221. Seeds of Connection: The People Behind Pinetree Garden Seeds

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Melissa and Jaci from Pinetree Garden Seeds, a family owned and operated business since 1979. Pinetree Garden Seeds was founded with the simple mission of offering low prices on quality seeds to the home gardener. Over the years offerings have expanded to include over 1300 varieties of seeds, including many heirlooms & organics, a huge assortment of tools and gardening gear, books, and live plants. Located in rural Maine, they operate out of a 300 year old farmhouse and strive to offer the best service and products with a personal touch. In 2011, the company was passed down from its founder, Dick Meiners, to his stepdaughter Melissa. She and her family are excited to continue the mission of supporting the home gardener by offering affordable, high quality seeds and goods. In this conversation we delve into the story of Pinetree Garden Seeds, the complexities of GMO's, heirloom seeds and the practices of the company. Melissa and Jaci share their passion for helping others succeed in gardening, emphasizing the simplicity and joy of growing food that promotes the health of humans and the planet.

🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com !

Topics

• Introduction to Pinetree Garden Seeds
• History of the company
• Seed Selection and Catalog Creation
• Work environment at Pinetree
• Seed Packing technology
• Seed Sourcing
• Gardening Practices and Trials
• Understanding the Safe Seed Pledge
• Understanding the types of seeds: heirloom, hybrid and GMO
• The value of heirloom seeds
• Seed longevity and germination
• The seasonal flow and Pinetree Garden Seeds
• The value of gardening in community and connection

03:20 Meet the Pine Tree Team

04:11 The History and Evolution of Pine Tree Seeds

05:53 Learning the Business of Seeds

08:47 The Art of Seed Catalogs

11:06 Gardening Experiments and Trials

17:49 Understanding Seed Types and Safety

20:31 Understanding GMO vs. Hybrid

22:15 Heirloom Seeds: Stories and Significance

25:00 Seed Longevity and Germination

28:38 A Day at Pine Tree Seeds

31:31 The Concept of Slow Living

34:29 The Good Dirt: Meaning and Metaphor

36:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com !

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Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray