Pet & Animal: How to Dry Pumpkin Seeds

Sunday, 26 October 2014

How to Dry Pumpkin Seeds

Many avid gardeners like to harvest seeds from their crops at the end of each growing season for the next year's gardens. This simple task not only saves money, but gives gardeners the feeling that they are part of the continuing life cycle of plants when they are able to produce their own seeds. Pumpkins are one of the easiest crops to gather seeds from because the seeds are large and there are plenty of them in just one pumpkin. A few handfuls of seeds are all it takes to plant an entire pumpkin patch when gardening time rolls around again. But before they are ready to be planted, you must learn how to dry pumpkin seeds so they will germinate easily when planting season arrives.

Steps

Cut the top off of the pumpkin that you plan to take the seeds from and remove it.

Scoop the seeds out of your pumpkin.

Remove any of the fleshy inside part of the pumpkin that is attached to the seeds.

Put the pumpkin seeds in a colander and rinse them using cool or warm water.

Put the pumpkin seeds on paper towels and blot them dry.
- Be sure to remove any flesh or debris from the pumpkin that was left behind.

Spread the pumpkin seeds on a cookie or baking sheet.

Put the cookie or baking sheet with the pumpkin seeds in a cool place where there is no danger of dampness.

Check your drying pumpkin seeds daily and turn them so they dry evenly on both sides.
- Allow your pumpkin seeds to dry on the cookie or baking sheet for at least 1 month.

Remove the dried pumpkin seeds once they are thoroughly dry and put them in an envelop or paper bag to store until it's time to plant them.

Finished.

Tips

Once you know how to dry pumpkin seeds, you can apply the same method to other types of squash and gourds for plenty of your own seeds to plant next growing season.

If you would rather dry pumpkin seeds quickly, you can put them in the oven on low setting for 3 to 4 hours. However, be careful not to scorch or burn them, because they will not grow if damaged by the heat. If you have a dehydrator, you can also dry them in it at a low setting for about 1 to 2 hours. Though these methods may work, the slow drying process is recommended because it is more gentle to the seeds.

If you would like to have some pumpkin seeds to eat, roasting is better than drying them. Put them in the oven on a low setting with salt and oil for about 15 minutes.

Store dried pumpkin seeds in a cool, dry place. If you like, you can keep them in the refrigerator or freezer until planting season arrives.

Warnings

When spreading pumpkin seeds on a cookie or baking sheet to dry, do not leave them in clumps. They will not dry thoroughly and this might cause mold to develop on them.

If your dried pumpkin seeds develop mold, throw them away. They probably didn't dry properly or weren't cleaned thoroughly before drying and won't grow if they are rotten.

*TOO MANY SEEDS CAN LEAD TO A B6 OVERDOSE WHICH CAN LEAD TO CERTAIN DEATH. CONSUME WITH CARE.