Squash & Pumpkin Seed Saving — FarmPal

Squash cross-pollinate freely via insects within the same species (C. pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata). Hand-pollination or isolation bags are needed for pure seed.

Pollination
insect
Isolation
800+ feet or hand-pollination required
Seed Maturity
Let fruit fully mature on vine (20+ days past eating stage)
Storage Life
4-6 years

Harvest

  1. 1Allow fruit to remain on vine until fully mature and hard-shelled
  2. 2Store winter squash 2-4 weeks after harvest before extracting seed
  3. 3Cut open and scoop out seeds

Processing

  1. 1Separate seeds from stringy pulp in a bowl of water
  2. 2Viable seeds sink; empty seeds float discard floaters
  3. 3Rinse clean seeds thoroughly
  4. 4Spread on screen or plate to dry for 1-2 weeks
  5. 5Stir daily to prevent sticking

Storage Tips

  • •Fully dry before storing (break test should snap)
  • •Paper envelopes in airtight container
  • •Cool and dark

Pro Tips

  • 💡C. pepo (zucchini, acorn) crosses with C. pepo (pumpkins, delicata) NOT with butternut (C. moschata)
  • 💡Hand-pollination: tape female flower shut, hand-transfer pollen next morning, re-tape
  • 💡Only grow one variety per species for easy pure seed or hand-pollinate
  • 💡Winter squash seeds improve with "after-ripening" storage of fruit before seed extraction