How to Collect Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are collected for replanting next year or drying for snacks.

Pumpkins are available in many varieties such as miniature, sweet and giant. Some varieties are available only through saving the pumpkin's seeds. It is common to save pumpkin seeds when growing competition giants. This allows the gardener to grow and develop super-size pumpkins. Pumpkin seeds can also be collected from store-purchased pumpkins. These seeds are dried or roasted for snacks. When a pumpkin has reached its mature size, the seeds are ready for collecting.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Soft cloth
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Large spoon
• Newspaper
• Colander
• Cookie sheet
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Wash the outside of the selected pumpkin with soapy water. Dry the pumpkin with a soft cloth. Removing the surface dirt prevents contamination of the pumpkin meat when the knife cuts through the skin.

2. Place the pumpkin on a cutting board on a sturdy surface. Cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin or cut the pumpkin in half with a sharp knife.

3. Remove the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkin by scraping the sides of the pumpkin with a large spoon. Place the seeds and stringy insides on a newspaper.

4. Put the seeds in a colander in the kitchen sink. Run cool water on the seeds while swishing them around to separate the seeds from the strings. Pull off the strings as you rinse the seeds.

5. Line a cookie sheet with a layer of paper towels. Place the washed pumpkin seeds on the paper towels. Let the seeds air dry before storing.

Tips & Warnings

• Lay the cleaned pumpkin seeds on a greased cookie sheet and sprinkle salt on them. Place them in a warm oven for three to four hours to dry. Stir the pumpkin seeds every 15 minutes to avoid burning the seeds. Once dry, cool the seeds and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Pumpkin seeds make a quick, nutritious snack.

• Pumpkin plants will cross-breed with other types of pumpkins planted within one-half mile of each other. Collect pumpkin seeds from plants that are planted far away from each other. This will ensure that seeds saved for planting next year will grow plants similar to the parent plant.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: How to Collect, Dry and Roast Squash and Sunflower Seeds
• West Virginia University Extension: Seed Saving Tips
• National Center for Home Food Preservation: Drying Pumpkin Seeds