Home & Garden Trees & Houseplants

How to Prepare Squash Seeds for Planting

By Home & Garden Last updated Monday, July/01/2024

1). Allow squash to fully ripen on the vine. Harvest when the outer skin is hard. Winter squash has hard outer skin when it is ripe, but summer squashes, such as zucchini, must become overripe to develop a hard shell.
2). Slice the squash in half and scoop the seeds with a spoon. Pulp will stick to the seeds. Wash it away in a bowl of water and dry the seeds with a paper towel.
3). Place the clean seeds on a newspaper-lined baking sheet to dry. Keep the sheet in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
4). Store the seeds in labeled, airtight glass jars after the seeds are fully dry, in about one week. Keep the jars in a cool, dry location until you are ready to plant your garden.