The Best Method For Preparing Fresh Fruit Seeds For Planting

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There are a variety of reasons why gardening is good for your health as well as your yard. Beyond providing healthy meals and snacks, filling your garden with fruits such as watermelons can attract butterflies and other creatures that are beneficial to your yard. However, a common mistake beginning gardeners make is believing the only way to accomplish this is to buy an assortment of prepackaged seeds. While this will certainly aid in your cultivation of various fruits, for those wanting to be more self-reliant, there are several ways to source your own seeds.

While harvesting, preparing, and planting your own fresh fruit seeds is simple, there is more to it than just throwing them out on the ground and letting them grow. While some plants will definitely propagate from unprepared seeds or even decomposing fruit, to be able to ensure they can be properly stored and sown at the appropriate time, most fruit seeds need to be prepared. The exception to this rule are the seeds of many tropical and subtropical plants, which should be planted soon after they are removed from the fruit, regardless of season.

To prepare other fruit seeds for storage and planting, first remove the seeds from fully ripe fruit, being careful to remove any remaining bits of flesh from the seeds. If possible, try to get seeds from the plants that grow the best in your garden and produce the most fruit. Seeds taken from fruits such as tomatoes or watermelons (which are considered fleshy) should be agitated in a bowl of water to ensure all the fruit remnants are removed. The seeds should then be thoroughly dried at temperatures not exceeding 95 degrees. Do not expose the seeds to sunlight while they are drying.

Given that seeds are taken from fully ripe fruit, odds are you will need to store them until the appropriate time for planting. This is why the drying process is critical — it will prevent premature germination as well as molding. Once the seeds are thoroughly dried, they are ready to be stored. During the storage process, heat, moisture, rodents, and insects are threats to seeds. Proper storage protocol will protect the seeds against each of these pitfalls and ensure good germination once planted. 

Start by placing the dried seeds in seed storage envelopes and label them with the fruit name and date stored. Then, place the envelopes of seeds in sealed glass jars with a silicate pack. The silicate pack can be taken out of the jar after a couple of weeks, but will help ensure any remaining moisture in the seeds, envelopes, or jars is eliminated. The jars should be kept in an area that is cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. A closet or root cellar is ideal. Jars of seeds can also be kept in your refrigerator.

Once it is time to plant your garden, there may be some pre-planting prep required. If you have seeds that require stratification, this can be done by placing a tray of soil mix and seeds in the refrigerator for a month or two. Since many fruit seeds are hard, some suggest scarifying, or making small scratches or nicks in the seed, before planting. This helps water penetrate the seed and improves germination. Soaking seeds in water overnight is another option for increasing the germination success of hard-shelled fruit seeds.