Seeds - Vegetables

Seed Exchange - (C. chinense) (aka Lucifer’s Dream) Caribbean favorite many times hotter than the jalapeño. Three-foot tall plants produce enormous yields of small rippled peppers with a characteristic fruity flavor and aroma. 90-100 days from transplant. Sizzling hot. Small, rippled, bright red fruits Plants grow to 3 feet Very hot pepper Enormous yields 90-100 days from transplant 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 - This beautiful Eastern European variety bears elongated, red cabbages framed by greenish-red outer foliage. The leaves of these dense 2-3 pound heads have a sweetness that makes them perfect for slaws and salads, or for use in pickling. A good keeper that adds an ornamental quality to the vegetable garden. 80 days from transplant. ±7,400 seeds/oz. Perfect for slaws and salads Heads weigh 2-3 pounds Good keeper 80 days from transplant 100 Seeds per pack 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)

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Basella Rubra) Tropical heat-loving vine from India. Not a true spinach, but similar in flavor and usage. Free-branching climber with red leaf veins and stems. Will regrow rapidly if sprouts are cut to eat as greens. Pinch tips to encourage branching. Stems can be cut and rooted. 50-70 days.  Characteristics:  Not a true spinach, but similar in flavor and usage Soft, rounded leaves Red leaf veins and stems Sprouts are cut to eat as greens Free-branching climber re-grows rapidly Heat tolerant 50-70 days 50 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the danger of frost has passed. Can also be sown indoors. Transplant outdoors after air temperatures are consistently between 70 and 80°F. For best yields, harvest continually. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Plant 1" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6" apart Support: Trellis Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Red Mortgage Lifter - This tomato is an improved tomato of Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter. The fruits ripen mostly red versus pink to red, more disease resistant, but not quite as large as the original Mortgage Lifter. These fruits top out around 12-14 ounces. It is highly productive and bears until frost.  Organic & Open-Pollinated Indeterminate 12-14 oz fruit 83 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

Easy, early tender green leaves that withstand heat, drought, and light frost. High Mowing Organic Seeds - A highly adaptable lettuce for plantings throughout the season. Quickly produces a full-sized, bright green open head with distinctively savoyed leaves that hold salad dressing well. Popular baby leaf variety for a bright green contrasting leaf in salad mixes.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Grand Rapids-type  Baby leaf for salad mix  Highly disease resistance  28 days baby - 45 days full size  1/32 oz approx.  Instructions - Lettuce is cool-season annual in the Compositae family. Choose cool, well-drained, loose soil. Lettuce can be seeded in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked.  Direct Seed 1" apart Planting Depth 1/8" Space 8-12"  Thin 1-6" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This variety is also known as "Hmong Red" and comes from Thailand. It was introduced as an ornamental plant in the 19th century and is used by florists in fall arrangements as the fruit resembles miniature pumpkins. The eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and, as such, is related to both tomatoes and potatoes. It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia for thousands of years. The first written record of it is from a Chinese agricultural paper from the year 544 and it was noted in the Mediterranean region in the Middle Ages. The name "eggplant" most likely comes from European varieties of the 18th century that were yellow or white and did, in fact, resemble the egg of a goose. In British English it is known as an aubergine. Red-orange ribbed fruits grow up to 3 inches Fruits are bitter Plants grow to 2-3 foot Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Using landscape fabric or black plastic can accelerate growth and productivity in cooler climates. Start Indoors: 8 weeks before the last frost Germinate for 14 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” 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)

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Brassica napus) (aka Ragged Jack) One of the hardiest and most tender-leaved of all kales, this variety is originally from Siberia and was brought to Canada by Russian traders around 1885. Its beautiful, frilly, purple-veined, blue-green leaves are tinged with red-purple and resemble oak leaves. Vigorous plants grow 18-36" tall. Leaves have a mild, sweet flavor. Hardy to -10°F. 50-60 days from transplant. Characteristics:  Organic Mild sweet flavor Tolerates cold temperatures to -10 degrees Fahrenheit Leaves have purple veins Leaves are flat and frilled rather than curled 50-60 days from transplant 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 last frost Plant 1/4" Deep Germinate 3-10 days Plant Rows 24" apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Red Sails Looseleaf Lettuce - It is an early producer and is ready as in about 45 days. It is a1985 AAS winner. Slow to develop bitterness when compared to red varieties, but average compared to green ones. Crinkled leaves; maroon-red color intensifies as leaves mature. Characteristics:  Organic & Open-Pollinated Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 45 days .5g, ~400 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.

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced to U.S. gardeners in 1955. Decorative upright plants, 6" tall and 14-16" wide. Beautiful deep-lobed bronze leaves are crisp and delicious. One of our best performers. Very slow to bolt. Looseleaf, 50 days. ±28,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Deep lobed, bronze 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: 10-12" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Introduced to U.S. gardeners in 1955. Decorative upright plants, 6" tall and 14-16" wide. Beautiful deep-lobed bronze leaves are crisp and delicious. One of our best performers. Very slow to bolt. Looseleaf, 50 days.  Characteristics:  Deep lobed, bronze leaves Slow to bolt Looseleaf and cut-and-come-again 28 days for baby, 55 days for full heads 1/32 ounce, ~600-800 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: 10-12" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.

The Seed Savers Exchange - Absolutely striking appearance. Tops of leaves are solid maroon, and the backs are green tinged with maroon. Seed Savers is proud to have reintroduced this variety in 2002.  Characteristics:  Organic Soft, frilled leaves are maroon and green Slow to bolt Looseleaf and cut-and-come again 50 days 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.

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Dark Red Beauty) Listed as Large Red in 1834 by Hovey & Co. of Boston. By 1850, the name Wethersfield was in use by such companies as Comstock, Ferre & Co of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Large flattened globes with purple-red skin. Mildly pungent flesh with red concentric circles. Best used for salads and garnishes, not for extended storage. Long-day type. 100 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Long-day onion Flattened globe-shaped bulbs Purple-red skin Concentric circles of red 100 days from transplant 100 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats ¼" deep and space 1" in all directions. Transplant outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.  Start Indoors: 4-6 weeks before transplanting  Germination: 4-10 Days Plant Outdoors: 4-6” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - A natural cross between Tom Wagner’s Green Zebra and an unknown parent. Discovered by Jeff Dawson in his California fields and listed in the 2003 SSE Yearbook. Gorgeous 2½" round fruits are blood-red overlaid with jagged carrot-orange stripes. Top-quality uniform strain, very productive. Slightly tart flavor. Indeterminate, 75-80 days from transplant. ±9,400 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Organic Bright red skin with jagged orange stripes Round fruits grow to 2½ inches Slightly tart flavor Very productive Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 75-80 days from transplant 25 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 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

Swiss Chard is wonderful staple green that tastes great and looks amazing in the landscape too. Ruby Red or Rhubarb Red Swiss Chard, as it goes by both, is a longtime relaible variety. The color of the stalk agains the deep green leaves is beautiful. The leaves and stalks can be used in soups, stews, salads when young, and even as side dishes. Swiss Chard is a member of beet family.  Days to 50-60 days. Depending on the time of year is when we have different seed companies as listed here. This one is always organic.  Characteristics:  Organic Tender leaves Dark red veins and stalks Ornamental and delicious Easy for containers 100 seeds per packet minimum 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

Roma VF Tomato has been a wonderful addition to gardeners due to its high resistance of fusarium wilt.  It is flavorful and production.  It is an open-pollinated and organic variety like to offer. It was developed in the 1950's and released in 1963 for the agricultural and gardening industries.  Characteristics:  Organic Fusarium Wilt Resistance Determinate (great for short seasons) Popular for canning 75 days from transplant .09 grams or ~40 Seeds 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