So many folx have been asking if they can save the seeds they scoop out of their pumpkins to sow next season, whichgives ussuch hope for the world!Whether pumpkins or winter squash, there are many things to do with the squash seeds you scoop, and saving seed (ironically!) is not at the top of the list, unless you know about its life history. Here’s a bit more of the story:
Why Home-Saved Pumpkin Seed May Not Grow True to Type
Many varieties are F1 Hybrids, which won’t grow true to type when saved. If you’ve bought yourpumpkin from a grocer, farmer’s market or roadside stand, chances are good it’s an F1 Hybrid. So yes, they’ll grow, though the fruit they produce will most likely look nothing like what you’re expecting.
Even if your variety is open-pollinated and heirloom (like all of Fruition’s pumpkins), know all pumpkins will readily cross with other pumpkins and squash in its species, Cucurbita pepo, up to one mile. So unless you’ve grown the pumpkin and are confident it was isolated up to one mile from other pepos (or you hand-pollinated it), assume the seed has crossed and won’t grow true to type next season. Sigh.
If you’re up for an adventure and aren’t attached to the fruit being recognizable or delectable, save any and all seed! This is one of the ways new varieties are created in the world, which is so exciting as well as essential. Some people (like us!) save such seed intentionally as a means of cultivating greater diversity in the world…
…but if you’re attached to having orange jack o’lanterns and quaint acorn squash separate from your zucchini in seasons to come, you’re much better off sowing seed straight from the packet.
In brief, here are
Two Keys for Saving Pumpkin Seed:
Knowing the genus/species of plants is key for seedkeeping! Most summer and winter squash grown in short seasons belong to one of three species: Curcurbita pepo, C. maxima and C. moschata. Pepo is the most diverse, including everything from zucchini to pumpkins, acorn to spaghetti squash, patty pan and delicata squash. And more!
Varieties sharing a species will cross up to one mile, requiring ‘isolation’ to maintain seed that will grow ‘true to type.’ This isolation can be achieved with distance (check in with your neighbors!) or hand-pollination, which I’ll share more about in another post. Indeed, hand-pollination is one of our favorite way to paint ~
So yes, savoring your squash seeds rather than saving them may be the highest and best use of all the winter squash seeds you scoop this season! They are packed with protein and high-quality oils, plus scores of vitamins and minerals.
Rinse your winter squash seeds thoroughly, removing all pulp possible. And Friends, don’t hesitate to savor your delicata, butternut, hubbard squash and beyond: each one unique, each one delicious!
Optional and AWESOME: For the most crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth seeds, soak them in a salty brine (2 teaspoons of salt per cup water) 12 to 24 hours prior to toasting. It seems superfluous, and sure it requires a touch more planning, but trust us: the results will ensure you never skip this step again! Thanks to our friends at Stony Brook Wholehearted Foods for sharing their delectable brilliance with us.
Set oven to 350 F
Toss each half cup of seeds with one teaspoon of oil
Add salt, pepper and seasonings to taste
Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Roast for ~20 minutes, til seeds are golden and starting to pop, stirring them once or twice to ensure even roasting.
When saving pumpkin seeds, store them so they will be ready to plant for next year. Any seeds, pumpkin or otherwise, will store best if you keep them somewhere cold and dry. One of the best places to store pumpkin seed for planting next year is in your refrigerator.
To store raw, pumpkin seeds, you first need to dry them in the oven or a dehydrator. To do so, transfer the cleaned seeds to a sheet tray and bake them in a 250℉ for one hour until they're crispy. Let them cool completely. Then, transfer the dry pumpkin seeds to an airtight container or storage bag.
Once your pumpkin seeds have completely dried out they will need to be stored in the proper place. Put them in a paper envelope and then store them in a place that is consistently cool, dark and dry. Such as a cabinet, closet, or dresser drawer. The average seed storage life span for pumpkins is 4 years.
The best time to plant pumpkin seeds is from late May to early July to enjoy them in the fall. You can choose store-bought seeds ready for planting or collect the seeds from a pumpkin you just carved—it's a pretty easy task.
Seeds that have been stored in a cool, dry place are generally viable for at least a year past the season for which they were packaged and may be good for up to five years.
Spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer.Place the tray in a cool, dark place for at least one month. This allows the seeds to become completely dry. After a month, sort through the seeds and discard any with mold or mildew.
Sow traditional field pumpkins or jack o'lanterns into garden soil from May 15 to June 15. For an earlier harvest or perhaps a slightly larger pumpkin, you can start seeds indoors up to two weeks before these dates. Miniature pumpkins don't need as long a growing season to reach their full potential.
Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans. In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period.
If planted too closely, the pumpkin plants will compete for water and nutrients. The flowers and young fruits may drop off or shrivel up if the plants don't have enough nourishment.
Plant the seed pointed side down in your planting medium about 3/4”-1” deep. These pumpkin seeds germinate best when the soil is kept at around 85 degrees.
More sun yields more pumpkins and bigger pumpkins. At minimum, plant your pumpkins where they'll receive at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sun each day. The other reason that sun is important is because it helps keep the leaves dry. In the early morning, when sun strikes the leaves, it dries the dew quickly.
Make a planting hole to a depth of about 2.5cm. Sow your pumpkin seeds on their sides to reduce the risk of rotting. And it's a good idea to sow two seeds per hole in case one doesn't germinate.
No, unfortunately.It's too late to plant them in the fall for harvest in the same season, nor do the seeds overwinter well. They are sensitive to cold and could die, either as a seed or—if they do survive—as a sensitive seedling hit by a late spring frost. There is no such thing as a winter pumpkin variety.
If you have a particularly large batch of pumpkin seeds or are not going to be able to get through your supply in three months, then freezing your pumpkin seeds is a simple way to extend their longevity.
Plant pumpkins in a different spot each year. Like all vegetables, you need to rotate or move pumpkin crops from year to year. Ideally, keep pumpkins on a three-year rotation cycle, meaning you don't plant them in the same spot for three years in a row.
Wash the seeds to remove any flesh and strings. Cure the seeds by laying them out in a single layer on a paper towel to dry. Store them this way in a place that is dry and out of direct sunlight. Once thoroughly dried, in 3 to 7 days, store them in an envelope in a cool dry place with the rest of your seed supply.
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Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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