Next year, I would like to keep my out of pocket gardening expenses as low as possible. My goal is to spend about half the amount I did this year {about $550}, on garden supplies like seeds, soil and tools.
One of the ways I am plan to achieve my goal, is to save as many seeds as possible this year. Saving your own seeds can be a HUGE money saver. And the way I see it, if the Pilgrims could do it, so can I. For me, gardening is not so much about the end result, as much as it is the learning process, the trial and error period you go through along the way.
Gardening can be loads of fun, especially when you branch out and try new things every now and then again.
So if you have never tried saving seeds before, give it a try.
How to Save Pumpkin / Squash Seeds
- Scrap the insides of a pumpkin with a large spoon to remove pulp, place into a large bowl
- Remove as much pulp from the seeds as possible with your hands, and rinse seeds under running water to help remove any excess pulp
- Drain seeds, blot dry, and place on a paper towel to dry for 24 hours
- Transfer seeds to piece of wax paper {or parchment paper} and let them continue to dry out for a couple of weeks
- Place seeds in an airtight container {I actually use zip baggies}, label, and store in a cool, dry place until ready to plant the following year.
Do you save your pumpkin and squash seeds every year, or buy new ones?
If you are a seed saver, how long have you been saving your seeds, and how much do you think you have saved over the years by doing this?
~ Mavis
Want to learn more about saving seeds? Check out The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs
Kelly says
This is a great idea! Do you know if you can do this with jalapeno seeds?
Sarah says
Depends on if you planted heirloom or hybrid seed, and if your Jalapenos were planted next too different pepper varieties. The book “Heirloom Life Gardener” by Gere Gettle, tells you how far you need to space plants from same varieties to avoid cross-pollination and have “true” seed, as well as how to actually cut out seeds and dry them for planting next year. Any plants that you planted by heirloom seed can be harvested and seeds can be saved for the following year (s) to come! GO HEIRLOOM!
Danielle says
I think you may run into a problem with cross pollination. You have a wide variety of squashes growing, and the bees just bounce from flower to flower. The new plant that grows from these seeds may end up being a cross between two different pumpkins or any other squashes you have growing. Kind of like a ‘Hybrid’ In other words, if you plant those seeds thinking you will get hubbard squash you might end up with something that looks nothing like a hubbard squash. I’m not sure if I am making any sense here, so if you’re concerned just google ‘saving squash seeds”.
CathyB says
One thing to know about saving seeds is if your parent plant was a hybrid or not. If the parent was a hybrid then the seeds may produce a a fruit or veg like the parent – or it may produce a fruit or veg with totally different characteristics that are from the “grandparents”. This is one of the reasons that so many people like the heirloom varieties – the seeds continue to produce true to the parent (usually, there are cases where you can unknowingly create your own hybrid seeds.) You CAN always plant seeds from hybrids; just know that the results may be very mixed and you probably will not end up with the same type of tomato, squash, ect. as you had last year.
Julie2 says
This is my first year really gardening, so this is my first year saving seeds. I saved the easy ones, dill, cilantro, and nasturtiums. I should have saved more, but will aim to improve each year.
Kathy says
My sister is the seed saver, as she is the gardener. Pumpkin, all kinds of herbs and this year both of us are saving 2 hot pepper seeds…Hungarian and Inferno, which is a Hungarian hybrid. She does it same as you, been doing it for years and has probably saved close to $100 with all the things she plants.
Kathy says
My sister is the seed saver, as she is the gardener. Pumpkin, all kinds of herbs and this year both of us are saving 2 hot pepper seeds…Hungarian and Inferno, which is a Hungarian hybrid. She does it same as you, been doing it for years and has probably saved close to $100 with all the things she plants.
Teresa Yb. says
We have been re-planting and saving our green bean seeds for at least 5 years now. When we are done picking them green for the year, we allow the plants to completely dry out and get brown. Then we pick the brown, dry bean pods and save our dry little bean seeds for spring. I think they are the easiest seed to save, and they don’t have the cross-pollination issue.
Deanne says
I began saving my seeds in the Fall of 2019. I saved seeds from the mini sweet peppers that I bought at the grocery….just to experiment.
This year (2020), we sowed those seeds and had an enormous harvest of red, yellow, and orange mini sweet peppers.
I am saving seeds from many different things from the garden this year and even some heirloom pumpkins I have acquired this Fall. I am so excited for the 2021 planting season. Can’t wait!