Seeds - Vegetables

Mammoth Red Rock Cabbage by The Living Seed Company This heirloom cabbage was introduced in 1889. Known for its deep reddish-purple solid round head, about 8 – 10” diameter and weighing in at 6-8 lbs. Within its leathery, blue-purple sleeves, lie layers of thin tightly wrapped leaves offering a robust peppery flavor to any dish. This is an easy to grow sure cropper.   Non GMO Perfect for slaws and salads Heads weigh 6-8 pounds Good keeper 95 days from transplant 60 Seeds per pack   This ancient vegetable was used throughout ancient Greece and Rome. Revered by the Grecians of early times as being sacred and commonly used medicinally by the Romans. Recognized for being exceedingly high in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folic acid, potassium. This large cabbage keeps well, although flavor has a tendency to taper off with heat and is enhanced with cooler weather. Has the capacity to be grown as a winter vegetable in warmer climates. Cabbage heads have a tendency to split if not harvested at the right time. A delicious vegetable shaved thin for sauerkraut, in salads or cooked in a stir-fry, steamed or in soup. Instructions - Sow seed indoors ¼" deep 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant out just before the last frost. Take care not to disrupt the shallow root system while transplanting and weeding. Make sure cabbage has a regular supply of water. Mulching cabbage will reduce weeds and keep moderate temperatures and even moisture in the soil. Cabbage is a heavy feeder and consequently needs an even supply of nutrients. Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 7-12 Days Plant Outdoors: 24-36” Apart 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)

Seed Exchange - Attributed to the Mandan tribe of North Dakota; this Native American flour corn was planted by Mandan women along with beans, sunflowers, and squash. This corn with its colorful autumnal kernels, some of which are striped, can be used in fall displays or ground into cornmeal. Plants will produce several 6-8” ears on 6’ plants. 85-90 days. Organic & Open-Pollinated 6-8 inch long ears Multicolor kernels Plants grow to 6 feet Flint corn 85-90 days 75 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)

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Pre-mixed purple, yellow, and green snap beans make an eye-catching custom blend. No more hand mixing after a bean harvest our tri-color bean blend makes it easy and efficient to offer bags of colorful beans! Varieties were selected for their excellent flavor and even rates of maturity. Plant successions and harvest these beautiful, festive beans all season. Includes gold, purple and green snap beans. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  HMOs Exclusive  Matures evenly  4-6" pods  55 days 1 oz approx. 145 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the 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 Planting Depth 1-2"  Plant Rows Apart 36"- 48"

Marglobe VF - Do not let the letters VF scare you away. Marglobe VF is open-pollinated like all of our seed offerings but was selected from its parent stock Marglobe.  Marglobe has been in demand for several generations while many other varieties have come and gone. This strain has been selected for disease resistance. Red, medium-sized, 5-8 oz. fruits with firm walls and good flavor. Stocky, vigorous plants with excellent disease tolerance. Vines provide good protection from sunscald.  Marglobe was first developed in 1917 from a cross between ‘Marvel’ and ‘Globe’ and released by the USDA in 1925. Wide Range of Disease Resistance Organic & Open-Pollinated Determinate 5-8 oz fruit 70 Days 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) Belongs to the Banana group of squashes, noted for their fine table quality. This selection is dark “blue” with light stripes; golden-yellow flesh is thick and firm. Fruits range up to 20 inches in length and average 5 pounds. We like to keep this one in the refrigerator after the initial cutting and continue to slice off small rings that can be either baked or roasted. 90-95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Bumpy, turban shaped fruits grow to 10-12 pounds Sweet, dry flesh Highly productive and a good keeper Flavor improves in storage Winter squash 95-100 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

Marketmore 76 remains the most widely-planted open-pollinated slicer in the US! High Mowing Organic Seeds - Dark green fruits stay green and mild-tasting even under heat stress, while multiple disease resistances keep plants vigorous and highly productive across a long picking season. Showed good resistance to angular leaf spot and anthracnose in our trials. Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated 8-9" Dark green skin with bright white flesh Used for fresh eating 65 days 1/16 ounce (~25 Seeds) Highly resistant to Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Scab, and Powdery Mildew Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after the last frost when soil is warm. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest. Cucumbers benefit from consistent moisture. Provide support for vines to save space. Plant 6-8 Seeds on a Hill once the soil warms to 75 degrees Plant 1" Deep Thin to 3 or 4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Fearing Burr made sure to note this tall kale in his landmark 1863 book, Field and Garden Vegetables of America. Its edible stalk reaches up to 30" tall and is cloaked in an abundance of leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked and are especially tender when young.  Characteristics:  Edible stalks reach up to 30 inches Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked Tender leaves when young 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

Currently Out of Stock  - Seed Savers Exchange - Donated to SSE in 1996 by Dr. William Woys Weaver of PA. Developed in the 19th century by Mennonite horticulturist Jacob B. Garber. Dr. Weaver acquired the variety directly from the Martin family from PA in 1971. Plants 2-2½' tall. Carrot-shaped, 1½-3" long, deep red-orange fruit. Smoky hot flavor. 70-90 days from transplant. Hot. Characteristics: Organic Carrot-shaped fruits grow to 1-3 inches Smoky hot flavor Plants grow to 24 inches Medium hot pepper 70-90 days from transplant 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 - Italian variety with pretty rugose (puckered) foliage. Very heavy set of mild 2-3 ounce fruits perfectly suited for making sauce, salsa, and paste. Tends to fall off the vine when fully ripe. Determinate, but requires trellis, 75 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Fruits grow to 2-3 ounces Rugose (puckered) foliage Fruit tends to fall off the vine when fully ripe Determinate - Fruit ripens over a 2 week period 75 days from transplant 25 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

Renee's Garden - Heirloom with strong, climbing vines bearing large sunny gold fruits shot through with rose-red, giving them a beautiful marbleized effect. The flavor is mild, sweet & smooth. Characteristics:  Organic  Heirloom Big, rosy-red color with gold patterns  Mild and sweet flavor  80 days  Approx 45 seeds Instructions - Zucchinis need full sun, rich fertile soil, and warm temperatures. Plant only when spring weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C). Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 1 inch deep and 2 feet apart. When seedlings have 4 leaves, thin to 1 strong seedling per group. Or, plant in slightly mounded hills, 2 feet in diameter, sowing 4 or 5 seeds in each hill. Thin hill-planted seedlings to the 2 or 3 strongest plants.  Sow seeds indoors: February - March  Transplant outdoors in full sun: May - June  Mature Height: 5-7 feet  7-14 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - One of the most beautiful varieties in SSE’s collection of over one thousand lettuces. Curly frilled oakleaf-shaped leaves retain their dark red color in hot weather. Mild flavor. Looseleaf, 65 days. ±26,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Frilled, oak leaf-shaped leaves Mild flavor Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 65 days 500 seeds per packet  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: 10" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

Matina Tomato - This is such a robust producer and is one of the first slicers to set fruit and be ready around mid July for us in zone 4. The flavor is absolutely what is needed in a tomato - sweet, juicy, balanced acidity, and fruity.  Matina is a an indeterminate potato leaf variety, and her fruit is 4-7oz. I would recommend her in the south as she does not stop flowering no matter the heat we receive in Wisconsin  Characteristics:  Green fruits grow 4-7 oz Salads and Slicer hot tomato Fruit ripens throughout the season Sets fruit in hot weather 45-55 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 the last frost Germination 7-14 days Plant apart 24-36"  Support: Cage, stake, or trellis

Copious quantities of small, deep red cherries with exceptional flavor. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Matt's keeps producing prolifically when every other tomato in the field is down for the count with early blight. Pick frequently as skin is thin and cracks easily. Trellis or let sprawl and naturalize. Shows moderate field tolerance to late blight. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Indeterminate .25 oz  55 days  1/10 gram  Instructions - Tomatoes are warm-season tender annuals. Tomatoes yield best in clay or loam soils that are well-drained and high in organic matter. They can tolerate acid soil as low as 5.5, but they prefer to grow in the 6.0-6.8 range. Days to maturity are from transplants. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the planting date.  Planting depth: 1/8-1/4"  Plant spacing: for determinate varieties 12-18", for indeterminate 24-36" Row Spacing: 4-6’ centers"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced in 1903 by the William Henry Maule seed company of Philadelphia. Vivid red 10" long cayenne-type peppers are great for hot sauce or dried red pepper flakes. High-yielding plants produce well even in northern areas. 80 days from transplant. Hot. ±4,200 seeds/oz. Characteristics  Fruits grow to 10 inches Fruits mature from green to vivid red Good production even in northern areas Hot pepper 80 days from transplant 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 Exchange - (aka Amish Knuttle) Cut short-type bean packed with small square seeds that are white speckled with rose. Prized for delicious flavor despite strings. Also excellent as a dry bean. Pole habit, snap or dry, 100 days. It is said these beans came over with the Pilgrims but it’s more likely they were gifted by Native Americans.  Pole bean Square white seeds speckled with rose Delicious flavor despite strings Excellent as a dry bean Snap or dry bean 100 days Instructions -Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest snap beans frequently for increased yields. Leave some pods on the vine and harvest when completely mature for dry beans. 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)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Mayo Indian Grain Amaranth 90 days, from Sonora, Mexico, Very vigorous variety with sturdy stalks. Can reach 7-8 ft. tall in good conditions. Primarily used for grain or to make pinole and atole. The leaves may also be used like spinach. Black seeds. The stalks, leaf veins, and large seed heads are a beautiful maroon red, a bright contrast to the green foliage. Makes a nice ornamental as well.  (Amaranthus cruentus) Grain, Pinole, Atole, or as a green Drought tolerant Certified Organic  Heirloom  7-8' tall ~850 seeds, 1g Instructions -  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

High Mowing Organic Seed - Unusual long elegant leaves covered in curls. Exceptionally attractive plants with tall, upright architecture and narrow, tightly curled leaves that are sweet, tender and easy to de-rib. So pretty it could pass as an ornamental! A German specialty with impressive frost-tolerance. Not as curly at the baby leaf stage. Narrow leaf Very cold tolerant 24-36" tall Open-Pollinated 50 Seeds 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 Retato Degli Ortolani Melon is a favorite for us and many of our Firefly customers.  It is so easy to grow and doe swell in a wide range of climates. Renee's Garden -  Heirloom Tuscan melons whose wonderful perfume adds to their meltingly sweet flavor. Deeply lobed, orange-fleshed fruits on very productive vines.  Characteristics:  Organic  Deeply-lobed  Orange-fleshed melons  Sweet flavor  Perfumed aroma  85 days  ~40-47 seeds Instructions - Melons need full sun, rich soil, and warm temperatures. Plant only when weather is warm and settled and temperatures stay above 50° (10°C). In rows 4 feet apart, sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds every 2 feet. After germination, thin to the strongest seedling per group, so you end up with one plant every 2 feet. Or make slightly mounded hills, 2 feet in diameter and 5 feet apart, sowing 5 or 6 seeds in each hill. Thin to 3 strongest plants. Plant In: April - June Full Sun  Plant rows 2 feet apart  Plant 1" deep 7-10 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.