If you have never tried to plant pumpkin seeds before, know that even supermarket pumpkin seeds grow! However, you may not get what you expect because pumpkins and gourds pollinate very easily. It’s best to stick with organic pumpkin seeds, preferably from a family heirloom, independent natural grocery store or local farmer’s market. It’s a simple process to prepare and plant pumpkin seeds from freshly cut or sliced pumpkins to grow in the garden. Since 2002, Sarah has been a staunch advocate for healthy living and nutrition, helping families effectively integrate traditional food principles into the modern home. Be sure to plant pumpkin seeds after all possibilities of frost have passed. I’ve seen some sources suggest that pumpkin seeds should be soaked before planting. Simply rinse them thoroughly to remove any remaining pumpkin flesh, dry them, and store them in an airtight container in a dark cupboard until ready to plant. Fresh pumpkin seeds seasoned from a batch of homemade mashed potatoes make a delicious snack. Pumpkins work very well if you plant the seeds directly into the ground, about an inch deep. I use the fall harvest for making pumpkin puree for the holidays, and spring varieties for slicing and baking in the oven. While it’s important to moisten the seeds to remove anti-nutritional elements if you want to eat them, I haven’t found this phase necessary for planting. Pumpkins need plenty of water and sun to grow, but at the same time they don’t like wet conditions. If you decide to extend them, you will have to cut back some of the fruit so that growth is concentrated in one pumpkin. It is important to note that pumpkins need a lot of room to grow. So the result will probably be a hybrid of the original varieties that produced the edible pumpkin. I plant 4 historic seeds in small stands 1.5 meters apart.
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