From Homesandgardens · · 1m 20s
Save Seeds From October Crops
How to save seeds from beans, pumpkins, and zucchini for next year's garden.
In brief
How to save seeds from beans, pumpkins, and zucchini for next year's garden. Save seeds from fully ripe beans, pumpkins, and zucchini by letting them dry on the vine, cleaning and labeling them before storing. Originally reported by Homesandgardens.
Beans: Let Pods Dry On Vine
Leave healthy beans to mature on the plant until pods turn brown and papery.
Pumpkins: Pick Ripe, Healthy Fruit
Harvest pumpkins when rind is hard, fruit fully colored, and stem begins to dry.
Zucchini: Let One Become Marrow
Leave zucchini on plant until it becomes oversized and skin hardens for seed saving.
Clean, Dry, Label, Store
Spread seeds on trays to dry completely, then store in labeled paper envelopes.
Bean Care Tips
Beans pollinate themselves but different varieties can cross-pollinate if plants are close together.
Pumpkin Seed Cleaning
Scoop seeds from pumpkin, rinse, and spread on trays to dry for several weeks.
Zucchini Cross-Pollination
Zucchini can cross-pollinate with other varieties, leading to unexpected fruit or flavor.
Bitter Squash Warning
Discard squash that tastes unusually bitter to avoid illness from high cucurbitacin levels.
Seed Storage Guide
Store seeds in labeled paper envelopes inside airtight containers in cool, dark places.
The headline
Save seeds from fully ripe beans, pumpkins, and zucchini by letting them dry on the vine, cleaning and labeling them before storing.
