Seeds - Vegetables

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Tetragonia expansa) Discovered in Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand, by British botanist Sir Joseph Banks who sailed with Captain Cook's first voyage to the South Pacific (1768-1771). Not a true spinach, but similar in flavor and usage. Strong spreading plants branch freely. Fleshy leaves are great for fresh summer greens. Thrives in hot weather, resists bolting. Best when picked all summer and fall. Seeds are slow to germinate, so be patient. Good source of vitamin C. 50-70 days.   Characteristics:  Not a true spinach, but similar in flavor and usage Spreading plants Thick, fleshy leaves Slow to bolt and thrives in hot weather Best when picked all summer and fall Good source of vitamin C 50-70 days 50 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the danger of frost has passed. Do not plant before air temperatures are consistently between 70-80°F. Soak seed for 24 hours before planting to speed germination. For best yields, harvest continually.  Plant 1" apart Plant 1/2" deep Germination: 7-14 Days Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Spinacia oleracea) A 1933 All-America Selections winner originally introduced in 1926 by Zwaan and Van der Molen of The Netherlands. Slow to bolt variety. Large leaves are tender and tasty for fresh eating. Good choice for canning or freezing. 50-55 days. ±2,500 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Spreading plants Thick, very large leaves Good choice for fresh eating, canning, and freezing Slow to bolt Very productive 50-55 days 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - Spinach grows best in cool weather and should be planted in early spring or late summer to produce a fall crop. For best yields, harvest continually and make successive plantings every ten days. Plant 1" apart Plant 1/2" deep Germination: 7-14 Days Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - A true French cantaloupe named for the Carmelite monks who once tended it in France. One of the easiest to grow and most luxurious of all melons. Rich black-green skin when immature, ripening to orange mottled with green. Sweet, aromatic, orange flesh; the flavor is complex and deeply satisfying. Tends to split when ripe. Very productive. 75 days. ±1,200 seeds/oz.  Characteristics: Organic Fruits have dark green skin that ripens to orange The sweet, orange flesh is very aromatic Fruit tends to split when ripe 75 days 25 Seeds per packet  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 - This flavorful variety produces small, straight, pale-yellow to white fruit with juicy, crunchy, and light-green flesh. The fruits are slightly ridged, measure 1.5-2" long and 3-3.7" wide, and weigh 2-4.5 ounces. Moderately vining plants have distinctly lobed leaves and dense foliage. This prized heirloom was donated to Seed Savers Exchange in the mid-1980s by member Marian Hart and can be traced back to a family that has stewarded it for more than a century in the mountains of North Carolina. 60-70 days. Organic From the Collection Small, pale-yellow, juicy, crunchy fruit grows up to 2" long 60-70 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 based on availability

North Georgia Candy Roaster are such a delicacy. They love being trellised and their strong stems means no support is needed. Plant a few of these to enjoy one of the tastiest squashes you’ll ever have!  Ribbed, Speckled skin Up to 18”, 8-15 lbs Winter squash 95-100 days 20 Seeds Harvest once the rind is dry and hard    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

Starts shipping 12/7 - Firefly Farm & Mercantile's United States Heirloom Seeds From Your State Collection- Heirlooms come from all over the world and right here in the United States we have some of hte most remarkable heirlooms. This collection focuses on providing heirlooms on a state by state basis. We do not have all states selected but we are making it our mission to find heirlooms for all 50 states to offer them here. All your seeds (2 full packets) will be in our custom United States Artwork envelope so it is perfect for gifts. We use seeds from our various seed companies or ones we grow and pack ourselves. Also included is a summary of the history of your heirloom seed. Your seed packets may contain beans, peppers, tomatoes, flowers, herbs, greens and more, our collection is diverse! Every state offers so many wonderful unique heirlooms, start discovery yours today.  Other Heirloom State Collections with their states we offer.  Northeast:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersy, New Hampshire Mid-Atlantic: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tenessee, Kentucky Midwest: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North and South Dakota Southeast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina  West Coast: California, Washington Lower Central: Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma Our gift envelopes are being made and will be arriving first week of December, shipping starts 12/7. 

Northern Ruby Tomato - A fantastic shorter sized (2.5' tall) tomato for northern growers. It puts out a heavy yield of 3" long tomatoes that are virtually blemish free. We grow these in a dry field setting with no irrigation and they just produce. They are highly resistant to cracking.  These make amazing sauces. A super easy variety. Bred by Doug Beaty of Montana who selected the earliest plants for 20 years.  It is resistant to blight and has not had any issues of blossom end rot or other fungal diseases.  Characteristics:  Determinate Open Pollintaed Paste tomato Disease resistant  70-75 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   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced in the 1997 SSE Yearbook by Glenn Drowns. A great black tomato that is virtually blemish-free. Baseball-sized fruits are borne in clusters of up to six fruits, very productive. Excellent full flavor, great for markets. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant. Characteristics:  Organic Brown-red fruits grow to baseball-size Full flavor and very productive Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 80 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

No matter how hot it gets, this Glitner Family Heirloom will keep on producing. Old-time sweet/tart tomato taste. 4-7 oz., dark red, smooth, round fruits with few seeds. The 5-6 ft. tall plants produce even in long hot summers. Good yields and flavor make this a keeper. Heat Tolerant  Organic & Open-Pollinated Indeterminate 16 oz fruit 80 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

Seed Exchange - Donated to SSE in 1989 by Ralph Blackwell of Alabama. Ralph's family grew this variety for over a hundred years and his mother used it to make a dish similar to sauerkraut. Plants grow to 2' tall with blue-green leaves and purple stems/veins. Very good eating qualities. 60-80 days. Organic Plants grow to 2 feet tall Blue-green leaves with purple stems & veins Very good eating qualities 60-80 days   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 3 months before the last frost or sown inside for an early summer harvest.  If sowing indoors, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost and plant right before the last frost. All collards are the most tender after a frost and can be harvested in snow. Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" 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)

The Seed Savers Exchange - The delicious, dark-orange flesh of this large beefsteak tomato has a great balance of sweetness and acidity. Juicy fruits mature mid-season, weigh half to full pound, and measure 3-4.5" wide. Tall, indeterminate plants grow 5-6' tall and bear fruit singly or in a cluster of 1-3. Betty Moore of Stow, Ohio, has stewarded this variety since 1983 when she received it from her mother, Oma Rachel Lively Miller, who was given the variety from a relative circa 1937 when she married. 75-80 days from transplant. Organic.  Characteristics:  Organic Dark orange fruits weigh from 1/2 to 1 lb Well-balanced acidity and sweetness Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season New for 2021 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - This dark-pink beefsteak tomato boasts a great, moderately sweet flavor. Borne singly or in pairs, fruits mature mid-season, have medium acidity and very thin skin, weigh from a half to full pound, and measure 3-5" wide. Tall, leafy, indeterminate plants grow 5-6' tall. Betty Moore of Stow, Ohio, has stewarded this variety since 1983, when she received it from her mother, Oma Rachel Lively Miller, who bought it at a greenhouse in Fredericktown, Ohio, in 1943. 80 days from transplant. Organic. Characteristics:  Organic Dark pink fruits weigh from 1/2 to 1 lb Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season Medium acidity and thin skins New for 2021 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 - These eye-catching purple-red heirlooms are 4 to 5 in. torpedo-shaped onions with a rich, but mild and sweet flavor. Traditionally grown in Italy & France, Rossa Lunga di Firenze is an intermediate day-length onion, growing easily from seed to mature at midsummer in most areas. These adaptable and space-saving wine-colored beauties offer great garden performance and their juicy, mild, crispy red flesh absolutely shines in salads and sandwiches, or when grilled to sweet succulence.  Characteristics:  Mild and sweet flavor  Purple-red color  Adaptable  90-120 days  Approx 400-420 seeds Instructions - For big bulbs: 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. 

Renee's Garden Exclusive - Enjoy these heirloom Italian salad onions at the scallion stage, or let them grow into succulent and juicy baby onions. They have burgundy-colored outer wrapper leaves, and white interior flesh that is juicy, succulent, and richly flavorful without being overly strong. They taste absolutely delicious sliced into salads or stirfries, egg dishes, or topping pizza. Plus these special salad onions grow easily and hold well in the garden so you can harvest as needed over an extended period.  Characteristics:  Renee's Garden Exclusive  Heirloom  Burgandy-colored  Juicy and richly flavorful  60-65 days  Approx 500 seeds Instructions - Plant seeds throughout cool spring weather and again in mid to late summer for fall harvests. Sow seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun, spacing 1 inch apart in rows 8-10 inches apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Plant 1/4 inch deep and firm soil well over seeds. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination. Thin young seedlings to 2 inches apart, and enjoy the tender thinnings in spring salads.  Plant In: March - June or August - September  Full Sun  Plant rows 1 inch apart  Plant 1/4" deep 10-20 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - An extraordinary watermelon offered by the Willhite Seed Company in the early 1960s. The fiery orange flesh is sugary, delicious, and crisp. Large oblong fruits average 25 pounds. A reliable producer and Heritage Farm favorite. 90-100 days.  Characteristics:  Oblong fruits grow to 25 pounds Orange flesh Sugary, sweet, crisp flesh Reliable producer 90-100 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 

The Living Seed Company -Developed by Oregon State James Baggett, the Oregon Giant is a large podded, high yielding snow pea. The large pods encapsulate sweet and delicious peas.  Known to have a high resistance to fusarium wilt race 1, pea enation mosaic virus, and powdery mildew. Peas are a delight fresh tossed into salads, lightly steamed as a side, or tossed in at the end of fried rice or a stir fry. Can tolerate some heat. Blanch and freeze to keep a bit of early summer in you ice box! Organic Vines grow to 2.5' feet Pods best eaten when small Edible podded pea 60 days 50 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. Our family tends to not trellis these and just space them a little closer together to support themselves.   Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Plant Rows 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability