How To Collect Seeds You Can Plant

Your Spring garden will be amazing!

1) Apple seeds (In the Star)

• Eat or split the apple open.
• Find the seeds in the core and use tweezers to pull them out.
• Rinse the seeds in a little water to clean them.
• Place seeds on a paper towel in a single row. Let them dry for a few days until they feel hard.

2) Strawberry seeds (Tiny and Fun)

• Cut large strips off the outside of strawberry.
• Place the strips with the seeds up on a paper towel.
• Let strawberry strips dry (dry when you can rub off the seeds)
• Grab new paper towel.
• Rub the seeds onto a new paper towel to fully dry (they are tiny, so be patient).

3) Tomato seeds (Patient for Green)

• Cut the tomato and scoop seeds plus the jelly into a small jar or bowl.
• Add a little water and let the jar sit for 1–3 days at room temperature (an adult should watch it). The goo will start to separate from the seeds.
• After that, pour off the yucky stuff, rinse the seeds in a strainer, and spread them on a paper towel to dry completely (this can take several days).

4) Pumpkin seeds (Big and Bold)

• Cut the pumpkin open with an adult. Scoop the seeds and pulp into a bowl.
• Rinse seeds under water while rubbing them to remove pulp.
• Spread seeds on a paper towel in one layer and let them dry for several days.

5) Pepper seeds (Simple and Quick)

• Cut the pepper open with an adult.
• Pull the white center and seeds out and shake them onto a paper towel.
• Let seeds dry until they are hard. You can use tweezers to move seeds into neat rows.

6) Cucumber seeds (Clean and Easy)

• Cut the cucumber and scoop seeds into a bowl.
• Rinse seeds to remove slimy bits.
• Spread seeds on a paper towel in a single layer to dry for a few days.

Make your seed packets!

• When the seeds are dry, to place the seeds in the middle of a clean paper towel.
• Fold the paper towel over the seeds so they are wrapped safely.
• Use tape to close the paper towel packet so seeds do not fall out.
• Write the seed type and the year on the packet with your marker (for example: “Pumpkin — 2025”).
• Store your seed packets in a cool, dry place until you want to plant them.

Easy tips

• Always ask an adult for help when cutting fruit or using kitchen tools.
• Make sure seeds are fully dry before you seal them. Wet seeds can get moldy.
• Seeds from stores may be hybrids (they might not grow the same as the parent plant). That’s okay — it’s still fun to try!
• Keep your packets labeled with the year so you know how old they are.