Seed saving is a great way to save money and get healthy, organic food. Melon seed saving, an extension of the main melon harvesting process is not complicated. In fact, it is one of the easiest things to do for your garden (apart from watering), so it’s a good hobby for everyone. The success rate for growing watermelons from seeds is up to 80%, meaning that if you’re going to grow watermelons organically, you’ll get up to four times as many delicious melons each season. So, let’s see how this process works!
Select Melons That Are Ripe and Ready to Eat.
- Scoop out the seeds from the melon, being careful not to damage them.
- Rinse the seeds with water until they stop foaming.
- Place the seeds in a paper towel and leave them outside overnight so they can dry out completely.
- Soak the seeds overnight in warm water (room temperature). This will help soften them up so they’re easier to remove from their shells.
- Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on each seed, which will help kill any bacteria or mold that may have gotten into them while they were drying out.
- Remove the shell using your fingernails or a knife if necessary.
Clean The Melon Flesh from The Seeds.
Soak the seeds in a bowl of water for about 10 minutes. This will help loosen up the seeds and make them easier to remove from the fruit.
Gently scrub each seed with your fingers until you can see that all of the flesh has been removed from around it. The best way to do this is by holding one end of your melon slice in one hand and gently rubbing it back and forth with your other hand.
Rinse off any remaining bits of flesh or pulp with cool water, then lay the seeds out on a paper towel or cloth to dry completely before storing them (otherwise they’ll mold).
Rinse The Seeds Gently in A Strainer Under Cool Running Water.
Rinse the seeds gently in a strainer under cool running water.
Dry the seeds on a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
Place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature until they are ready to be planted.
How to Store Melon Seeds
- Melon seeds should be stored in a cool place that is dark and dry.
- You can store them in an airtight container, but you will have better results if you keep them in their own paper envelope or plastic bag.
- If you have kept your melons in their own containers, you can use these containers as storage vessels for your seeds too!
Spread The Cleaned Seeds on A Plate or A Cookie Sheet.
Spread the cleaned seeds on a plate or a cookie sheet. Allow them to dry for several days in a warm place, such as near your stove or in an unheated garage.
Once they are thoroughly dry, store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Plant melon seeds directly into your garden after all danger of frost has passed and when night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). This can be as early as four weeks before last frost date or as late as two weeks after last frost date. However, if you live in zones 4 through 6 and have adequate soil moisture from previous rains, plant your melons after all danger of frost has passed and when night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius).
Dry The Seeds for Three To Four Days, Stirring Once A Day.
Melon seeds can be dried and stored for later use. They are used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries.
Dry the seeds for three to four days, stirring once a day. After they are dry, remove them from the jar and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The seeds will keep for one year if stored properly.
To dry melon seeds, fill a large bowl with water and set it on top of a heating pad set to low heat. Place the bowl on top of several layers of paper towels and cover it with a clean dish towel. This will keep the seeds moist while they are drying out.
Pour The Dry Seeds into A Bowl.
Melon seeds are small, round, and brown. They are packed with protein, fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Melon seeds can be eaten raw or roasted. You can also use them in cooking or baking.
When you have a large amount of melon seeds, you will need to know how to save them in order to use them later. The following steps will help you save melon seeds:
- Harvesting Melon Seeds
Harvesting the melon seeds is the first step in saving them. You should harvest the seeds when they are ripe and before they begin to rot. To harvest the melons, cut them open and scoop out their insides with a spoon or knife. Then pick out all of the seeds from inside each melon and place them in a bowl or jar for storage.
Store Them in A Sealed Container In Your Refrigerator Or Freezer Until You’re Ready To Plant Them.
- Save melon seeds from your favorite varieties of watermelons, honeydew melons and cantaloupes to grow more of their kind. Here’s how to store them properly.
- Store them in a sealed container in your refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to plant them.
- Remove the pulp and seeds from the melon by cutting it open and scooping out the seeds with a spoon.
- Place the seeds on a paper towel or other absorbent surface and let them dry for 24 hours.
- Soak the seeds overnight in warm water, using 1 part bleach (5 percent) to 9 parts water (1 tablespoon bleach per 2 cups of water).
Conclusion
It may seem like a lot of work to save your seeds; however, you can’t beat the price. When you buy melon from seed catalogs, it will be considerably more expensive, and chances are you won’t find the various varieties that you can grow from your own plants. So if you have an abundance of melons this year, consider planting some to keep for yourself next year.
