Firefly Farm & Mercantile

08/31/2026

Everyday we publish a new garden guide. We write How to's, Plant Bios, Informational Articles and more. Today's article helps you discern buying or using older seeds. With all the sales going on, it's good to know what to look for. PS buying seeds in clearance in a greenhouse setting may not be as good as buying them from a climate controlled store.

Learn how to test if seeds are still good with simple methods. Discover seed viability tests, storage tips, and when to discard old seeds.

08/23/2026

Share those sauerkraut recipes! I have tried various methods of sauerkraut with just salt and cabbage as the ingredients and this year was the best success ever! Canning salt and weighing the cabbage so I can add 2% of salt in weight was key. I did a little over just to be sure! 1 cabbage made 2 giant jars! I admit I am a little addicted which I assume is my body telling me it's good for me! Math hack is 500 grams of cabbage needs 10grams of salt. I did 11 just in case!

08/16/2026

A Connecticut Heirloom! Dark Purple Basil. This strain comes from a family who first started growing it in 1953, 1 year after the seed was available! Genetics makes a huge difference and of all the purple basil, this one is by far the best looking this late into the season. In a few weeks, we will be harvesting seed.

08/15/2026

Is your lawn too clean? 🚜✨ Firefly Fact Friday

We all love the look of a tidy yard, but for our glowing friends, a perfectly manicured lawn is actually a desert. If the grass is too short and the chemicals are too strong, fireflies simply can't survive.

But don’t worry—you don’t have to let your yard turn into a jungle to help! You can make a massive difference with just two simple shifts:

1️⃣ Raise the Blade: Next time you mow, set your blade to at least 3.5 or 4 inches. 📈 Fireflies aren't just in the air; they spend their days resting on tall blades of grass to stay cool and hydrated. Giving them that extra inch of height is like giving them a luxury hotel stay!

2️⃣ Skip the Sprays: Pesticides and chemical fertilizers don't just target "pests"—they are also toxic to firefly larvae (the "glow-worms") living in your soil. Choosing organic or chemical-free options keeps the "good guys" safe. 🐛✅

Pro-Tip for the Tidy Gardener: 💡
Not ready to let the whole lawn grow? Try a "No-Mow Strip" along your back fence or around the base of your trees. It creates a "Firefly Sanctuary" while keeping the rest of your yard looking sharp.

Our Firefly Conservation Kit is designed to help you navigate these small changes for a big impact. Let’s bring the magic back to our neighborhoods!

How high do you keep your grass? Tell us in the comments! 👇

08/14/2026

A little evening picture of Nickell Pole Bean

08/11/2026

A wild part of our garden! Planting with a purpose - see why in our video

08/10/2026

Cowpeas or Asparagus Beans anyone! We love find new cowpea options and have quite a few growing.

08/10/2026

Corn and sunflowers are a great combo! We had to drop off 200 chickens today and enjoyed seeing this display.