Pumpkin pointer

September/October 2008

'Recycling' seeds from your jack-o'-lantern

By David Ross

Carving a pumpkin for Halloween? Instead of throwing all the seeds away after creating your jack-o'-lantern, why not try saving some to see what you can grow next year? It is really quite simple. All you need to do is clean, dry and store any of your favorite seeds.

Here's how to do it. Put the pulp and seeds in a strainer and wash them thoroughly to remove all the stringy orange flesh and debris. Next, put your clean seeds on paper. Let them dry for a couple of weeks and be sure to change the paper a couple of times. After the seeds are thoroughly dry, store them in an envelope in as cool an area as possible.

Seeds keep well when stored between 32 and 41 degrees but can be stored at higher temperatures. Be sure to keep your seeds dry. Moisture is their worst enemy!

If you don't want to wait until next year to plant your seeds, roast them in the oven with some salt and enjoy them right away. Next year you can buy some seeds that someone else stored properly for you.

David Ross is a horticulturalist and manager for Walter Andersen Nursery in San Diego and Poway.