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I froze my pumpkin seeds from my large farm bought pumpkin last year...?

Will they sprout in a few weeks? I froze them in October on the day I carved the pumpkin. I have heard so many mixed things that i'm uncertain what is factual. But today I decided I would plant them in my garden just to see what would happen. I live in Texas and we are past our last freeze now and I sowed in the pumpkin seeds this afternoon. But prior to sowing I let them thaw out naturally and did not force the thawing. I also let them semi dry between paper towels for 2 days before planting them. Will they sprout in a few weeks? What is the likely hood? I have heard mixed things that yes they will and no they may not. But I do have a nice raised garden bed with real rich soil and organic compost manure. Thanks for the help!

Public Comments

1. Your pumpkin seeds should sprout within the next week or so. Freezing the seeds does not kill the seeds and is a better method of preservation than being kept in a warm environment. The heat causes more damage than the cold does. However, there is a great probability that the farm-raised pumpkin may have been crossed with another variety of pumpkin or squash if there was another variety within several hundred feet. They may not grow true-to-type, but they should still produce some form of pumpkin/squash that will be usable. Good luck!
2. About three years ago, I did this with pumpkin seeds. About a third of the seeds sprouted but those that did, very hardy. I also did flowers from their seed and it seems that about 75% of them sprouted but they are not nearly as large as pumpkin seeds. You can expect some success.
3. I live up in Michigan, and our winters are long and cold. I have had pumpkin seeds sprout that had been left outside all winter in pumpkins that I used for decorating in the fall, and didn't get used up before it snowed.