Seeds - Vegetables

Southern Exposure Seed Excahnge - 24 days. Bicolored globes, bright scarlet on the upper portion, and white on the lower third. Medium tops and sweet, white flesh.  Organic and Open Pollinated Looks like a rounded French Breakfast 24 days 7 grams (~600 Seeds) Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Plant in full sun. Successive plantings can be made every 2-3 weeks throughout summer and fall to provide a continual harvest. Plant 1" apart Plant 1/2" deep Plant Rows 12" apart Thin 2-3" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Family heirloom was sent to SSE in 1983 by SSE member Mark Reusser. His father obtained it from Urias Martin, whose Mennonite ancestors likely brought it in the early 1800s from Pennsylvania to Ontario. Juicy thick leaves are green tinged with red. Mild flavor. Looseleaf, 40-55 days. ±27,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Organic Green leaves tinged with red Mild flavor 40-55 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 - Developed by SSE member John Swenson as a result of a stabilized cross of Antique Roman and Banana Legs, and introduced into the 1999 Yearbook. Gorgeous 5" long fruits with jagged orange and yellow stripes. Meaty flesh with few seeds. Great tomato taste, ideal for processing and fresh eating. Very productive. Indeterminate, 85 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Red fruits with orange and yellow stripes Meaty flesh with very few seeds Great tomato taste Ideal for processing and fresh eating Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 85 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

Seed Exchange - This spicy selection of greens will enliven a salad or add a dash of flavor to a sandwich. This delectable, colorful baby salad greens mix includes Tango and Speckled lettuce but raises the taste level with Red Russian kale, peppery arugula, endive, and Asian greens Peking Ta Ching Kou Pai Tsai and Mizuna. It can be used as a cut-and-come-again crop, or some plants can be left to grow and be eaten as they mature. Baby greens, 30 days. Characteristics:  Organic  SSE Exclusive Developed at SSE Cut-and-come-again greens Baby greens, 30 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.

We like growing these outs though we never tried putting them in our pocket. They grow fast and are good short season variety for folks where their seasons are a little short. Our orginal seed comes from Seedsavers and we offer their retail branded packets for those that want a beautiful picture.  The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) (aka Dancing) Sent to SSE by member Junior Gordon whose seeds were from his brother in Hickman County, Tennessee. Years ago children would carry these gourds in their pockets to play with at school where they would spin them on their desks. Hard-shelled when dried, great ornamental. 90-100 days. Characteristics:  Used for fall decorations Great for market growers and roadside stands 90-100 days 25 Seeds per pack  Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed in 12" diameter hills. Space hills 6' apart in all directions. In short-season areas, growth from transplants started indoors 8 weeks in advance. Gourds grow well on fences or garden trellises. Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Exchange - Plant this crop early…harvest it regularly…and enjoy it steamed, grilled, or sautéed! Grown for its slightly nutty, asparagus-flavored side shoots, broccoli raab (also known as rapini) is related to both broccoli and turnips but is actually closer to turnips in terms of cultivation. Large plants mature over a 1-2 week period, bearing side shoots and large, tender, abundant leaves on thin stems. 40-60 days. Organic Organic Slightly nutty, asparagus-flavored shoots Large plans mature over a 1-2 week period 40-60 days from transplant 200 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Broccoli prefers cool temperatures and a regular supply of water. In many regions it can be grown as both a spring and fall crop. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost Germination 3-10 days Plant apart 24"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability.  

Renee's Garden - We think that our Kurin Kabocha is the most scrumptious of all long-keeping winter squash. Kurin’s intensely orange flesh has a moist, fluffy texture and truly outstanding nutty-sweet, buttery flavor. Besides being absolutely delicious, kabochas are chock full of natural vitamin A, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. These beauties are a breeze to grow; you can even easily train them up a trellis. Once harvested, the squashes will keep for months.  Characteristics:  Long keeper with a fluffy texture  A sweet, nutty flavor  Easy to grow    Instructions - Long-keeping winter squash needs full sun, rich fertile soil, and warm temperatures. Wait to plant until nights are comfortably above 50°F both day and night. Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 2 ft. apart and 1 in. deep in rows 4 ft. apart. Thin to 1 strong seedling per group to give vines room to ramble or climb. Or make slightly mounded hills 2 to 3 ft. across and 6 ft. apart and plant 4 to 5 seeds in each hill. When seedlings have several sets of leaves, thin to the strongest 3 seedlings per hill. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering them with plastic berry baskets at sowing time, and removing them before plants get crowded. To save space, vines can be trained up fences, trellises, or tepees. Winter squashes need to mature properly, so don’t harvest until vines have died back and the squashes’ exterior rinds are fully dark green and tough enough to resist piercing with a fingernail. Then cut squashes from vines, leaving a good stem handle. Cure in the sun for about 10 days, before storing in a cool dry place where they will keep for months.  Plant in May-June for cold winters; April-June for mild winters  Full Sun  Space seeds in rows 4 feet apart; hills in 6"  7-10 days to germinate  95 days to harvest  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Deliciously sweet and excellent for storage, the fine-grained, red-orange roots of this historic variety, also known as James Scarlet, grow up to 12" long. In 1885, the renowned French seed company Vilmorin-Andrieux stated the variety had been grown for a “long time,” and in 1924, James Vick & Sons Company of Rochester, New York, reported that St. Valery was “the best and most handsome main crop carrot... enormously productive.” 80-90 days. ±20,000 seeds/oz. Red-orange skin Sweet flavor and fine texture Roots grow up to 12 inches Excellent for storage 80-90 days 250 Seeds per pack Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 3-4 weeks before last spring frost, or as soon as soil can be worked. Keeping the soil moist throughout the germination period is important to success. Misting the planted area daily or covering is recommended. Carrots are slow to germinate and need steady moisture until germination. Sow successively throughout the season for fresh carrots. Direct Seed 1/2" apart Plant 1/4" deep Plant rows 16-24" apart Thin 2-4" 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 - (aka Old Fashioned Okra) Tall 7' plants have purple coloration on leaves and thick pods that are best picked at about 3" long. Cross-sections of pods look like the Star of David, giving this variety its name. Like many okra varieties, this plant bears beautiful flowers and foliage that could warrant a place in the ornamental border. 60-75 days.  Characteristics:  Plants grow to 7 feet tall Plants have purple coloration on leaves Best harvested when pods are 3 inches long 60-75 days 100 Seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but does not tolerate cold well. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Dixie Belle) Southern favorite introduced in 1924 by Hastings Seed Company of Atlanta, Georgia. One of the most popular watermelons during the 1930s and 1940s but is now scarce. Round dark green fruits with sweet pink flesh average 30 pounds. Thick rind resists splitting, a good choice for shipping or storage. The rind is also excellent for pickling. 80-95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Round fruits grow to 30 pounds Sweet, pink flesh Thick, dark green rind prevents splitting and is good for pickling 80-95 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 

Seed Exchange - The leading white sweet corn for home and market gardeners, this drought-tolerant historic variety was introduced in the mid-1800s, after years of refining, by Nathaniel Newman Stowell. It earned great praise at the time from farmers, and the 1853 Pennsylvania Farm Journal’s comments were also consistently positive. From there, the variety commercialized quickly, and by 1858, it was being sold by James M. Thorburn & Company of New York. Ears grow beautifully to 8-9" long, 1-2 ears per stalk, and hold well. 80-100 days. ±2,300 seeds/lb. Organic & Open-Pollinated White kernels Ears grow to 8-9 inches Produces 1-2 ears per stalk Sweet corn 80-100 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)

The Living Seed Company - Introduced in 1935 by Ferry Morse, the Straight Eight continues to grow prolific 8" perfect cucumbers.   Known for its deep green smooth skin and being an early producer, Straight Eight tolerates mosaic virus and will keep you and your neighbors happy all summer long! Organic Harvest at 8" for fresh eating or 3-5" for pickling Harvest for pickling in the morning 55-60 days 25 Seeds   Instructions - Sow outside after all danger of frost. For best results grow on a trellis to keep the fruits straight.  Mulch the plants when 10" tall to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.  Sow 2-3 weeks after the last frost Plant 12" apart Thin to every 3-4' Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Chenopodium capitatum) (aka Strawberry Blite) Grown in Europe for centuries. Very showy compact 18" plants are grown for their nutritious triangular toothed leaves and tender shoots, used in salads or steamed. Shiny red mulberry-like fruits are edible and can be added to salads or used to make dyes. Becoming scarce. Self-seeding annual, 90 days.  Characteristics:  The plant grows to 18 inches tall Triangular toothed leaves Tender shoots and leaves are used in salads or steamed Red, mulberry-like fruits are edible Self-seeding annuals 90 days 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. Plant in full sun or partial shade.  Direct Seed: 1" Apart Seed Depth: 1/8" Rows Apart: 20-24" Thin: 4-6" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Strawberry Watermelon - Strawberry-red flesh ripens to within ½ in. of the rind. Delicate texture and outstanding flavor, one of the best we offer. Long melons (8 x 20 in.), 15-25 lbs, dark green rind with darker green stripes, white seeds. Very good disease resistance. Pkt (3 g, about 31 seeds) Developed by Walt Childs and introduced in 1989. Strawberry watermelon was selected from a heirloom planting.  Characteristics:  Organic 15-20lbs Sweet flavor High disease resistance 85 days to maturity 20-60 Seeds per packet, based on weight of 3g and 31 seeds is average 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 Seed Savers Exchange - This flavorful, decorartive lettuce variety looks as great as it tastes and it also tolerates heat. Sweet, crunchy, and not the least bit bitter, it dates from the 1500's and was reintroduced into the modern seed trade by Dr. Alan Kapuler of Peace Seeds, a Seed Savers Exchange lifetime member from Corvallis, Oregon. A unique star-shaped rosette of pointed, long, slender leaves makes this lettuce stand out wherever it's planted - in a field, garden bed, or container. Looseleaf, 48 days. Characteristics 48 days Organic Looseleaf lettuce Heat-tolerant 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 - One of four tomato varieties sent to the U.S. from former Czechoslovakia by Milan Sodomka. Compact plants with potato leaf foliage loaded with clusters of 2" fruits. Quite early, great flavor. Heavy yields all season. Produces well in northern climates. Indeterminate, 55-70 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Clusters of 2" red fruit Early maturing and productive variety Potato leaf foliage Produces well in northern climates Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 55-70 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