Seeds - Vegetables

Arrives 12/10 - Tomatoberry Tomato - The tomatos are shaped simliar to a heart with a tapered point at the blossom end. The tomato is bursting with tomato flavor even in the fall when the days are cooling down. The fruit experienced no cracking or any sign of diseases throughout the growing season.  It was a true rockstar perfect for market gardeners who need to have near perfect fruit in the garden. The 1" fruits also ripen in clusters making for easy harvests.  Since it is a protected hybrid the seeds will come from the hybridizer this year.  We were encouraged to grow this by a local gardener who frequents Firefly Farm & Mercantile's retail garden shop.  She was looking for the seed and the retails packs were not available so we found the seed in bulk.  We normally do not grow out many hybrids as we like to focus on open-pollinated varieties but I am glad we tried this one. Ready to harvest when soft to the touch and yellow-green steioes. Indeterminate, 80-95 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Cherry tomato - 1" wide and 1.5" tall Fruit ripens throughout the season 60 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 - Exceptionally vigorous plants yield hundreds of large red cherry tomatoes throughout the season. The superb flavor won it top billing over 100 other varieties in an Australian taste test. Indeterminate, 70 days from transplant. ±13,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Red cherry tomato Superb flavor Very productive Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 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

Improved gold beet with a mild flavor and vibrant color retained in cooking.   High Mowing Organic Seeds - From Alf Christianson Seed Company, the breeders of Red Ace F1 and Guardsmark Chioggia, this is an improved golden beet with better germination and uniformity than standard golden types, and less zoning. Attractive solid green tops quickly shade out weeds. Germinates best in warmer soil. Precision sized. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Improved germination  3" roots  Uniform shape   55 days 100 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Seeds will germinate in 5-10 days. Keep planting in two-week intervals for a continuous harvest.  Direct Seed: 2" apart Planting Depth: 1/2 - 3/4"  Plant Rows Apart: 12-24"  Thin: 2-4" apart depending on desired size 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) (aka Citrouille de Touraine, French Tours) An historic French field pumpkin, named for its place of origin, and listed by Vilmorin as early as 1856. Large-fruited (17 pounds), with distinctive large oil seeds with wide margins which were once used in the manufacture of sugar-coated pills and as a remedy for tapeworm. Great for displays and carving. 90-100 days.  Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 17 pounds Very large seeds Dark green skin striped with yellow Winter squash 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

Seed Exchange - Tres Fine Maraichere Endive is quick growing miniature French “frisée” type endive. Narrow finely curled leaves can be grown for baby leaves or larger mature leaves. The excellent delicate flavor when harvested young. 30 days baby greens, 50 days mature.(Cichorium endivia)  Quick growing Frisee leaves Delicate flavor 30 days baby greens, 50 days mature Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Plant out when a light frost is still possible. Can also be directly sown outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Plant closer together or cover centers for well-blanched, tender stems. Sow indoors 5-6 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinate 5-7 days Plant 4-6" 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)

Back in stock this year. Renee's Garden - This wonderful Italian heirloom summer squash is a vigorous climbing vine, producing many 12 to 15 inch, lime-green fruits with a curvaceous trumpet shape and a delicate mild taste with a hint of nutty artichoke flavor. Trombetta’s flesh is seedless and firm and doesn’t get watery or mushy like regular zucchini. The rambling plants will soon cover a trellis, fence, or stakes with graceful fruits that hang like jade ornaments cloaked in a lush canopy of big, heart-shaped leaves.  Characteristics:  Heirloom  Long and curvy squash  Lime-green fruits  Delicate and mild-nutty flavor   58 days  Approx 25-30 seeds   Instructions - Squash needs full sun, rich fertile soil, and warm temperatures. Plant only when spring weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay above 55°F (13°C). Train vigorous Trombetta vines up 6 to 8-foot stakes or a fence or trellis where they will make a lush leafy arbor or canopy and save garden space. Plant in full sun, sowing groups of 2-3 seeds 1 inch deep and 4 inches from vertical supports. Thin to the strongest seedling for each pole or to 12 inches apart along a fence.  Plant In: April - June  Full Sun Plant 4 inches apart  7-10 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced in 1870 by Colonel George E. Waring, Jr., of Rhode Island. Sold for five dollars per packet (equivalent to eighty dollars today). Gardeners paid the exorbitant price hoping to win the $100 grand prize at the local fair. Sweet 5-7 ounce tomatoes are ideal for slicing. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant. ±11,300 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Round, red fruits grow to 5-7 ounces Sweet flavor Ideal for slicing Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - This is the best strain of Trucker’s Favorite in SSE’s tomato collection. Uniform 3" pink globes grow in clusters of 3-4. Excellent flavor. Productive plants with good blight resistance. Indeterminate, 75 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Uniform 3" pink globes in clusters of 3-4 Excellent flavor Productive plants with good blight resistance Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 75 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - This rust- and drought-resistant, highly productive variety is a popular market cucumber in Australia, where it is also known as Lemon or Garden Lemon cucumber due to its lemon-like appearance when ripe and its slightly citrusy flavor. Easy to digest and well-suited for pickling and fresh eating, it was listed in the 1894 catalog of Samuel Wilson of Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania. 58-70 days. ±700 seeds/oz. Organic & Open-pollinated Fruits resemble a lemon Faint lemon flavor Extremely productive Rust and drought resistant 58-70 days 30 Seeds per packet Instructions - When growing plants on a trellis, space seed 6-8" apart and thin plants as necessary; train plants to climb the trellis with 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 the last frost. Cucumbers benefit from steady moisture. 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 We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) (aka French Turban, Turk’s Cap) Predates the 1820s; may be the ancestral form of American Turban. Distinctive turban-shaped fruits grow up to 12" in diameter and weigh an average of 5 pounds. Beautiful bright orange skin streaked with light and dark olive green. Great decorative squash for fall displays. Thick flesh is mildly sweet. 80-100 days.  Characteristics:  Bright orange skin streaked with green Turban shaped fruits grow up to 12 inches and 5 pounds Mildly sweet flesh Winter squash 80-100 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 Seed Exchange -  Collected in regions of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, this variety’s original seed is reported to have been found in a wild turkey’s craw. As they mature, the stringless 6" pods enclose attractive brown seeds with tan flecks and brown eye rings. Used as a snap bean or a dry bean; excellent canned or frozen. From the Wanigan Associates Collection organized by the late John Withee. Pole habit, snap or dry, 80-100 days. ±1,100 seeds/lb. Pole bean Open-Pollinated Stringless pods Brown beans with tan flecks Snap or dry bean 80-100 days 50 Seeds per packet 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  We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Renee's Garden - Imported from Italy, our Tuscan kale strain is the fastest growing and best tasting for baby leaf salads. Easily grown by the “cut and come again” method, seeds are sown thickly, then cut as needed when just 4 to 5 inches tall, leaving the crowns to regrow for multiple additional harvests. Baby leaf kale has a much more tender texture and milder sweet flavor than mature kale and makes a wonderful fresh salad. See our website for recipes!  Characteristics:  Fast-growing  Tender texture  Milder sweet flavor  25 days  225 seeds    Instructions - Beginning in early spring, sow seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Shake seeds loosely from your hand, broadcasting about 1 inch apart over the entire seedbed or in wide rows, and cover lightly and evenly with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Firm soil gently and water in with a fine spray, then keep the seedbed evenly moist. Make successive sowings every 3 weeks until summer weather turns really hot for a constant supply. Plant again in late summer for fall harvesting. Plant In: February - September   Full Sun Plant 1 inch apart Plant 1/4" deep 5-10 days to germinate  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Purple Russian) Original stock of this variety came from Irma Henkel in Ukraine. Plum-shaped fruits are 3-4" long and weigh 6 ounces, generally crack-free. Great flavor, sweet and meaty. Plants are very productive. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant. ±11,800 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Plum-shaped fruits are purple-red Fruits grow to 3-4 inches long and 6 ounces Flavorful, sweet, meaty flesh Resistant to cracking Very productive Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 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

Versatile day-neutral sweet Spanish onion for all regions. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Mild to sweet flavor. Excellent for bunching when young or for fresh market sales of large bulbs with warm golden-brown skin. Stores moderately well.  Characteristics:  Day neutral 4" bulbs Open-Pollinated 1/64 oz 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

Seed Exchange - (Brassica oleracea) (aka Blue Stem, Vates Non-Heading) Developed by and named for the Virginia Truck Experiment Station. Dark green leaves on upright 24-inch plants. Known for lack of purpling in veins and leaves. Excellent variety for boiling. Bolt and frost resistant. 60-80 days. ±7,000 seeds/oz.  Known for its lack of purpling Grows to 2 feet tall Excellent variety for boiling Bolt and frost resistant 60-80 days 100 Seeds per packet Instructions:  Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Can also be direct seeded outdoors 3 months before fall frost. Collards are most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest may continue even after snow. Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 3-10 Days Plant Outdoors: 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 - Winner of the 2009 Tomato Tasting at SSE’s Heritage Farm. From SSE member Joe Bratka of Elmwood, New Jersey. Striking silvery gray dusty miller-type foliage. Heavy yields of 1" cherry tomatoes, excellent sweet flavor. Occasionally a non-silvery plant will appear. Indeterminate, 75-80 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Winner of the 2009 Tomato Tasting at SSE’s Heritage Farm Red cherry tomatoes grow to 1 inch Excellent sweet flavor Silvery-gray foliage Heavy yields 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - Large, round bulbs boast sweet, mild, juicy flesh. Famous for its mild flavor, this long-day sweet onion is the only northern onion ever to match the quality of the popular Vidalia types. Well-grown bulbs can reach 2 pounds apiece and will store 2-3 months. 90 days.  Characteristics:  Long-day onion Bulbs grow to 2 pounds Globe-shaped, solid bulbs Can store 2-3 months 90 days from transplant New for 2021 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

High Mowing Organic Seeds -Best variety for bunched side shoots. Sturdy 20" plants support 5-6" loose, dark blue green heads with medium to large beads and long stalks (hard to find with modern hybrids and this is an open-pollinated type). Developed to withstand increasing cold for fall maturity. Heat-sensitive. Characteristics: Fall crop Many side shoots 5-6" heads Open-Pollinated Instructions - Moderately hardy annuals that combine qualities of mustard greens and broccoli for salads and light cooking. Grown for their tender flowering shoots, this large family of vegetables has no central head but many tender leaves and side shoots with penny size clusters of buds. Many plants in this family are quite beautiful in the garden, some favoring cooler seasons and some preferring heat. Use floating row cover when planting to protect from flea beetles. Will tolerate light frosts. Harvest multiple times as flower stalks peak above foliage or for a one-time harvest. Plant 1/2" deep  Space 2" apart  Row Spacing: 18-24"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability