How do you save seeds from squash to later plant?

Question:

How do I save seeds from fresh squash to use for planting later without them rotting?

Answer:

Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional

Seed saving is both an art and a science.  We have a bulletin on the topic Seed Saving for Home Gardeners  that explains the general process.

Some things to consider when saving seeds include:

  • Is this a fruit/plant that is open pollinated?  If so, the seed may not produce the same fruit variety as new genes have been introduced.
  • Is this plant/fruit a hybrid variety?  If so, then the seed may be sterile or it may revert to one of its parental varieties.
  • Do you have the space to store it correctly for the time frame until planting?  Cool and dry are the key words here.
  • Is this a local fruit/plant? If it was grown somewhere else it may not be hardy in Maine.  Thinks bought in the supermarket are often grown in milder climates and may need a longer growing season than we can provide.