Saving Pumpkin Seeds

About Saving Pumpkin Seeds

Your garden may have produced pumpkins that have desirable attributes like size shape, or color. Or, maybe you used them for baking and the ones you grew had great texture and flavor. Perhaps, you simply want to save money by using your own seeds. As a result, it’s common for gardeners to save pumpkin seeds for planting next year. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. And, most often you can harvest the seeds as you carve your pumpkins into Jack O’ Lanterns a few days before Halloween. This article describes the best conditions for drying, saving, and storing pumpkin seeds.

When you carve your pumpkin, you’re probably thinking of two things. First, you’re thinking about saving pumpkin seeds for planting next year. Second, you’re likely thinking about munching on a few roasted pumpkin seeds fresh out of the oven as you finish carving your Jack O’ Lanterns. This article shows you how to save pumpkin seeds for planting next year. And, here’s How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

How to Save Pumpkin Seeds

Here’s how to harvest and store pumpkin seeds:

First, select healthy plants. Seeds contain the DNA of the parent plants. Consequently, use plants with the “biggest or brightest bloom”, or largest and tastiest fruit”.
Also, consider other favorable plant qualities and traits.
Plants appearing more disease-resistant are excellent candidates.
Next, gather seeds from two or more plants. Multiple sources increase the likelihood of good seedling germination.
Then, make sure the seed is mature. If a seed feels hollow, discard it.
Extract the seeds from the pumpkin.
Wash and rinse the seeds thoroughly using mildly soapy, lukewarm water. Do not use hot water and do not soak them in the water.
Next, drain the seeds in a strainer.
Spread them out on an old screen. This allows air circulation.
Stir them at least once a day for the first few days. And, turn them over as you stir.
Allow them to air dry in a cool, dry area for three weeks, or longer. Do not cut the drying time short, even if they appear “dry”.
Then, examine and sort them, discarding any that appear immature or malformed, small, or damaged.
Store the seeds in a bag, or envelope in a cool dry place. Air-tight jars are not recommended. If they are not thoroughly dried, they will mold and rot.
Finally, mark the packet or envelope with the date and type of seed.
Some people place them in a freezer for a couple of weeks, to replicate nature. And, it is not necessary for pumpkin seeds.

Tip for Saving Pumpkin Seeds

You can use this process for almost all types of seeds that you want to save. But, some seeds are dry when you harvest them. So, you don’t have to take the steps to clean and dry them before packing and putting them away.

Saving and Storing Other Kinds of Seeds

In addition to pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from other members of the Cucurbita family. This includes squash, watermelon, cucumbers, and gourds. Simply follow the same process for drying and saving them as described above. You can save and store them for planting next year. And, you can save them to eat salted and roasted, or in a variety of recipes. Aside from pumpkins, larger squash and zucchini seeds are popular for roasting.