Preparation Method

• Cut open a ripe, healthy pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Put the seeds in a clean container and fill the container with water. Set the container in a warm location, such as a kitchen counter and wait several days. The pulp will separate from the seeds and the non-viable seeds will float to the top. Remove the floating seeds and pulp, drain the water and fill the container with fresh water. Repeat this process several times for up to a week until the pulp is gone and only hard, firm seeds remain. Place the seeds on a paper plate or paper towel in a single layer and store them in a warm location, such as the top of the refrigerator. Wait a day or two until the seeds are completely dry.
  
  

Storage

• Store dried pumpkin seeds in plastic containers or seed envelopes. Mark the seeds with the date, variety and any notes about special characteristics or growing requirements. Store the seeds in a cool, dark location and use them within one to two years for best results. If you store seeds in a shed or garage, place them in a tightly closed plastic or metal container so birds and mice can't eat them.
  
  

Pollination

• Pumpkins are pollinated by insects, which means that if other pumpkin and squash varieties are growing within 1/4 mile of your gardening site, the pumpkins might cross-pollinate. Any seeds saved from a cross-pollinated pumpkin will produce unpredictable and often negative results. To avoid cross-pollination, grow only one pumpkin type in your garden. Another option is to hand pollinate pumpkins. To hand pollinate, pick a male blossom first thing in the morning. Female blossoms have a small bump at the base of the blossom; males do not. Remove all the petals from the male blossom so you are left with a pollen laden, orange or yellow spike known as the anther. Brush the anther against the stigma, or interior portion of a newly opened female blossom. Gently fold the blossom closed so bees can't enter it. In a few days, the flower withers and a pumpkin begins to grow if pollination was successful.
  
  

Hybrids

• Hybrid seeds are created by crossing two different varieties to make a new plant, in effect, an intentional cross-pollination. The seeds from these plants won't grow true to the original parent plant. When buying seed, avoid seeds labeled F-1 hybrid if you hope to save the seed. Use heirloom varieties or hybrids labeled F-2 hybrid.