serious seed question from a nearly 4 year old

melody has been here helping prep a Butternut squash for a soup, these ones were bought in Aldi's 49p offers
so Melody wants to know why doesnt Grandma grow them ( most veg really does come straight from the garden

she asking can we keep the seeds and will they grow here this year ???? ummmm errrrrrrrr ahhhhhh

i dont know i replied ..... but you know everything no i dont
Melody is disgusted with me and is demanding to know why i dont know so help please

can i save the seeds if so how ?
will it grow here ? if so instructions please
i have told melody that you lovely people will know the answer

 

My ears have pricked up!! I'm interested in knowing the answer to this myself (:

 

From personal experience, I have successfully scooped out, dried and sowed seeds from a number of vegetables bought from the supermarket. I was told many years ago that a number of veg from the supermarket had 'blind' seeds and would not sow successfully however my experience has not proved that.

I suggest you scoop out the seeds, let them dry out without any of the veg 'meat' on them. I store mine in a small container with a few pasta shells to absorb any extra moisture (not too dry, mind) and then the next season I will sow them.

I have sown seeds more or less immediately but stopped after realising a very poor result. It works for me to have the seeds drying out for a few months. Others might have a different experience.

 

Despite squashes being notoriously promiscuous, why not (for a bit of fun) save some seeds, sow a few and plant out the best one? It may not come true to the (probably F1) parent, it could have even crossed with another squash.

I think it's really important for kids to understand you can harvest/save seeds/sow again (rather than assume they're only available in packets from shops). Mrs Scrungee worked with kids at the local school and they were amazed this could be done.

 

she understands that they grow from seeds as she helped with the the peas, beans and runners in the autumn, so as soon as she saw theses seeds she was like oh hang on i will get a pot and some tissue to keep them in ...... and then in started a very lengthy debate

i wouldnt be able to sow them this year then but keep for next year ..... looks like i may have to buy some seeds any way then as she has decided she just loves butternut squash

 

thanks FB she has washed them and placed on tissue no meat to be seen ! currently placed on coffee table near to radiator to help them along


do i grow them like cougette marrows ?

 

Not quite ButterNut Squash - How does HoneyDew Melon sound?

I have a surplus of HDMelon seeds harvested from supermarket produce and will post you some if that pleases.

e2a: We cross-posted. I've never grown ButterNut Squash - I can't stand the stuff! So sorry, I have no direct exp of this only of other veg and fruit.
fwiw - I dry my seeds out on the window sill for a week and then in an open top contianer in the kitchen cupboard for a month and then put the lid on. Perhaps once a month I'll open the lid and give the seeds a shake.

 

They like their roots to be warm, so growing through a polythene/Mypex mulch mat will help.

 

oh i havent grown melons either but i could try lol green house ?

 

i have a green house are they difficult to grow ?

 

I've grown butternut squash a few times but for me they were poor performers
Few fruits and even fewer that matured.

 

If you're talking about melons, I found them reaosnably easy to grow in a g/h.

 

yes sorry FB i meant melons

 

You could quietly supplement the seeds with a few packet ones if you're in doubt about the viability/ quality of your harvested ones. What Melody's eyes don't see her heart won't grieve for! As long as the new ones look EXACTLY the same!

 

Madahhlia i am of the same mind

i have found some cobnut squash seeds in my box i figure that they look close enough and she can grow them this season ( i think the seeds just harvested would not be sown until not year ?)