Seeds - Vegetables

Hopi Yellow Lima Bean - I love the color as it adds to the rainbow of limas so we grow it. It varies in production but since we get more dry spells. I wanted a lima that would thrive in drought.  We grow this variety in our heirloom gardens at Firefly Farm & Mercantile in Cashton, Wisconsin.  Hopi Yellow is a pre-colonial landrace lima stewarded by the Hopi Nation. The lima does well in dry conditions and prefers a longer season than our zone 4 garden but we still get a decent harvest. If in a dry climate with 140 days of growing frost free, you would get a wonderful yield.  Characteristics:  High Drought Resistance  Prolific producer Pole Lima bean 95 days for eating, 130 for dried We offer it in minipacks or packs of 25.  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

Seed Savers Exchange - Offered in 1935 by Joseph Harris & Co. of Coldwater, NY, who reported, “If you want a large hot pepper, try the new Hot Portugal. The best hot pepper we know.” Sturdy upright plants produce very heavy yields early in the growing season. Glossy vivid red elongated fruits grow 6" or longer. 65-75 days from transplant. Medium hot. ±3,800 seeds/oz.  Characteristics  Vivid, red fruits grow to 6 inches Medium hot pepper Short season, highly productive 65-75 days from transplant 50 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - First listed in the 1991 SSE Yearbook by Jerry Muller of Alabama. He acquired the variety in 1988 from Ed Simon of Pennsylvania. Simon stated it was brought to the United States in 1901 from a village 20 miles from Budapest. Huge pink oxheart fruits weigh upwards of one pound. Very few seeds and almost no cracking. One of our favorites for fresh eating, canning, and making roasted tomato sauce. Indeterminate, 85 days from transplant. ±14,300 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Pink fruits grow up to 1 pound Very few seeds Resistant to cracking Great for fresh eating, canning, and for making roasted tomato sauce Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 85 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

Hungarian Italian Paste, Heirloom - 79 days. (Determinate) Highly productive pear-shaped paste tomato with good disease resistance and good holding quality. 3-4 oz. fruits borne in clusters of 4. Makes excellent flavored sauce. Heat Tolerant  Organic & Open-Pollinated Determinate 79 Days .16grams - 40-50 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 6-8 weeks before last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Plants need trellising or staking Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

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

Hungarian Paprika Pepper - large yields of peppers and a hand selected variety that has done traditionally well in most climates of the United States. We offer this in certified organic packets from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange or as mini packets from seed grown on our farm or from them.  Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Back with 2026 Seedstock! - A 1500's heirloom and perhaps the most popular pepper used for paprika and drying we offer.  This seedstock originally came from Hungary, where the paprika pepper has been developed to its finest quality. This strain has excellent color and sweet, spicy flavor. 3 ft. plants produce an abundance of 1½ x 4½ in. peppers. Fruit shows some susceptibility to sunscald and blossom-end rot, but is otherwise an excellent variety. The fruits keep well. The sweet, very dry flesh is ideal for drying. Grind dried fruits for a superb paprika seasoning. 70 days. Characteristics  Fruits ripen from green to red Fruits grow to 4 inches Excellent paprika pepper 70 days from transplant for green, up to 100 days for red .3 grams of seed -40-65 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

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - The name is fitting as they can hold 1 scoop of ice cream and are known as Green Machines because of their abilties to product a ton of fruits. Fruits are 2 pounds,  When ripe the melons will fall off the vine so it is easy to tell when ripe!  Characteristics: Organic Heirloom 2 pound fruits 79 days 50-90 Seeds per packet, 2g 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 

Ideal Market Pole Snap Bean - It is a perfect bean for our zone 4 heirloom gardens. We grow it year after year and it is the first pole bean to bear tender pods for eating. Our source for the seed we started with is Seedsavers Exchange. We offer this Ideal Market both in Seedsaver's Exchange retail packets and our Firefly Farm label. Additionally seed in the Firefly label is grown right here in our heirloom gardens.  The Seed Savers Exchange - Flawless. An early-producing, stringless pole bean with vines that bear 5"-long snap beans all along its 6'-tall vines. This variety has a fine texture and excellent taste and is suitable for eating fresh or freezing. Introduced to the seed trade in 1914 as Black Creaseback by Van Antwerp’s Seed Store of Mobile, Alabama, it was reintroduced in 1924 by Chris Reuter Seed Company of New Orleans, Louisiana, as Reuter’s Ideal Market. Pole habit, snap, 65-70 days. ±1,900 seeds/lb. Pole bean Stringless pods Open-Pollinated Excellent quality Early and productive Snap bean 65-70 days 50 Seeds per pack Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Direct Seed 2" apart  Plant 1" deep Support using Trellis, tepee, or fencing 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 - First listed in the 1991 SSE Yearbook by Jerry Muller of Alabama. He acquired the variety in 1988 from Ed Simon of Pennsylvania. Simon stated it was brought to the United States in 1901 from a village 20 miles from Budapest. Huge pink oxheart fruits weigh upwards of one pound. Very few seeds and almost no cracking. One of our favorites for fresh eating, canning, and making roasted tomato sauce. Indeterminate, 85 days from transplant. ±14,300 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Organic Winner of the 2015 SSE Tomato Tasting Yellow cherry tomatoes with a sweet, rich flavor and moderate acidity Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 70-80 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 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 - 74 days. An AAS Winner! Sweet, crisp, and tender. 7-9 in. orange-red roots are coreless, have semi-blunt ends and narrow shoulders. Requires loose, deep soil to achieve its full potential. Organic and Open-Pollinated Specialty Appeal 7" Coreless Nantes Style 75 days 3 grams, ~1500 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors before 3-4  weeks of last frost or soil can be worked. Optimal temperature is 65 degrees. Plant 1/2" apart Plant 1/4" Deep Plant Rows 16-24" apart Thin 2-4" Apart  

Indigo Apple - We love this dark colored tomato. It ripens with black and red colors which make it so alluring. Our plants are lodes each summer with most fruits blemish free. The tomatoes are resistant to sun scald, cracking and moderate resistance to late blight. Health lovers value the antioxidant anthocyanin from its dark skin.  Bred by Brad Gates from a PKS Heirlooms cross.  We grow this variety each year and offer seed grown naturally in our gardens. If you need it certified organic then please select the certified option. Choose from a variety of options.  Open-Pollinated Resistance to Late Blight Cracking and Sunscald resistance  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 last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Plants need trellising or staking  

High Mowing Organic Seed - These kale varieties are ideally suited for baby leaf production, maturing at an even rate to offer a unique, textured blend. The perfect bag of greens for the health-minded consumer. Farmers market customers will love this nutrient-dense alternative to salad mix. Tender young greens can be used raw or added to juices, smoothies and stir-fries. Varieties selected to mature at an even rate and provide a variety of colors and textures. May include various Lacinato, Russian, green curly and other kale types.  Harvest at 6" for salad mix Mixed varieties  30 days to baby leaf  1/32 ounce   Instructions - Sow directly outdoors as we do and thin to 8-10", sow every few weeks through summer, you can continue to harvest through frosts. Plant 1/4" Deep Germinate 7-10 days Plant Rows 1" apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Gorgeous bicolor cherry tomatoes are red with a spectacular cat’s eye starburst on the blossom end. Rich, sweet, fruity flavor. Plants are loaded with 1½" fruits in clusters of 6-8. Bred by SSE member Joe Bratka of New Jersey. Indeterminate, 70-80 days from transplant. ±15,500 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Red fruits have a yellow starburst on the blossom end Fruits grow to 1½" in clusters of 6-8 Rich, sweet, fruity flavor Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 70-80 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

Seed Savers Exchange - This Corno-di-toro (“horn of the bull”) type of sweet pepper earned high marks from Seed Savers Exchange staff at a 2014 tasting at our Heritage Farm headquarters. Curved, tapered fruit mature from green to red, have thin walls and taste very sweet (not hot). Erect plants grow 14-28" tall and have sparse branching, green leaves, and stem with light-purple nodes and white flowers. Mature fruit reach 5-7"" long and 1.5-3"" wide. Introduced in 1987 by Johnny’s Selected Seeds of Albion, Maine, this variety has been shared within the SSE Yearbook Exchange community ever since. 70-80 days from transplant. Sweet. Organic. Characteristics  Organic Sweet, Corno-di-toro ("horn of the bull") type pepper Fruits grow to 5 - 7 inches long and 1.5 - 3" wide. Sweet. New for 2021 80 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

This is quite thet tomato. When it isn't offered, it is missed! Usually the bigger tomatoes end up cracking but this one seems to resist that.  The Seed Savers Exchange - Winner of Seed Exchange's 2012 Tomato Tasting. Outstanding variety from Italy. Plants are loaded with red fruits weighing over a pound. One of the most productive varieties we have grown at Heritage Farm. Excellent full tomato flavor. Ideal for slicing and canning—very little waste and easy to peel. Indeterminate, 70-80 days from transplant. Characteristics:  Best-selling slicing tomato Organic Winner of SSEs 2012 Tomato Tasting Bright red fruits grow to over 1 pound Excellent full tomato flavor Extremely productive Ideal for slicing and canning—very little waste and easy to peel Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 70-80 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 last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Plants need trellising or staking Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Big fun comes in a very small package for kids and pumpkin-lovers far and wide. High Mowing Organic Seeds - (C. moschata) Miniature, old-fashioned pumpkins are 3" wide by 2" tall and bright orange. Each plant will produce an average of eight pumpkins. Great for decorations and raw fruit can be hollowed out to make a cute serving dish. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  6-12 fruits per vine   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

Jade Bush Bean - Gourmet-quality long, slender, stringless green beans. Commercial yields of glossy medium green beans for fresh market sales or the garden. Large, 18-22" tall plants produce yields comparable to Provider and Strike. Pale green seeds. Heat tolerant 6-7" long pods Open-Pollinated 1 oz of seeds Disease Resistance DetailsHigh Resistance: Bean Common Mosaic VirusIntermediate Resistance: Bacterial Brown Spot, Curly Top Virus, Rust Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after 2-3 weeks of last frost as beans do like the ground to be warmer. Direct Seed 1-5" apart Planting Depth 1/2 -1" Thin 3-5" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability