Slow Food's The Ark of the Taste Collection

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Popular northern heirloom, though it was likely developed in VA by Jacob Trout.] Beautiful and distinctive seeds. Large, kidney-shaped beans are spotted with maroon markings on a white coat. Excellent for baking and soups.  Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the South-East  From Small Farms  Instructions - Similar to Snap Beans, peppering seeds with inoculants before sowing helps ensure good growth. Beans may benefit from a source of soluble nitrogen (if your soil is low in nitrogen) during the first 3 weeks until nitrogen-fixing nodules develop, but do not apply nitrogen after this period. Dark-seeded beans are more resistant to rotting in cool soil than light-seeded beans. Beans need a minimum soil temperature of 65 degrees F to germinate well, otherwise, seeds may rot. Harvest dried pods before rains so seeds won’t mold inside pods. Continue drying pods for 2-4 weeks under cover before shelling and storing.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

For October and November, We are using seed from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange due to availability. Seedsaver Exchange switches over in November to their new seeds, while Southern Exposure Seed Exchange switches over in August. Seed Savers Exchange - Dependable and delicious, these fire-engine-red peppers were given to Seed Savers Exchange by Jimmy Nardello, whose mother brought the seeds to the United States when she emigrated with her husband, Guiseppe, from the Basilicata region of Italy in 1887. One of the best peppers for frying, with a mild, spicy flavor. Productive plants are loaded with glossy-red 10"-long peppers. Plants may have to be staked. An SSE staff favorite. 80-90 days from transplant. Sweet. Characteristics:  Very productive Excellent frying pepper Sweet pepper 50 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 the 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 - Family heirloom brought to Missouri by covered wagon in the 1880s by Lina’s grandmother. Lina Sisco was one of the six original members of SSE, which was founded in 1975. Large tan bean with maroon markings. This is very similar to a Cherry Bean or a Dwarf Horticulture Bean. The pods are mature to be maroon with cream striping.  The horticultural type is used as a dry bean. Bush habit, dry, 85 days. ±1,100 seeds/lb. Bush bean Open-Pollinated Tan beans with maroon markings Dry or Horticultural bean 85 days 50 Seeds per Pack   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  Plant 1" deep Plant 36-48" rows apart 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)

Lorz Italian Softneck Braids - Out farmer loves to braid her prized Lorz Italian Garlic. She grows a limited amount each year and we were lucky enough io be able to be offered some braids. This strain if Lorz has been grown in her family for decades. This garlic will last us through June so use it after you run out of other garlics. The braids are 1 lb and have planting and culinary sizes. Plant the bigger ones and the smaller ones. They are hardy with mulch (like hardnecks) in our zone 4 climate. They the thrive in zones 4-9.  7-14 Cloves per head Softneck  garlic Sweet, mellow and rich garlic flavors Need 10+ or more, check out our 10lb options Garlic is a wonderful addition to our gardens. It is found in just about every household in America. It is very easy to grow in most of the United States. Our seedstock would be considered Large to Jumbo around 2” unless we have it noted. We only sell garlic that is excellent quality seed-stock. We then open our culinary stock up once we have sorted all of our harvests.  We ship in mid to late September, depending on the variety. Please contact us to see what we have in stock  There are 3 types of garlic to choose from: Hardneck, Softneck, and Elephant.  Here is the lowdown on what this means so you can choose the best one for you and your family.  Types of Garlic Hardneck - Cold Hardy to Zones 3-7 (and colder), Produces Garlic Scapes, Produces less cloves than softnecks but is generally larger, it stores for 3-5 months after harvest Softneck - Great for warm areas (zones (8-9) as they don't need the cold to make cloves, store for up to 9 months, smaller than hardnecks. Our varieties are hardy to zone 4. Elephant - Not really a garlic but an allium that possesses garlic like flavors. A clove can take 1-2 years to split into cloves. Plant in the fall or cooler season for areas with no frosts.  Very large cloves with mild garlic flavors.  Growing Instructions: For those in zones 3-7, plant garlic about 2-4 weeks before your first hard frost (not your first frost, but your first hard killing frost).  Garlic needs about 4-8 weeks to root in and grow before the ground freezes.  Plant 4" Deep Space 6-8" apart Mulch with 2-4" of straw, wood chips or other organic mulch, but refrain from pine straw or cedar chips.  Weed often as garlic hates competition Hardnecks produce a garlic scape (flower) that should be harvested before the flower fully develops. This increases the bulb size.    

The Seed Exchange - (aka Amish Knuttle) Cut short-type bean packed with small square seeds that are white speckled with rose. Prized for delicious flavor despite strings. Also excellent as a dry bean. Pole habit, snap or dry, 100 days. It is said these beans came over with the Pilgrims but it’s more likely they were gifted by Native Americans.  Pole bean Square white seeds speckled with rose Delicious flavor despite strings Excellent as a dry bean Snap or dry bean 100 days   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  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 - Eye-popping and scrumptious with bright pink sweet flesh and black seeds, this variety produces fruits that are about 2' long and weigh 10-16 pounds. Introduced in 1924 as Sun, Moon, and Stars by Peter Henderson & Co of New York. This strain is from Mereel Hales of Oklahoma who feels it is a pure example of the original variety Hales received from a Cherokee man in Mississippi. 95 days. Characteristics:  Organic Elongated fruits grow to 24 inches long Fruits weigh up to 10-16 pounds Sweet pink flesh Speckled rind with "moon" and "star" markings 95 days 25 seeds 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 - Eye-popping and scrumptious with bright pink sweet flesh and black seeds, this variety produces fruits that are about 2' long and weigh 10-16 pounds. Introduced in 1924 as Sun, Moon, and Stars by Peter Henderson & Co of New York. This strain is from Mereel Hales of Oklahoma who feels it is a pure example of the original variety Hales received from a Cherokee man in Mississippi. 95 days. Characteristics:  Organic Elongated fruits grow to 24 inches long Fruits weigh up to 10-16 pounds Sweet pink flesh Speckled rind with "moon" and "star" markings 95 days 25 seeds 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 Yellow-Fleshed Moon & Stars was introduced by Southern Exposure in 1987. It is an heirloom often grown in Georgia in the early 1900's. We started carrying this from Seedsavers Exchange as we carry their entire line and enjoyed planting it our first year with great results. The fruits range from 15-25 pounds. The flesh is a yellow orange color and it was the traditional moon and stars spotted rind while it has white seeds. We carry it from seed labels where we can find it available inlcuding Southern Exposure Seed Exchange when they offer it in retail packets for us.  Characteristics:  Organic Oval fruits grow to 24 inches long and 16 pounds Yellow flesh and white seeds Foliage and fruits are spotted with yellow Some disease and drought tolerance 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 

North Georgia Candy Roaster are such a delicacy. They love being trellised and their strong stems means no support is needed. Plant a few of these to enjoy one of the tastiest squashes you’ll ever have!  Ribbed, Speckled skin Up to 18”, 8-15 lbs Winter squash 95-100 days 20 Seeds Harvest once the rind is dry and hard    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

Seed Savers Exchange - An Ohio heirloom from the family of SSE member Nick Rini dating back to at least 1940. Tomato-type peppers are exceedingly flavorful with sweet juicy flesh. Very meaty, good for canning. Keeps for an extended period when refrigerated. 70-80 days from transplant. Sweet.  Characteristics  Organic Flattened, tomato-type pepper Sweet, juicy, thick flesh Good canning variety Stores well when refrigerated Sweet pepper 70-80 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) (aka Pike’s Peak) Introduced by Hiram Sibley & Co. of Rochester, New York in 1888. Superb banana squash with thick sweet flesh. James J. H. Gregory found it simply “magnificent.” Winner of the SSE staff taste test in 2014. Hard-rinded, inversely pear-shaped, excellent keeper. 110 days.  Characteristics:  Banana type squash Hard, light blue rind Thick, sweet flesh Excellent keeper Winter squash 110 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 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.

At one point in history, Tennis Ball Lettuce, dominated the market. It grew even in the darkest of days very well and had a tolerance for the cold. America can thank Bethiah Oliver, Massachusetts seedswoman who imported it to America from the United Kingdom in 1769 There were two strains, white-seeded and black-seeded. The white-seeded strain, popular in the North, matures two weeks earlier and is slightly more bitter than the black-seeded. The southern United States, favored the black-seeded strain. Is it possible they favored it because of its sweetness or their contempt for the northern states?  Additionally at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson grew 15 varieties of lettuce and favored the Tennis Ball for its low maintenance compared to other lettuces.  We are currently stocking Southern Exposure while we wait for the 2026 seeds from Seedsavers. Both are the black seeded variety.  The Seed Savers Exchange - Small rosettes of light green leaves measure only 7" in diameter and form loose tender heads. Grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. According to Heirloom Vegetable Gardening by SSE member William Woys Weaver, tennis ball lettuces were often pickled in salt brine during the 17th and 18th centuries. Black-seeded. Butterhead, 50 days Characteristics:  Organic Heads grow to 7 inches Soft textured rosettes Black seeded Butterhead lettuce 50 days 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.

Currently stocking Southern Expsoure Seed Exchange. We carry both throughout to year depending on timing. The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) (aka Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato) Originally from Thelma Sanders of Kirksville, Missouri. The seed was passed from Evert Pettit to Sue and Tom Knoche, Ohio squash collectors. All these seed stewards were among SSE’s earliest members. Wonderful cream-colored acorn squash. Sweet chestnut flavor, enormously productive. Thelma described this good keeper as ‘better than sweet potatoes.’ 85-90 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Cream-colored acorn squash Sweet chestnut flavor Extremely productive Winter squash 85-90 days At least 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.  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)

Seed Exchange - Wejn's Yellow Hot Pepper, Three-inch long wax peppers with thick walls, ripen from yellow to bright orange then red. Grown by the late Eris Wenk, one of the last large truck farmers in Albuquerque’s South Valley. A great variety for canning and pickling. 80 days from transplant Organic Waxy fruits ripen from yellow to red Medium hot pepper Fruits grow to 3 inches Great for canning and pickling 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

This is a favorite to grow! It is a giant producer for us. We are offering this in bull starting 12/15. We have orders for 4-5 packets at a time so we thought best just to offer that.  Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Brought to the Americas from Africa during the slave trade. Grown by Jefferson at Monticello. Once the standard for southern peas, this variety is drought-tolerant and will grow in almost all soils. 5 ft. vines produce extended harvests of 7-9 in. green pods. Small seeds are light brown with dark speckles, good eaten green or dried. Small packet has about 85 seeds. 72 days. Vigna unguiculata Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the South-East  85 seeds Instructions - Need warm soil to germinate; sow a month after the last frost. Grow in the same manner as pole beans or along a trellis, sow seeds 3/4 in. deep, 4 in. apart, thinning to 8 in. One planting along a tall trellis will produce well all season.  Easily grown Thrive in hot weather  Tolerant of a wide range of soils  Flavor - The flavor is similar to southern peas but with a drier, nutty quality. Sweet and mild, resembling the combined flavor of asparagus, mushrooms, and beans. Braid or tie into knots before cooking. The young leaves and stems are also edible.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability