Seeds - Vegetables

Seed Exchange - This gorgeous, versatile, and delicious blocky pepper originates from Italy and is ideal for stuffing, frying, and canning, with a heat level that ranges from mild to hot. Pendant fruits measure 4 to 5 inches long by 2 to 2.5 inches wide. Its medium-thick flesh matures from green to red, and plants measure 18 to 24 inches tall. (70-80 days). This Italian family heirloom pepper was donated to Seed Savers Exchange in 2015 by Chad and Michele Ogle-Riccelli of Des Moines, Iowa. Chad's great-grandparents, Giovanni "John" Ausilio and Rachel P. Scarcello, immigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. Their daughter Theresa continues to grow the pepper, which today is at the center of the family's culinary traditions. It is used for drying, frying, stuffing, canning and making sardas (savory rolls flavored with dried peppers and sardines). ±4,200 seeds/oz When asked why the family chose to preserve this pepper and save seeds form year to year, Chad says, "As Grandma (Theresa Ausilio Riccelli) would tell you, they are her family seeds. Something that special, you love and pass on for generations to come...These peppers are part of our heritage." Organic Italian-style thin skin frying pepper Red fruits grow to 5 inches long Moderate to high heat 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 Seed Savers Exchange -  (C. maxima) From our friends at Digger's Garden Club near Melbourne, Australia. A ribbed salmon-colored drum-like pumpkin with wall-to-wall starchy high-quality flesh. Excellent for baking, a great keeper. Fruits weigh 7-15 pounds. 90-100 days. Characteristics:  Organic Salmon-colored ribbed fruits Fruits weigh 7-15 pounds Extremely thick, starchy flesh Excellent for baking Winter squash for storage 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 Living Seed Company - Oh my, so cute, so delicious, so juicy. This fast growing green is extremely popular. Great in stir-frys and other Asian dishes.  Also known as Shanghai Bok Choy. Try it pickled or as kimchi. Steam it like spinach.  We love it sautéed in sesame oil. Its also wonderful in salads ... so many possibilities. Mild flavor Light green stems and leaves Bolt resistant 30-40 days Harvest when 5-7" tall.  200 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed to prevent premature flowering. Can also be planted in late summer for a fall crop. Seeds will germinate in 4-7 days. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth 1/4" Rows 18" Apart Thin 6-12" apart

The Seed Savers Exchange - A dwarf, compact version of Green Oakleaf. Tasty and tender medium green leaves are oakleaf-shaped with rounded lobes. Holds for an extended period. Looseleaf, 50 days. ±31,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Compact growth Medium green, oakleaf leaves Slow to bolt Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 50 days 250 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 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - It’s no wonder this slicing tomato has long been a favorite of George and Jerreth McLaughlin, who shared it with Seed Savers Exchange in 2005. Vigorous, flavorful, and disease-resistant, it received high marks from gardeners who grew it as part of SSE’s ADAPT community science program. Maturing mid-to late-season, the tomatoes have a sweet and zingy flavor, measure 2.5” tall by 3” wide, and weigh 4-7 ounces. 70-75 days from transplant. Organic.  Characteristics:  Organic Sweet, zingy flavor Slicing tomato Fruit ripens mid-to late-season 70-75 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 6-8 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

Spicy deep purple-green leaves and purple stems. Highly desireable color and weight from succlent stems and cotyledons. "Purple Sango radish has the dark purple color that our mixes need, and thick weighty cotyledons that give us great yields," says Katherine of Moose Meadow Farm. "We plant it more than any other microgreen!" Lofty greens Unique color 3oz of Seeds Instructions - Follow Instructions on Pack - Super easy.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced to Seed Savers Exchange in 1983 by John Hartman of Indiana. This was the favorite was when Seed Savers compared 25 different yellow pears in 1998. Endless supply of 1½" fruits with great flavor. Ideal for salads. Indeterminate, 70-80 days from transplant. ±21,000 seeds/oz. Characteristics:  Bright yellow fruits grow to 1.5 inches Flavorful fruits are pear-shaped 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

The Seed Exchange - This bean’s longtime steward—Stephen Deane of Wayne, Maine—described it as “the finest variety of large, white baking bean that anyone here has ever had.” Ideal for baking and making soup, the kidney-shaped bean (developed by Stephen’s Uncle Bert) has a mild flavor as well as a light, “fluffy” texture and cooks quickly. Plants reach 1-1.5' tall and mature mid-season; each pod has 4-5 seeds and measures 5-6" long when fully expanded. Bush habit, dry. 80 days to dry beans. Organic. From the Collection for 2022 Organic Bush bean White kidney-shaped bean Light "fluffy" texture cooks quickly Dry bean Bush habit 80 days 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  Seed Depth: 1" 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)