[Weston grower]

I had a good year with pumpkins(Baby Pam) and have saved some seed which I've dried.

I'd like to try germinating some of the seed to make sure that it will grow next year. Question is - do I have to wait or can I try them now? Is there anything special I have to do to them first?

Regards, WG 

[arugula]

I grew pumpkins last year from an orange supermarket special and didn't do anything special with the seeds. Assuming "Baby Pam" is not an F1 variety, which would give you unexpected results, I guess if you want to be sure they will grow next year, you can plant a couple now, but these will be sacrificial plants if they do germinate, as its the wrong time of year for them.

 

[Weston grower]

Thanks Argyllie. They arent F1's and it seemed a shame to throw away so many seeds.

[strangerachael]

Did they grow near any other types of squash? If so they may have cross-pollinated and you will get unexpected results from the seeds. I tried it one year and got orange marrow shaped things. They were perfectly edible but you never know what you're going to get!

[sunshineband]

You can test germination on a wet tissue on a saucer