Zucchini are an amazing squash to grow in the garden. They grow very well and can be very fruitful. Saving zucchini seeds is a great way to get free seeds for next year’s garden. It’s also a fun and rewarding project that can be done by gardeners of all skill levels.
When saving seeds you will need to choose a ripe zucchini that has started to yellow or develop brown spots. Once you have selected a ripe zucchini, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Rinse the seeds thoroughly with water to remove all of the pulp. Spread the seeds out on a paper towel to dry completely. Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. With proper care, zucchini seeds can be stored for up to 3 years.
Step by Step Zucchini Seed Saving:
- Choose open-pollinated zucchinis. Open-pollinated zucchinis will produce seeds that are true to the parent plant. Hybrid zucchinis will not.
- Wait until the zucchinis are fully ripe. The seeds will not be viable if the zucchinis are not ripe. The seeds will be easier to remove and will be more likely to germinate if the zucchinis are fully ripe.
- Cut the zucchini open and remove the seeds. The seeds are the small, brown objects in the center of the zucchini.
- Rinse the seeds under cold water to remove any pulp or juice.
- Spread the seeds out on a paper towel or a plate to dry completely.
- Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Fermenting Zucchini Seeds
To ferment Zucchini seeds, place them in a jar and cover them with water. Add a loose cover to the jar and leave it at room temperature for 1-3 days.
After the seeds have fermented, rinse them again and spread them out on a paper towel to dry. Once the seeds are dry, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Zucchini seeds can be stored for up to 5 years if they are stored properly. When you’re ready to plant the seeds, sow them in the spring about 2 weeks after the last frost.
Quick tips for saving zucchini seeds:
- Do not save seeds from zucchinis that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
- Do not save seeds from diseased or pest ridden plants.
Just an FYI:
Open-pollinated zucchinis are those that have been pollinated by natural means, such as wind or insects. Hybrid zucchinis are those that have been bred by crossing two different varieties of zucchinis. The seeds of hybrid zucchinis will not be true to the parent plant, meaning that the offspring will not have the same characteristics as the parent plant. You can save and grow seeds from hybrids if that doesn’t matter to you.
Here are some additional details about each step:
- Choose open-pollinated zucchinis. Open-pollinated zucchinis are those that have been pollinated by natural means, such as wind or insects. Hybrid zucchinis are those that have been bred by crossing two different varieties of zucchinis. The seeds of hybrid zucchinis will not be true to the parent plant, meaning that the offspring will not have the same characteristics as the parent plant.
- Wait until the zucchinis are fully ripe. The seeds will not be viable if the zucchinis are not ripe. The seeds will be easier to remove and will be more likely to germinate if the zucchinis are fully ripe.
- Rinse the seeds under cold water. This will help to remove any pulp or juice that may be on the seeds.
- Spread the seeds out to dry. The seeds need to be completely dry before they can be stored. Spread them out in a single layer so that they can dry evenly.
- Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. The ideal temperature for storing zucchini seeds is 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. A refrigerator or freezer is a good option.
If you save your seeds properly then you will have so many zucchini seeds of your own for years to come!
Happy Gardening!
