating. Sweet medium-thick flesh and tender skin. 80 days from transplant. Sweet. Characteristics  Fruits grow to 9 inches long Fruit ripens from green to shiny yellow Excellent for frying, roasting, and fresh eating Sweet pepper 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

The Living Seed Company -This wonderful heirloom bean is considered to be one of the oldest wax beans and was believed to have been introduced around the 1870's! Known for its rich buttery flavor, stringless properties and delicious taste!  This steady and productive bush bean variety will keep continue to provide excellent yields!  Excellent for preservation in canning, freezing and as a dry shelly bean! Organic Stringless Bush Bean 15-24" tall 50-65 days 40 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after 2-3 weeks of last frost as beans do like the ground to be warmer. Direct Seed 3-6" apart Planting Depth 1/4' Thin 6" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) Introduced in 1973 by W. Atlee Burpee of Philadelphia, bred from genetic material supplied by Dr. Oved Shifress. This vivid yellow fruit was the first commercial B (bicolor gene) cultivar. Crisp and mild-flavored zucchinis are borne prolifically on bush plants. 50-55 days. Characteristics:  Organic Bright yellow skin Best when eaten under 8 inches Heavy yielding bush plants Summer squash 50-55 days 25 seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Sweet, tropical-tasting gold berries wrapped in paper husks add magic to your garden. Bushy plants grow 2.5-3' tall. When ripe, the husk around the fruit becomes papery dry and the fruit falls off the plant to be picked up from the ground. Some people place a tarp underneath the plants to make harvesting easier, but either way the husks keep the fruit clean. Organic Trellis or let sprawl Bushy, spreading habit Open-Pollinated Stores well Very Sweet 70 days from transplant 1/10 gram of Seeds  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 

The Seed Exchange - One of the 1,186 beans given to SSE in 1981 by bean collector John Withee of Massachusetts. Named for Carrie Belle Stallard of Wise County, Virginia. This variety dates to at least the 1930s. Maroon beans splashed with white, 5-6 seeds per pod. Wonderful rich meaty flavor, great for soups. Very productive. Pole habit, dry, 85-95 days. ±680 seeds/lb.  Pole bean  Maroon and white beans  Open Pollinated Meaty flavor  Very productive  Dry bean  85-95 days 50 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1" deep Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing Full sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varitities so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

The Seed Savers Exchange - Donated to SSE in 1988 by Pam Andrew of Arizona. It was given to her by her 85-year-old great-aunt, Flossie Cramer, of Crawford County, IL. Flossie's grandmother, Emma Hadley, grew the lettuce when Flossie was a child (around 1915). It was a family favorite used in a wilted lettuce salad with hot bacon dressing. The dark purple-tinged leaves are buttery, crisp, and slightly sweet. Butterhead, 40-50 days. Characteristics:  Organic Heavy dark purple tinge on leaf edges Buttery and crisp leaves are slightly sweet Butterhead 40-55 days to maturity 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 Savers Exchange - This stunning ornamental pepper makes a splash in both borders and containers. Bushy plants produce a dense canopy of dark-purple leaves and myriad small, conical peppers that ripen from purple to orange to dark red. The peppers measure about 3/4" long and stand erect on the plant; they are edible but very pungent and somewhat bitter. ‘Grandma Kirksey’ is named for Willie Jane (Pulley) Kirksey, who received the variety during the Great Depression and grew the peppers in her flower beds. 100 days to ripe fruit from transplant. Hot. Organic.  Characteristics  From the Collection for 2022 Organic Colorful fruits grow to 3/4-1 inch Bushy plants have dark purple leaves and small conical peppers Hot pepper 100 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