Seeds - Vegetables

Very dark green, deeply lobed glossy leaves are exceptionally nutritious. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Named for an island on which shipwrecked 17th-century Portuguese sailors survived the winter thanks to this little plant. Rich in Vitamin C, calcium, iron, and especially Vitamin A. Best quality in cooler weather. Belle Isle Cress is a fantastic substitute for watercress.  Characteristics: Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Early spring/late fall crop Upright habit 50 days   1/32 oz approx.  Instructions - Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Specialty greens are a broad category of leafy plants, many of which are cold hardy and fast-growing. Crops in this group are gaining popularity due to their ease of culture and unique flavors and colors.  Plant 1/8" deep  Plant 12-18" apart  Plant thin to 4"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

High Mowing Organic Seeds - A versatile broccoli with excellent heat and cold tolerance and uniform, rounded heads. Great choice for spring, summer and fall plantings with excellent vigor. Plants are compact and produce small to medium-sized heads within a 10-14-day harvest window. Domes span 6-8" and average 1.5 lbs. Plants have been known to survive 20-degree temperatures with proper frost protection and care. From our partners at Bejo Seeds. Compact habit Heat tolerant 6-8" heads Hybrid (that is what F1 stands for) 25 Seeds Disease Resistance DetailsHigh Resistance: Fusarium YellowsIntermediate Resistance: Black Rot, White Rust 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

Prolific patty pan with striking pale green fruits that mature to a creamy white. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Bush's habit of plants provide good coverage for dense clusters of scalloped edge fruits. Listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste as a distinctive food facing extinction. Excellent flavor profile when sauteed or stuffed and beautiful addition to squash mixes for market or kitchen harvests. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Patty pan-type Bushy habit Harvest at 3-4" diameter 52 days  1/8 oz approx.    Instructions - Summer squashes are warm-season annuals. Plants need loose, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of nitrogen and a pH of 5.8-6.8. Fertilize seedlings with fish emulsion if leaves are yellow. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. The optimum soil temperature for germination is about 85ºF. Best quality fruit is harvested at 5 – 8” or smaller.  Plant 1/2-1" deep Space plants 12-24"  Plant rows 5-6'  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Big Max Pumpkin Extra large pumpkin often grown for county fairs and Halloween. Weighs up to 100 lbs. or more when well grown. Bright orange fruits with orange flesh good for pies. Pkt (6 g, ~22 seeds), (C. maxima) 115 days. Characteristics:  Beautiful Orange Pumpkin Baking, Eating or Canning 115 days 6.5g 22 seeds per packet on average Planting 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. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Birdhouse Gourds are (L. siceraria) light-green fruits with rounded necks and bowls that grow 14" tall and 12" in diameter. Dried gourds make excellent birdhouses. Vigorous 15-35' vines. 95-110 days. Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 14 inches by 12 inches Vines grow 15-35 feet Make excellent birdhouses 95-110 days 25 Seeds 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 6 weeks before transplanting out in shorter season areas. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Dark and glossy zuchinnis have become the main zuchinni sold and grown in the U.S. Black Beauty hails from my childhood state of Connecticut. This was developed by John Scarchuk.  The plants remain somewhat compact and provide loads of zuchinnis. This particular variety is best picked with 6-8" long.  45-65 days. We source this from multiple places inlcuding Seedsavers Exchange, Southern Exposure, or High Mowing but the seed is always organic. Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo Characteristics:  Organic Glossy, green-black skin Best when eaten under 8 inches Excellent variety for freezing Summer squash 45-65 days ~20 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. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Dusky purple-black fruits bursting with rich flavor—sweet and complex. Indeterminate, 65-75 days from transplant. Characteristics:  Organic Dusky purple-black fruits grow to 1 inch Complex and sweet flavor Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 65-75 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - Edible? Check! Ornamental? Check! Heirloom? Check! This unique runner bean produces sturdy 6-7’ vines that bear both vivid scarlet blooms and flavorful beans that are edible at the immature pod stage (like a green bean) and at the mature stage (like a kidney bean). Pretty, plump bean seeds change first from pink to purple, and finally to a glossy, ebony black. Dating back to the mid-1600s, this variety was first recorded by German botanist Michael Titius in his Catalogues Plantarum. 75 days. 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 75 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

Black Hungarian Pepper is an old heirloom we love to grow! It is rich in flavor, provides a richness to sauces and dishes plus the little bit of heat it provides is perfect. We sometimes will make baked poppers with these when are jalapeños are not quite ready. Our seed this year is from Seedsavers for all of our options.  Seed Savers Exchange -  Highly ornamental and useful in the kitchen, the 4" long fiery fruits of this early-to-mature pepper resemble jalapeños, but are shiny black and eventually ripen to red. The prolific plants grow to 3' tall and produce green foliage highlighted by dark-purple veins alongside beautiful purple flowers. A good substitute for jalapeños. 70-80 days from transplant. Medium hot. Characteristics  Spicy fruits ripen from black to red A good substitute for jalapeños Fruits grow to 4 inches Medium hot pepper 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - Also called Black Crimea and introduced to Seed Savers by Lars Olov Rosenstrom of Sweden. Originally from the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea. Beefsteak fruits are a unique combination of violet-brown and purple-red—they turn almost black with sufficient sunlight and heat. Excellent full flavor. Indeterminate, 70-90 days from transplant Characteristics:  Fruits are violet-brown and purple-red Sun exposure darkens the color Beefsteak tomatoes Excellent flavor Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 70-90 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

Black Muddy River Tomato - Bred by Michael Curtice of Grateful Gardens, the Black Muddy River Tomato performed remarkedly well with neglect. We always like to put new to us varieties in our trial beds that range from weekly pampering to neglect. It performed so well, the fruit was abundant providing a crateful to us by season's end on a dozen plants.  The tomato has a rich tomatoey flavor and the dark oblong fruits invite you in. They cook well in sauces and with their color they elevate salads and side dishes when used fresh. Similair in size to our Blush Artisan Tiger Tomato We had no issues with the fruit or the leaves having any type of blight or fungal disease.  Indeterminate, 70 days from transplant Characteristics:  Fruits grow 4-5" Long, weighing 1-2oz Large Grape tomato Blight resistant Dark Purple, Black and Red Tomato Fruit ripens throughout the season 70 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 - From Russian seeds woman Marina Danilenko. Oval 2" fruits are deep mahogany with garnet red flesh. Preferred by some for a richly colored spaghetti sauce. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant. ±11,000 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Oval fruits grow to 2 inches Fruits are brown-red with bright red flesh Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season 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

Black Prince - Deep reddish-brown fruits, grading to dark brown or black on the shoulders. Interior color varies from dark red to a translucent chestnut brown. 7 oz fruits with juicy, tender texture and appealing fruity flavor.  Heirloom from the Irkutsk, Siberia region.  Short Season Organic & Open-Pollinated Indeterminate 69 Days .16grams or ~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

The Seed Savers Exchange - Russian variety from Russian seeds woman Marina Danilenko. Small plants produce medium-sized brownish-pink fruits with olive green shading. Well-marbled flesh is attractive when blanched and peeled. Rich flavor. Potato leaf foliage. Determinate, 75 days from transplant.  Characteristics:  Organic Medium-sized brown-pink fruits have olive shading Attractive marbled flesh Rich flavor Potato-leaf foliage Determinate - Fruit ripens over a 2 week period 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 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

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 Exchange - Introduced in 1897 by Peter Henderson & Company. Shiny black seeds in 6" pods. A great dual-purpose variety, use for fresh snap beans or dry soup beans. Prolific and dependable. Tolerant of cool temperatures. Bush habit, snap or dry, 50-55 days. ±1,300 seeds/lb. Bush bean Black seeds Prolific and dependable Cool-weather tolerant Snap or dry bean 50-55 days 50 Seeds per packet 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)