How to Save Pumpkin Seeds For Planting Next Season

Did you know that you can save pumpkin seeds from decorative pumpkins in the fall to grow your own beautiful artisanal pumpkins next year? Some specialty pumpkin seeds can be incredibly expensive, but there is an easy way to get them for dirt cheap!

Pumpkins are one of my favorite crops to save seeds from because just one pumpkin can contain hundreds of seeds. That’s a lot of potential! More than enough seeds to roast and eat, and still replant next season.

It’s time to learn how to save pumpkin seeds for planting, including from unique heirloom and decorative stacking varieties, whether you grew pumpkins yourself or bought them at the store.

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Save Today, Seed Tomorrow

If you know me, you know that I love to save a buck, and I love to show you how to save a buck as well! Seed saving is one great way to save money in the garden.

That’s why I’ve shared my complete guide to seed saving with you, plus crop-specific information on how to harvest sunflower seeds to save, how to save tomato seeds, how to save bean seeds, how to save lettuce seeds, and now, how to save pumpkin seeds. 

Where to Get Pumpkins Inexpensively 

The most obvious way to get pumpkins and other winter squash varieties inexpensively is by learning how to grow a pumpkin plant yourself. Then, all you need to know is when to harvest pumpkins in the fall.

Beyond saving seeds from homegrown pumpkins, sometimes I buy specialty pumpkins at huge discounts from the store when they go on sale after the holidays. Or sometimes I get unique pumpkins right out of the trash when all the carving and decorative pumpkins are on the sides of the road waiting to go to the landfill. 

Every year after Halloween, an estimated 1 billion pounds of pumpkins or more are thrown away, worth an estimated $100 million. When I spot a really pretty pumpkin or a specific cultivar I want to grow, I collect it, harvest the seeds, and use the rest of the pumpkin to make pumpkin fertilizer for my garden.

Picking up pumpkins after Halloween to harvest the seeds is something that I’ve been doing since I was a kid! I can safely say that I’ve always been a seed lover.

Cross-Pollination in Pumpkins

I know that some people are going to ask if there is a chance of cross pollination in store-bought and collected pumpkins, and the short answer is yes. Others may be wondering why that is a concern, so let me explain.

Cross pollination happens in nature when pollinators transfer pollen between different varieties of the same type of plant. This creates seeds that yield unpredictable results. 

Here's the example I shared in Different Types of Seeds (GMO, Hybrid, Organic & Heirloom): if a red hot pepper was cross pollinated with a yellow sweet pepper, the seeds might yield a hybrid plant that produces red sweet peppers, which is different than both parent varieties. 

That being said, when you buy or collect pumpkins, there will be some cross pollination, and the pumpkins you may end up growing from those seeds can be a bit of a mystery. But I guarantee you that there will also be quite a few pumpkin seeds that produce pumpkins just like the original. So for me, it’s worth it and even part of the fun! 

I encourage you to give it a try, too. You might be surprised by some of the beautiful and unique pumpkins you end up growing.

Supplies Needed

• Pumpkins - Choose mature pumpkins because they will have fully developed seeds.

• Small Bucket - You’ll want a bucket or a large bowl to scoop the seeds into.

• Strainer - A strainer is not completely essential, but it really makes cleaning the seeds a lot easier.

• Wax Paper - I use wax paper for drying pumpkin seeds because the wet seeds will not stick to it once dried.

• Seed Saver Packets - Seed saver packets are a great way to store your seeds for next season, or to package them as gifts to gardeners, friends, and family. 

How to Save Pumpkin Seeds

Saving pumpkin seeds is surprisingly easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Break the Pumpkin Open - I recommend doing this outdoors because it can get messy. You can use a weighted tamping rod, a sledgehammer, an axe, a tractor bucket (like I did in the video), or something similar to break the pumpkin open. You might even be able to crack it open by throwing it on the ground.

2. Scoop Out the Seeds - Remove the seeds from the inside of the pumpkin with your hand (or a spoon) and place them in a small bucket or bowl.

3. Wash the Seeds - Transfer the seeds to a strainer and clean them under gently running water, using your hands to remove any pulp.

4. Arrange on Wax Paper - Put the clean seeds in a single layer on a sheet of wax paper. Don’t pile them on top of each other, or they will not dry out properly.

5. Dry the Seeds - Allow the seeds to dry on the wax paper in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location for about 2 to 3 weeks. Pro-Tip: Don’t rush this! Pumpkin seeds store moisture really well, and any moisture left in the seeds when you go to store them will result in moldy and spoiled seeds.

6. Store the Seeds - When the seeds are fully dried, place them in a seed saver packet and label it with the name of the variety, the date, and whether or not they are potentially cross-pollinated. Store the packets in seed storage containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Pro-Tip: Read this blog post on The Best Seed Storage Containers to learn how to store seeds to keep them at peak freshness, how long they’re viable, and which storage containers work best for a large seed collection!