Scarlet Runner Bean, 1735 Heirloom
$3.45
$3.95
The Seed Savers Exchange - One of the oldest runner beans in existence. Already well-known in 1735 according to The Gardener’s Dictionary by English botanist Philip Miller; listed in America as early as 1806 by McMahon. Used for ornamental purposes or as a vegetable: small snap pods or green shell beans. Can substitute for limas in cooler climates. Pole habit, 65 days. ±450 seeds/lb.
Characteristics:
Scarlet blossoms
Beans mature to black and speckled mauve
Used for ornamental purposes or as small snap pods or green shell beans
Pole bean
65 days
25 seeds per packet
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Runner beans prefer full sun, although they tolerate part shade very well. Young pods can be eaten whole, or the beans can be eaten fresh or dried. Even the flowers are edible.
Direct Seed 2" apart
Seed Depth: 1"
Rows Apart: 24-36"
Support: Trellis, tepee, or netting
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability
Scarlet Runner Bean, pre-1750 Heirloom
$3.75
$4.00
The Living Seed Company- This heirloom variety dates back to as early as 1750 in the seed trade and much earlier as a Native crop. A versatile plant that offers use in every stage of its life. Traditionally cultivated for the rich tasting dry bean, this unique-looking variety is also enjoyed young as a snap bean or shelled. The seeds begin green, slowly turn bright pink, then specked dark red as they mature. The Scarlet Runner is also commonly grown for its beautiful brilliant red ornamental and edible flowers that bloom throughout the summer; a favorite among hummingbirds, butterflies, chefs, and gardeners alike. Picking the flowers for use promotes continual flowering. 65 days
Characteristics:
Pole bean
Great flavor
Vines grow 12 feet
Snap bean when young
65 days
20 seeds per packet
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields. Or leave on for a dried bean or shell bean.
Direct Seed 4"-8" apart
Planting Depth 1-1.5"
Rows Trellis, Support
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability
Schwarzer Runder Radish, Organic
$3.25
$3.55
Unusual jet-black skin makes gorgeous contrast with the bright white flesh.
High Mowing Organic Seeds - Also known as Black Winter radish, with rich spicy flavor excellent for salads and crudites. Coarse outer skin allows for exceptionally long storage in the ground or the root cellar. Often eaten in Germany as a "beer radish", served thinly sliced with salt and paired with a light beer. From our friends at Sativa Seeds.
Characteristics:
Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated
Winter radish
Stores well
2.5-3" round roots
45-50 days
1/16 oz (250 Seeds)
Instructions - Radishes (Raphanus sativus) are hardy annuals in the Brassicaceae family. Most varieties are best harvested young, but some are specifically selected as winter storage radishes. Remove stones from loose, well-drained soil. Go easy on nitrogen, as excessive amounts can lead to big tops and little roots.
Plant 1" apart
Plant 1/4-1/2" deep
Plant Rows 8-12" apart
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability
Sebastopol Tomato, 1900's Heirloom, organic
$3.75
$4.00
The Living Seed Company - Originated from an elderly woman from Sebastopol, CA, who grew these for 70 years. Big indeterminate, regular leaf, vigorous tomato plants that produce large 3/4" red cherry tomatoes. They are sweet tasting, with a spark of tart flavors. Delicious! The Sebastopol is suited for cooler coastal regions, short season gardens and areas with foggy summer climates. A wonderful salad tomato.
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes
Rare tomato to find
Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season
64-70 days from transplant
25 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
Seed Saver's Mixture Lettuce
$3.45
$3.95
The Seed Savers Exchange - This well-balanced mix of cutting lettuces brings any salad to life. Consisting of tender Australian Yellowleaf, flavorful Forellenschluss, mild Lolla Rossa, striking Red Velvet, and at least four more of our favorite varieties, this cut-and-come-again mix will have a colorful salad on the table within weeks of planting. 40-45 days.
Characteristics:
Best Seller
Mixture Includes
Amish Deer Tongue
Forellenschluss
Lolla Rossa
Red Salad Bowl
at least 4 other flavorful and colorful varieties
40-45 days
±25,000 seeds/oz
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.
Seminole Pumpkin, 1500's Heirloom, Organic
$3.25
$3.75
A very sweet squash or pumpkin and is a great choice for hot and humid areas. The fruits are 6-8" and bell-shaped pumpkins and will keep for 1 year at room temperature. 95 days.
Characteristics:
Organic
Very sweet
Stores for 1 year
90-100 days
~20 Seeds per packet, 2 grams
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
Seneca Red Stalker, Organic
$3.25
$3.75
The Seed Savers Exchange - Flint corn with highly ornamental purple-red stalks and husks. This 1980s introduction is a selection out of the variety Seneca Indian promoted by Robson Seed Farms of Hall, New York. Plants grow 7' tall with large 8-9" ears of multicolor kernels. Can be ground for cornmeal. 100 days. ±2,300 seeds/lb.
Organic
Multicolor kernels
Purple-red stalks and husks
Flint corn
100 days
50 Seeds per packet
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)
Seychelles Pole Bean, Organic
$3.25
$3.55
A prolific producer of perfect quality stringless pods with an archipelago of tender, small seeds inside each.
High Mowing Organic Seeds - Seychelles is an All-America Selections winner with plenty to offer pole bean-lovers: vigorous plants produce a dark green, round pods that drop in clusters of six on a loose hanging truss for an easy and continuous harvest. Great flavor and all-around high performance won our hearts. Vines will reach 5’ tall and require initial training to climb a trellis. From our partners at PureLine Seeds. White seeds.
Characteristics:
Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated
AAS winner
Stringless
5-6" pods
Good disease resistance
Great flavor
Dry bean
60 days
1 oz approx. 45 seeds.
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
Planting Depth 1"
Plant Rows Apart 36"-48"
Shanghai Green Pac Choy Asian Green
$3.25
$3.75
Seed Exchange - If you love stir-fry—or just tasty vegetables—these easy-to-grow greens are a must! This popular pak choi matures early and has thick, dark-green leaves and light-green petioles shaped like an hourglass. This variety has excellent heat tolerance and adapts well to most areas provided temperatures stay between 50-80°F. Chefs and home cooks alike tout its tender leaves and excellent flavor. (aka Pac Choy, Bok Choy) 35-40 days.
Mild flavor
Light green stems and leaves
Bolt resistant
45-50 days
±500 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
Sheboygan Tomato, 1900's Heirloom
$3.45
$3.95
The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced into the 1998 Yearbook by SSE member Jeff Nekola. Grown since the early 1900s by Lithuanian immigrants in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Pink paste-type 4-6 ounce fruits. Excellent flavor. Heavy yields, great for canning. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant.
Characteristics:
Organic
Pink paste tomatoes grow to 4-6 ounces
Excellent flavor
Very productive
Great for canning
Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season
80 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 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
Shin Kuroda Carrot
$3.75
Shin Kuroda Carrot - This Japanese sweet carrot has exceptional flavor and texture. Popular in Asia, this attractive variety boasts a smooth, bright red-orange flesh and a shorter body, about 5” long, with wide shoulders. The kuroda or koyo has high sugar content, known to have a high beta carotene concentration (vitamin A) and is excellent for juicing, eating raw, steamed or cooked. The high yielding kuroda will do well in mild climates and heavy soil, can be grown as spring and fall crop and is a great one for storing. Can keep them in the ground until it freezes.
Characteristics:
Non-GMO, and open-pollinated
Long storing
High Brix content
7-9
75 days
600 seeds
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors before 3-4 weeks of last frost or soil can be worked.
Plant 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
Shintokiwa Cucumber, Organic
$3.45
$3.75
Long, thin skinned fruit with a small seed cavity and exceptional flavor and crunch.
Plants are vigorous and produce, long, slender fruit that resists bitterness as they mature. Even when harvested at a larger size, fruit is juicy with bright, crisp texture and a sweet, vibrant flavor. A superior producer of uniform, long cucumbers that can be trellised for straight fruits. Harvest when cucumbers are thin and 9 inches long or shorter for optimal sweetness. Introduced by Japanese Rudolf Steiner students and stewarded by biodynamic seed grower Harald Hoven for years. Now stewarded by Meadowlark Hearth Biodynamic Seed Initiative.
Japanese burpless type
Monoecious
9-12" fruits
Organic and Open-Pollinated
Disease Resistance Details
High Resistance: Bacterial Wilt
Instructions:
Plant 1/2" deep
Plant Spacing: For slicing cukes 12-24", for pickling cukes 8-12”, for greenhouse cukes 20”.
Row spacing: for slicing and greenhouse cukes 5-6’, for pickling cukes 3-6’.
Light: Full Sun
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability
Shiraz Beet, Organic
$3.25
Unparalleled aesthetics and taste with impressive resistances make Shiraz a reliable choice.
High Mowing Organic Seeds - A strong parent line of three different heirlooms gives Shiraz genes that can't be beaten: tall, succulent tops for high-quality greens and easy bunching. Rhizoctonia-resistant and exceptionally smooth, round roots. Bred by Steve Peters in collaboration with crop scientists from the Organic Seed Alliance.
Characteristics:
Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated
Tall tops
Excellent for processing
3-4" roots
Round roots
60 days
1/16 oz approx. 125 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
Shishito Pepper (Sweet), Organic
$3.25
$3.55
High Mowing Organic Seeds -Small, mild Japanese pepper for roasting, pan-frying and grilling.
Thin walls blister and char easily when roasted or grilled, taking on rich flavor that is delicious with coarse salt and lemon juice (or with a splash of soy sauce). The occasional fruit will display heat. Typically harvested and used green, but eventually turns orange and red with sweeter flavor. Prolific!
Organic and Open Pollinated
Eat fresh
Mild but can be hot from time to time
Harvest in 60-75 days from transplant
Hot pepper
1/64 ounce (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 18-36" apart
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability
Shishito Pepper (Sweet),Organic
$3.45
$3.95
Seed Savers Exchange - Compact, bushy plants produce an abundance of 3.5-4"" wrinkled fruits over an extended period. When eaten in the green stage, as is traditional in Japan, peppers are incredibly crunchy with just a hint of heat. When red, the fruits are sweet and slightly hotter but not as crunchy. Perfect for frying, this Japanese heirloom’s fruits are usually mild, but an occasional pepper (about one in 10) is hot. Kitazawa Seed Company played an instrumental role in introducing ‘Shishito’ to the United States seed trade; Seed Savers Exchange acquired the variety in the 1980s from the Urban Farmerseed company of Convent Station, N.J. 80 days from transplant. Sweet with an occasional hot pepper. Organic.
Characteristics
Organic
Japanese heirloom is highly productive
Fruits grow to 3.5 to 4 inches
Very crunchy when green, slightly hotter when ripe
Sweet with occasional hot pepper
New for 2021
From the Collection
80 days from transplant
25 Seeds per Packet
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 the soil is warm.
Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost
Plant Rows 12-24” Apart
Germinates in 14 days
Full Sun
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability