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Company Profile
Pinetree Garden Seeds
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, Maine 04260 (United States)
Phone: (207) 926-3400 Fax: 1-888-527-3337
Catalog Order Page: Hyperlink Paper Catalog Cost: Free
Dione129 EAST FREETOWN, MA (4 reviews) April 22, 2012
My order arrived very quickly after ordering it and I appreciated the auto-email confirmation, since not all places that I've ordered from do that, even though it's pretty simple.
I only ordered some seeds and a sprouting cover, but I plan to order more in the future!
Posted on March 27, 2011, updated March 9, 2012
Placed my order on March 13 and my package got here the 26th - the only message I got was an automated e-mail that my order was received. The prices are very good & the amount of seeds are good for the prices. I liked the variety of seeds they have to offer. I just wish there was a little better communication as to when they have shipped, so that I'm not contemplating if I should contact them or not.
Will post more if there's anything special to note about germination rates and what not. On March 8th, 2012, judyinmound changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
All in all the germination rates were very high. Was very happy with the turnout. =)
Posted on February 17, 2012, updated February 27, 2012
I ordered seeds Jan 29th. Pinetree 'said' they shipped my order Jan 31. Today is Feb. 17 and still no seeds. I have to reorder from another company while my greenhouse sits idle. On February 27th, 2012, melee50 changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
Replacement seeds arrived today with a $5 coupon. Many thanks!
Positive
LCROCKERC Florence, MT (4 reviews) February 19, 2012
I ordered seeds this year and as usual they arrived in a very timely manner, I like this company because you can order smaller amounts of seeds. I have ordered from them in the past with no problems and will certainly be ordering again in the future.
Positive
BOO_DOTTIE Defiance, OH (1 review) February 17, 2012
Just got my seeds today. Everything was there that I ordered and on time! So far everything is ok, just have to see how they turn out.
Positive
ShootingStarVT Middlebury, VT (1 review) February 15, 2012
I have been ordering from Pinetree Garden Seeds for at least 13 years, 10 of which were as a professional cut flower grower.
I cannot say enough good things about this company; they are one of three seed houses I order from every year. As a professional and as a "home gardener" I have come to rely on them for quality seed, great selection and pricing, and fantastic customer service.
Pinetree offers a huge selection of vegetable, herb and flower seed as well as a variety of bulbs, tubers, and plants. Over the years I have gotten a little of everything from them and have only had germination issues with 2 or 3 items. I contacted the company and the problem was rectified promptly and professionally. By the way, calling the company is a real treat as you are not connected with some "operator" sitting in a cubicle somewhere as with some other larger seed houses, but an actual employee of their farm. I like the personal feel of that.
Another benefit to me is that because they are located in Maine and actually test grow everything in their catalog, I can be assured that their offerings will be well suited to my Vermont growing season.
Pinetree's prices are virtually unbeatable. This, paired with their smaller sized packets, makes it possible to try a lot of different varieties without breaking the bank. I always feel like I can treat myself to something I might not "need" or get a little experimental without the risk of having wasted a lot of money. One year I grew cotton. In Vermont! Visitors to my garden were aghast and I will never forget harvesting my very own little puffs of organically grown fluffy goodness.
Their selection of heirloom and open-pollinated veggies and flowers is fantastic. Additionally, their catalog has separate sections for ethnic varieties organized by geographical region. Also broken out are sections for container gardening, everlasting flowers and dye plants. Very unique!
One caveat I have is with their website. So far I have not been able to save a shopping cart for more than a half an hour or so. The first time I realized this I had entered a huge order only to return later to find it gone. Ugh! I am one who likes to peruse and mull over my order for anywhere from a few days to week or two. With Pinetree I have to do this on paper and then enter my order only when I am ready to make my purchase. My husband is a web programmer and claims that this would be really easy for them to fix. I would be stoked if they did!
In response to the negative comments regarding long shipping times; in my experience it is generally good practice to order seeds early in the year (this means no later than early February for me). This way I avoid ordering during the "busy season" which may delay shipment and lead to timing issues when starting transplants. This is also a good way to avoid back orders or out-of-stock items. In Pinetree's defense, order backlogs are addressed in both their printed catalog and on the Policies page of their website (offering expedited processing is actually a really nice service as I know of other companies which do not):
"Our goal is to ship all orders within a couple of days of receipt. However, from February to May, a backlog of 2-3 weeks can develop. We will try to avoid this, but the more advance planning you can do - the happier you will be. Special Handling is available for an extra $4.50, these order will ship out the next business day."
Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone from novice to professional.
Positive
Terry Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) (116 reviews) February 10, 2012
Posted on February 20, 2002, updated February 10, 2012
Their website is a little tricky to use, but my order was processed very promptly, and shipped quickly. Seeds germinated nicely, and as many others have commented, they provide a good-size packet of seeds for the home gardener who wants to experiment with several varieties. Will definitely order from them again.On February 10th, 2012, Terry added the following:
New order this year, placed late last week, arrived in just a few days. A great treat on a cold day to open this packet stuffed with a rainbow of colored seed packets. Can't wait to get them started. Thanks Pinetree!
I ordered 52 packets of seeds on January 12, 2012 and received all of them five days later, no errors. I started some of my cabbage seeds indoors already and am very pleased with the germination rate. If the rest of my seed does this well, I will definately be ordering from Pinetree again next year.
Easy ordering, prompt delivery, no missing inventory + GREAT prices. So far, I am very pleased.
Positive
EloiseH South Hero, VT (Zone 5a) (3 reviews) January 22, 2012
Posted on February 11, 2005, updated January 22, 2012
Placed large order for vegetable and herb seeds, which arrived within a week. Great selection of varieties (did not have to shop in three or four different places to get everything I wanted), clearly described, delivered promptly, terrific pricing. Packets are the right size for a family garden (with many providers, you have left-over seeds which will generally not have as good germination the next year). And, best of all, good basic cultural directions included on each packet. This is my first time dealing with Pinetree but will certainly not be my last. (By the way, it was particularly cheerful getting this lovely selection of seeds as we were in the midst of the Nor'easter!)On January 22nd, 2012, EloiseH added the following:
Pinetree really never disappoints. Placed our order for our vegetable garden last sunday and it arrived via priority mail on Thursday. Have always enjoyed good germination, both for those seeds that need to be started indoor and for those placed directly in the garden. Their seed mixes (lettuce, peppers, broccoli, etc.) are great when you can't make up your mind on varieties. I highly recommend this company!
Neutral
oakley240 Hazlehurst, GA (Zone 8a) (1 review) January 7, 2012
About 3 years ago I received Pinetree Garden Seed's Spring Catalog and ordered from the company because of the extremely low prices on a lot of their items. It took me 6 and a half weeks to receive my order and by that time most of the seeds I had ordered was well past time to start. The few seeds that I had bought that could still be started had terrible germination rates. I told myself I would never deal with them again. This year though I stumbled upon some reviews by other members of Dave's Garden and decided I would try again so I went to their site and ordered my seeds on the 28th of December and received my seeds the 6th of January; I was very pleased and decided they just must have had a bad year the first time I ordered from them, but when I opened my pack and looked at all of the seed packets I discovered that 2 seed packets was missing. I immediately called the company and told them the problem. I was told sorry and that the two packets would be mailed the next day. Personally I think I should have received a complementary pack of seeds for my trouble or either credit on my next purchase. I think I might give pinetree another chance next year but I'll need to see how the germination rates are on the seeds that actually come in.
Positive
kbjanet2003 mid-Michigan, MI (2 reviews) December 22, 2011
Fabulous service as always. I have ordered from Pinetree (using the internet) off and on for years, for my job. This year I ordered on December 19th and received my seed order on the 22nd via US Priority Mail. I almost always order in December and it always works this way, year after year. Thanks!
Positive
paradacrades Hilliard, FL (Zone 8b) (4 reviews) November 14, 2011
Posted on November 14, 2011
I have ordered from Pinetree for about 2 or 3 years now. I have been pleased with their products, and very happy with their prices. Germination rates are good. I ordered over the phone, and am very happy with the representatives I have spoken with--very nice and helpful. So, I would reccomend them, and plan to order from them in the future.
Positive
AreaWoman Athens-Clarke, GA (Zone 7b) (1 review) July 8, 2011
This is the first time I've used this company. I actually found it through this website. I am a novice plant-grower (I hesitate to say 'gardener' as what I have can hardly be called a garden, and I definitely don't put the kind of time into it that most others do! Haha!), and like that I can get smaller quantities here. I don't need 50 tomato seeds, you know? As of yet I can't comment on germination or plant success, but one common thing I saw mentioned was that it took a few weeks to get orders. I ordered on the evening of 7/3 (a Sunday), with Monday being a holiday. I received my order in the mail on Thursday 7/7. Super-fast! I was very surprised, and I'm looking forward to getting something started this weekend! I will definitely use Pinetree again.
Neutral
veggie93 Au Sable Forks, NY (3 reviews) June 17, 2011
Posted on June 15, 2011, updated June 17, 2011
This has been my favorite company for many years - not anymore. The quality is really POOR. Specifically "their" potatoes. Last time the regular potatoes were all mangled when I received them - this year it looks as though there is evidence of late blight. When the sweet potatoes came - they looked positively pathetic! They came from Tennessee, and for the price of $19.99 for 12 ( I know who the fool is :( 10 have survived, but are far from flourishing.
I've decided to take my business elsewhere.On June 17th, 2011, veggie93 changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
Today I received a gift certificate in the mail for $25 to compensate for the potatoes. Obviously, this site is well-monitored by Pinetree. I really was shocked! as I did NOT notify the company of my displeasure with the products.
My face is RED, knowing that I should have contacted them to allow them to make it right first, before posting my comments here.
SO, this is to thank them publicly, and to say that I will give them another try.
Thanks Pinetree.
Positive
blumenlieber vancouver, WA (Zone 8a) (10 reviews) June 15, 2011
Posted on March 4, 2010, updated June 15, 2011
Posted on December 23, 2004, updated March 4, 2010
Ordered seeds for 2005 and received them today, one week later. Love the colorful catalogue, useful descriptions and commitment to the customer to provide a varied selection. If I want large seed packets I may not use in one season, I know where to go--and now I know where to go to find quality seed in smaller amounts, too. Great job!On January 11th, 2007, blumenlieber added the following:
once again for me, pinetree has proven to be exceptional when it comes to offering a wide selection at a low price for the home grower. On January 15th, 2008, blumenlieber added the following:
kudos again--seeds delivered in timely manner for 2008. Pintree's catalogue is always the first to arrive, I look forward to it each year. The seeds are a bargain, and every pack has had good to excellent germination, even the unusual but inexpensive varieties I like to try out. With last year's order came a note about one seed type on back order...two months later (long after I forgot about it but still within planting time) came an envelope with the seeds. I know the mailing charge alone cost more than the seed pack. That is what customer service is all about. Thank you again, Pinetree.On March 23rd, 2009, blumenlieber added the following:
again, great service and value for the money. I ordered my seeds EARLY and got them within a week. 2 items back ordered and i got them last week. I will be back again and again. thank you, Pinetree!On March 4th, 2010, blumenlieber added the following:
Again, Pinetree has proven they care about customer service. Seeds received days after ordered (and i live on the "other" coast). Three backordered items received as promised, well before they need sowing. Pinetree, you have a customer for life.On June 15th, 2011, blumenlieber added the following:
Once again, Pinetree has proven to be a fantastic source for a great variety of seed at an affordable cost. I ordered over $100 of seeds for 2011, and am completely satisfied with the quality. Germination was great, and this was especially so with the tomato varieties i planted for the first time (Soldacki, Druzba, Manyel and others). They all look incredible, even my family/friends have commented on how good they look (I will take some credit, but you have to start with good seed stock). I have been growing tomatoes from seed for years, and appreciate the opportunity the low cost allows me to try new types without paying an enourmous sum. Thank you, Pinetree.
Positive
bim141 Sault Sainte Marie, MI (1 review) May 22, 2011
Pinetree Garden Seeds corrected a shipping errors within a
day of my notification to this company. They are a wonderful
company. With their smaller sized seed packs that sell at low
prices, a person can try out and compare various kinds of vegetables to discover the best kind for that particular area.
I've ordered from Pinetree Garden Seeds for over a decade. This is the first time there ever was any type of miscommunication. Pinetree Garden Seeds will get my future business, too.
Neutral
aileen246 Priest River, ID (19 reviews) May 22, 2011
Late in 2010 I ordered ten different flower seeds. This was shortly after I received their catalog. Some of the seeds I used for winter sowing and perhaps being new to winter sowing, the results were mixed, some germinated, some didn't. But even when I resowed the seeds, the germination was poor. Several of the packets held a skimpy amount of seed. The hibiscus seeds, all five, produced one weak seedling that died. The laurentia, Blue Star, did very well, and some seeds did germinate when I resowed them later. But I won't order from Pinetree again. Even though their prices are moderate as well as the shipping, I want seeds that I know will germinate.
Positive
Reversemidas Vienna, VA (Zone 7a) (7 reviews) April 9, 2011
Posted on March 27, 2010, updated April 9, 2011
Posted on July 9, 2003, updated March 27, 2010
Did my first order with Pinetree for books after seeing the rave reviews for Pinetree. Just to test the waters. Though I didn't get an email confirmation of the order, the books came promptly. Customer service was very helpful when I asked about status of shipment. Will definitely order again for their other products as well.On February 10th, 2004, Reversemidas added the following:
Just order seeds from Pinetree this time, got them in the mail very fast. Getting ready to start seedlings with them. Again great prices and fast service. I'm confident that the seed germination will be just as well.On September 20th, 2005, Reversemidas added the following:
I've continue to have good success with Pinetree garden seeds and sale book items. Order seeds several more times and each packet had very good germination rate. Will continue to order from them.On April 19th, 2008, Reversemidas added the following:
I continue to have success with Pinetree Garden. I ordered more seeds, etc and they came promptly. Will continue to order from them again. On March 27th, 2010, Reversemidas added the following:
I have been ordering from Pinetree Gardens for some time now and never had any problems with their shipping what I ordered. Yes I notice that in the past two years they had trouble turning around orders for other folks but I've learned to order from them prior to the rush period. Hopefully they will figure out how to staff up when they spike in orders to fulfilll. Other than that I continue to enjoy the small quantity of seeds I can order and try out, and have had good germination rate as well. On April 9th, 2011, Reversemidas added the following:
Put in another order and received it within the week. I was delighted at how fast I received my order. Sure it was a small order combination of gardening supplies and seeds, but it was fast processed and received. I always like the quantity of seeds and germination has always been good. I even have some seeds back in 2008 packets that sprouted. So I am a repeat customer again.
Positive
RabbitSoup Fort Wayne, IN (3 reviews) April 9, 2011
They're not the fastest shipper around, but their seed is reasonably priced (often downright inexpensive) and I've found their germination rate to be good. I received a confirmation email immediately upon placing the order, and received seed within 2 - 3 weeks. Great choice if you're on a budget.
First order with Pinetree, was concerned when seeds came in packages with no instructions, I have been starting seeds in my greenhouse for many years, had never seen seed packages with no information to speak of. Germination has been very poor, maybe 40%, very disappointing considering I enjoy mass plantings of annuals such as Asters (powder puffs) germination in that case has been 0% I have not contacted company yet, but am not sure that I want replacements, as I have gone up to my local nursery and bought replacement seeds and started them already. Just wanted to put in my 2 seeds.
Happy Growing
Positive
Kestrel_3 Finlayson, MN (4 reviews) March 17, 2011
This is the first year I've ordered from Pinetree Seeds. They are a little bit slower than the other companies I have ordered from because it took almost 3 weeks to receive my order---but their prices are awesome. I will order from them again as long as these seeds germinate well.
I have ordered from Pine Tree for a number of years. Sometimes if the order is late they can be alittle slow. This has been stated in the catalogue though I think they have made an effort to improve.
Generally I have had no problems with the seeds growing and the amount in the packets is usually more than stated in the catalogue. Studies have shown that most people buy way mopre seed than they ever could use.
Several years ago, it had been several weeks and my order had not arrived. I was quite patient and I don't beleve it was late in the season. I finally called to see if they had been shipped. The staff was friendly and informed me of the ship date(several weeks earlier) and stated they would check to see what they could find out. I also looked around. I found my seeds still in their package in the neibors yard. They had been buried in the snow after blowing off my mailbox. Upon opening they looked fine and grew fine that season. I called Pine Tree to report that I had found my package. They offered to replace the seeds without even being asked and when the issue was clearly not their fault. I placed my order today. Thanks Pine Tree.
Positive
Dempsey Big Lake, MN (10 reviews) February 20, 2011
I continue to order from PT year after year. They are a lot like Fedco being a small company with their own way of doing things and not so great customer service to rely on. But when you know that ahead of time, both companies are ok.
Believe me that PT's prices are exceptional. I am little miss calculator all winter and some things PT have that stand out are their baby green mix (way cheaper than elsewhere) and their mix packets like broccoli, cauliflower and summer squash. I also like their Point One cauliflower. Another wonderful item is Big N alfalfa; Johnny's charges way more for it.
Another thing I like is that they don't figure shipping by weight but total cost. So you can order things like seed starting mix without paying per lb.
Awesome company. Been ordering for a decade from them, never any problems. My order this year was placed online at night last Monday, and received the package on Thursday of the same week (ME to CA!). I appreciate that they have kept their prices down, while everyone else's prices have become ridiculous. I used to mainly order from Territorial, a fine company for northern growers, but they've priced themselves out of my garden. For most items, I use Pinetree now. As for all the internet order screw-up complainers out there - grow up and read the directions! They plainly state that the order is only held for 30 minutes in their system. I used excel to make a list before I used my dial-up connection - no problems! As for germination - I think this is a personal problem. I use a heating pad, the best organic potting soil, and proper sanitation and never have a problem - no matter what company the seeds come from. Thank you Pinetree - I can afford to garden because of your company!!!!
Positive
treesmoocher Spencer, WV (7 reviews) February 7, 2011
Posted on February 16, 2010, updated February 7, 2011
I ordered seeds and plant material, for at least the third time, and although the potatoes, shallots and gladioli have not yet come--it isn't spring yet--the seeds as usual arrived with no mistakes or problems. Some complain that the packets are pretty chintzy--but that's the whole point of Pinetree, providing small quantitites of seeds for a low price. Often I don't need very many plants, so I'd rather just get a small quantity for $1.35 (typical price). Last year I got nearly my whole garden from this company and only had one germination failure, cinnamon basil--could've made them replace it, I suppose, but it isn't worth the trouble. I especially like Pinetree's lettuce and hot pepper mixes, and this year I'm trying the radish mixture.On February 7th, 2011, treesmoocher added the following:
Ordered again this year. (Last year i received a packet of cinnamon basil seeds in the mail after making that comment--ended up being glad of that as I really like that variety. ordered again this year, got my seeds in 2 or 3 weeks--at this point I expect it to take that long with this company, and not to receive any kind of order confirmation. As before, no errors, although the parsnips are backordered. The remarks about germination are alarming, but i don't recall having problems last year. Too soon to tell this year, I am jusrt about to start the earliest items, none of which came from Pinetree.
Negative
taufgardner American Fork, UT (20 reviews) January 27, 2011
Posted on March 23, 2004, updated January 27, 2011
The order came more slowly than I had hoped (about 3-4 weeks, compared with less than 10 days for four other companies, including two with marginal ratings on Garden Watchdog). The one item I was particularly interested in, the Opalka Tomato (#414) was substituted, with an explanation that events of last fall ruined the crop, even though the item is still featured in the on-line catalog. I would have ordered it elsewhere, had I known. Now it's too late. It's my first experience with Pinetree. Given the overwhelming positive experiences noted by others, I will probably give Pinetree the benefit of the doubt and try them again next year, but not ready to fully switch to them.On April 18th, 2004, taufgardner changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following:
Not only did my order come late, but the germination was deplorable (less than 50% for the tomato and worse for the jicama). Additionally, the plants that did sprout have extremely poor vigor. They look sick. I'd chalk it up to poor technique on my part except that I have started seeds since the Nixon administration and had MUCH better results this year with similar varieties from other companies' seeds planted at the same time, in the same medium and under the same conditions. I'm disappointed to the level that I am looking at other suppliers to replace seeds I have not already planted, so I don't find out the hard way that they do not thrive, either.On May 18th, 2004, taufgardner added the following:
Two months later, I have only two plants to show for all the starting I attempted. That compares with nearly 100% success with Gurney and Burpee seeds. My kids call the tomato plant a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" sort of plant, and we're nursing it carefully, as it is a harder to find variety. I didn't even bother planting the cucumber (Diva) because I could get seeds from a local, reliable supplier and start over. I will NEVER order from Pinetree again and am amazed that they have such a positive rating on Garden Watchdog (though I notice their halo has slipped some this year). On January 27th, 2011, taufgardner added the following:
The two most recent postings echo my experiences from before. This company was a "Watchdog Top 30" company when I ordered in 2004, a reason I chose them. In the years before and since, I have only had such poor results twice, one from some 20 year old bean seeds that were found on a back shelf in the family construction business and the other time with Reimer. Other than that, I can get seeds to start and can expect reasonable germination rates, even from companies that are well known, but have iffy ratings. The shipping was also longer than I have ever experienced with anyone. And I have to agree that the company response left a lot to be desired. The lack of clarity and accuracy in the message is indicative of the service I experienced.
Negative
TheFluffyOne Aurora, IL (6 reviews) January 26, 2011
Posted on December 4, 2010, updated January 26, 2011
Posted on August 6, 2010, updated December 4, 2010
Posted on April 23, 2010, updated August 6, 2010
Posted on February 21, 2010, updated April 23, 2010
Posted on February 2, 2010, updated February 20, 2010
Posted on March 23, 2009, updated February 2, 2010
The website is buggy as all heck. During the ordering process, I would order items, browse for a while, comeback and find out my cart was now empty. This was very, very frustrating.
After finally completing my order I discovered that there really was not way to contact anyone at the firm as the phone was always busy. After waiting 20 days without receiving a shipping notification I faxed in a cancel order as the phone was busy, e-mails were not responded to. I assume they are simply going through growing pains in a busy season. However I have certain expectations. One is that I know if my order will be filled, and two that I know when my items will be shipped and an anticipated ship date.
We all know certain plants need to be started indoors in certain climates, in particular Tomatoes, Peppers, and Alpine strawberries from seed. When you cannot get a confirmation that the order will be filled nor a shipping date you have to make a cut date to go to the local store and buy your seeds.
I'll try PineTree again next year and order very, very early. Once again I suspect the problem is simply a growth related issue. But currently, I would certainly not use them for an order after February if timeliness is important. On February 3rd, 2010, TheFluffyOne changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Okay as stated last year, I gave PineTree another try. Placed my order on 01/23 and the seeds arrived on 02/01. Disappointed there were no "shipped" notifications or a way to tell if the order was fulfilled but I can't complain with the end result : great service. I have obviously not tried out the seeds or even inspected the packaging much, all I can say so far is the seed packets are unusual. Very strange looking. On February 21st, 2010, TheFluffyOne added the following:
Okay now I have had time to look at my order. I really like the fact they print how many plants to the squarefoot on the packages, I wish all companies did this. But I have to wonder, given the simplicity of their packages why the don't simply use smaller packages. Oh well...great service, good overall prices.On April 23rd, 2010, TheFluffyOne changed the rating from positive to negative and added the following:
Well. now that I have had time to use the seeds purchased I'll make this observation - from my viewpoint the germination rate is not acceptable. Additionally the quantity of some of the seeds is very low, not normally a concern, but given the poor germination rate, I was a little surprised at the variance in the packages.
I am a seed conservator and buy a pack of seeds and keep them refrigerated for years. So I tend to expect a bit of decline. But I expect a good germination rate in the first year and these seeds are disappointing me. The germination rate from these Pinetree seeds make me think I will have to purchase seeds far more often than I wish and they really are not suitable for my purpose. I generally receive far better germination rates from any of the off the rack seed sources, of course the reason for mail order is to get the varieties you want.
For example I bought 6 varieties of lettuce and the germination rate is around 60%, which is about the same as my 4 year old lettuce seeds from my refrigerator. The 5 varieties of tomatoes germination rate was about 70%, which is lower than my 3 year old seeds. And I tried out 2 types of peppers and could not get single seed to germinate, but my 3 year old California Wonder peppers had no problems.
So in the end, great service, good prices, meager quantities, and a relatively low to poor germination rate.
At this point I don't know if I'll be ordering again and rather doubt it.
(in case anyone wonders how I keep seeds for so long, they are only out of the refrigerator for moments when I plant. I literally grab the bag I need and put all the others back under refrigeration, and then I try and get the seeds back under refrigeration in under 2 minutes. I think too many people take their seeds out, let them warm up too much and then put them back.) On August 6th, 2010, TheFluffyOne added the following:
Well I have now started my fall crops so I have now attempted to use all the seeds I ordered. I remain beyond disappointed. the germination rate was between dismal to almost non-existent. I am truly disappointed and have never had a worse grouping of seeds. Not much more needs to be said here. I will be taking my business elsewhere.
On December 4th, 2010, TheFluffyOne added the following:
Add to Pinetree's list of transgressions mislabeled varieties. I made a sorry mistake. I was anxiously awaiting what as suppose to be my Big Red peppers to ripen, but they never sized up. Finally as they became a deep red I pulled them. Noting they were not stuffer sized but a little larger than golf balls. Unfortunately I made a mistake of sampling by cutting it with a knife and popping it into my mouth. Mother of gosh it was hot, so very hot. Mislabeled.
And the Kellogg's Breakfast tomato I ordered turned out ot be an old standby, the much meeker Golden Ponderosa despite the labeling on the package. I would know Golden Ponderosa anywhere.
So in the end, small quantities or mislabeled seeds with poor germination rates. On January 26th, 2011, TheFluffyOne added the following:
After reading "bevgar" excellent observations and analysis regarding germination and what PineTree should do verses what they indicate they actually do, what I experienced makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the insight Bevgar.
Positive
gwelymernans Shelocta, PA (Zone 6a) (1 review) January 24, 2011
mailed order on jan 15th
check was cashed on jan 20th
seeds arrived jan 22nd (mildly impressive for maine to pa)
not sure what all the complaining about shipping times is about, but i do order seeds fairly early and perhaps they were understaffed in previous yrs during peak ordering periods. my shipment was quite prompt, though.
they were out of 'black egg' eggplant seeds, and sent an insert along w/ my seeds and the book i ordered stating they would send me them when they have stock.
chose to give a positive rating since the shipping time was so fast, however it will obviously be a little while before i can testify as to the germination rates. all packets had the minimum amount of seeds guaranteed.
Positive
jessewoodson2 Stroudsburg, PA (Zone 5b) (5 reviews) January 19, 2011
To address the shipping concerns-I placed my order last Sat. evening and received my seeds today (Wed). Considering that Mon. was a mail holiday-I'm impressed! Two working days, WOW! It IS mid Jan and I guess it's still early, but so far so good. I can't speak about the germ rate because I've only had the seeds about 3 hours (I'm such a slacker!) but I've never had a problem in the past. I'll update later if there is anything more to report.
Positive
Buddy44 Eagle Rock, VA (22 reviews) January 15, 2011
Posted on February 25, 2010, updated January 15, 2011
Posted on June 8, 2007, updated February 24, 2010
I have been a coutomer for at least 10 years. They have a good selection at a very good price. I have never had any trouble with germination unless I did something wrong. Will continue to be a faithful customer.On March 19th, 2008, Buddy44 added the following:
Great selection and prices. Quick to ship your order.On April 20th, 2009, Buddy44 added the following:
I don't understand the negative comments. I made two orders this year, one large and one small. Both arrived in a timely manner with no problems. I will continue to give them my custom.On February 25th, 2010, Buddy44 added the following:
This year's order came within 3 weeks. Everything was shipped. Another great experience!On January 15th, 2011, Buddy44 added the following:
Ordered online on January 11, 2011 and had my seeds on January 14, 2011. Fastest turnaround I have had. The seeds always germinate well for me, either in my greenhouse or directly sown.
Neutral
flowers4birds Chilton, WI (7 reviews) January 11, 2011
Posted on December 24, 2009, updated January 11, 2011
I have ordered from Pinetree Garden Seeds for many years and have always been pleased by their prices, hardy varieties for my northern garden, ability to buy small amounts of seeds for my small garden, and their timely delivery. Last year however, they were very slow. I ordered some seeds that need to be planted inside in mid-winter to be ready for transplant in early spring. The order did not come when I needed it. After a couple of months had passed, I wrote to them and to their credit, my order arrived immediately, but it was already too late to plant some of the seeds, and they did not do well in the garden, as we have a short growing season.
I will order from them again, because after years of good service, they deserve another chance. I ordered very early last year, and that didn't expedite my order as I had hoped. I hope they will do better this year.On January 11th, 2011, flowers4birds added the following:
I ordered from them again in early 2010. I got all my seeds in time to plant, but several types didn't germinate at all. By the time I found out, it was too late to ask for replacemnts. Our growing season is too short here in Zone 5a. Two other varieties were NOT what I had ordered. My Hero Marigolds were nothing like the Hero Marigolds I'd grown the year before. They were nice, but not the same kind. Which kind is the real Hero Marigold? I do not know. I also don't know what the Hero Mix I bought the year before was supposed to be like, because only one seed germinateed. The Cactus Zinnias I had enjoyed so much in 2009 were NOT Cactus Zinnias in 2010. They were a mixture of very ordinary single and double types that bloomed nicely but were not especially pretty and there were no Cactus types among them. I am not a fan of single zinnias. So this winter I am not ordering anything from Pinetree and probably never will again. There seems to be no quality control there. I do reccomend their book department though. I've gotten some wonderful books from them in the past.
Positive
ricebeagle Sunbury, OH (7 reviews) January 10, 2011
I ordered my 2011 seeds from Pinetree on 1/03/11, and received them in the mail 1/07/11. I ordered 45 different seed packets, plus a book, for a grand total of $82. 44 of the 45 seed packets were correct. The one mistake: they sent me a winter squash mix instead of plum radish. Ironically, I had the squash mix in my shopping cart, waffled on it, and finally removed it right before check out. And then it shows up anyhow. I'm just taking it as some karmic sign :0)
I've been ordering from Pinetree for years, and have always been happy with the prices and germination rates. As a result, they are my primary mail order seed company.
I'll post updates when I get my seeds in the ground.
Neutral
suzy_qu3 East Chatham, NY (7 reviews) January 5, 2011
Posted on January 1, 2011, updated January 5, 2011
Posted on October 5, 2004, updated January 1, 2011
I ordered pumpkin and gourd seeds for our 4H club. The seeds arrived promptly and I got more per packet than I expected. They sprouted well and the kids got a very good crop. The gourds were especially cute and colorful.On January 1st, 2011, suzy_qu3 changed the rating from positive to negative and added the following:
Spring of 2009 was apparently very busy for them as it took forever to get my seeds. I called and they were very friendly. I did get my seeds in time - no damage done.
This past year 2010 is a deal breaker. I had come to suspect that there were germination issues, but always passed it off as my poor soil or technique or better yet - blame it on the kids. IN 2010 I got NOT ONE stinking pumpkin or gourd to grow. One cucumber vine sprouted and this is the second year in a row. In the past, with Pinetree seeds, I have grown more cukes than I know what to do with, Tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse were OK, but I think by now I should get better results that what I got. The cabbage tribe did fine, flowers, not so much. Greens are always good. Any time I get a "mix" of something, it's not much a mix as it's mostly one variety, with one or two others in there somewhere. Other products I received promptly and in good condition.
I may come back to this company, but this year I'm going to try something else after 5 or 6 years spending $75 - $100 with Pinetree.On January 5th, 2011, suzy_qu3 changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
I upgraded my rating for now because of the nice little surprise I found in my mailbox. Pinetree sent me 5 new seed packets to replace the ones I complained about in my previous comment. It had a nice personal note included from the owner. I have to give them credit. To be perfectly honest, they have always been good to me and I have enjoyed their products in the past. I just can't ignore some possible germination issues.
I will try some seeds from different suppliers this year and see if I notice a difference. Also, I will give these free seeds a chance and see what happens. If I have better luck, I will upgrade my rating.
Positive
greenbrain Madison, IL (Zone 6b) (9 reviews) November 12, 2010
I've ordered seeds from this company for the past few years. Always a positive experience. Some OP veggies, I've saved seeds & have been re-planting for 3 years or more. Order always received timely & accurately with no back orders.
I have ordered from Pinetree many times, and have always been happy with their products. They have great descriptions of their seed varieties, and their prices can't be beat. They also have a lot of nice hard-to-find gardening products. And, I like that they are in a cool climate (Maine), because I am, too (MIchigan.)
In 2009, Pinetree was overwhelmed with orders from new gardeners. (Lots of people tried to grow their own food in 2009, due to the poor economy, and many of them probably ordered from Pinetree due to their great prices.) The negatives here for Pinetree seem mostly to be due to slow shipping in 2009. I always pay for the 24-hour express order fulfillment, and get my orders very promptly, including in 2009. Because Pinetree's prices are so low, I still get excellent value for my money, even with the extra charge for express order fulfillment.
(I will make one small complaint. They are now selling seeds for smoking and chewing tobacco. This is their right, but I wish their catalog wouldn't imply that 'naturally grown' tobacco is somehow healthier. Tobacco is toxic no matter how you grow it!)
Posted on April 29, 2009, updated April 6, 2010
Placed two orders, late in the season and despite the warning message on their homepage (and before seeing the issues here)
Order 1: 03/23/09
Order 2: 04/03/09
Have not received either. My rating is neutral because I've been a customer of Pinetree Garden Seeds since high school (18 years ago!). I haven't ordered in a few years, and this is the first time I've had such a negative experience. I'm hoping to receive my seeds soon.
They should make an effort to respond to their customer's concerns, either posting here or updating messaging on their site daily. I understand that creating an online order status system is time-consuming and possibly expensive. Even if they manually updated the homepage message to show status, maybe saying: 'We've filled xx of yy orders this season' or 'Shipping Delays: zzz backorders' it would give me a sense that they are making progress and understand the daily inconvenience their backlog is causing.On April 6th, 2010, tlong changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
Learn from my experience: order early. I placed my order right around New Year's and received everything within a week. They also honored the coupon they gave me for last year's delayed shipment.
I placed an order on the Web March 16th. I received no email confirmation - and no warning about how long my order could take. I called to find out about my order March 27th - and was told that the seeds should be shipped out by the END of this week. That means over two weeks before they even go out. I was also told curtly that this information was clearly presented on the website. The information is presented under policies (I just checked) -- which talks of backlogs during peak times of two to three weeks. But who reads policies when you are ordering!!! I should have paid extra for immediate handling. I could end up waiting 4 weeks for seeds at the start of growing season!!!! AGGGH. I am spoiled by Territorial Seed where I would have had the seeds in a week.
Negative
bg2000sap Saint Charles, MO (1 review) March 23, 2010
I originally placed my order on March 3rd. Last week, on March 17, I placed an email asking about the status of my seeds. They responded the next day that my seed had been mailed the 17th. Today, it is March 23rd. I have not received my seeds. I decided to call because there is no way it should take 6 days even counting the weekend for me to receive my seeds. When I got through, I was told they had been mail the 19th. At this time, I won't believe they actually sent my seeds till I receive them.
Anywho, I extremely frustrated. I'll probably stick to the larger seed companies from here on out. The lady on the phone said she would send me something, but whatever. I just want my seeds. Whatever she sends me will arrive a month later ? Funny part was I received a seed catalog from them yesterday.
Looking at 3 + weeks to receive my seeds is just too long, but the kicker to me is just lying to me about the date they sent the seeds out.
Neutral
imafactotumtoo Saint Joseph, MI (Zone 6b) (1 review) March 16, 2010
Placed an e-mail order the 2nd of March. Today is the16th and still no seeds?
Decided to call (a non toll free number) to see what happened. Was told that they have not even started filling my order yet but I could expect them to get to it in a day or two. ARRGHH! I've been ordering seed for nearly 40 years now and never remember a delay quite like this from anyone else. I decided to shop from some smaller seed houses this year to help "spread the wealth". Having some doubts.
Positive
Neutral
Negative