Skip to main content

How to Save Watermelon Seeds for Planting on Small Garden



Watermelon seeds from this year's garden can be planted next year.
Seeds saved from the fruits of your garden's non-hybrid watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus) can grow into new plants the following season. Different varieties of watermelons can cross-pollinate, which results in seedlings that aren't exactly like their parent plants. So grow only one watermelon variety in the garden if you want to save the seeds. The large seeds separate from the fruits easily, but they require some preparation to store well. Properly saved watermelon seeds can remain viable up to four years.
  1. Cut open a ripe watermelon. Scoop the seeds from the melon's flesh, and place them in a strainer.
  2. Rinse the seeds with warm tap water, removing most of the pulp. Add one drop of liquid dish soap, and wash the seeds gently to remove the remaining watermelon juice. Rinse the seeds thoroughly with only water.
  3. Spread the seeds on a sheet of wax paper. Dry the seeds for one week, turning them once each day so they dry completely.
  4. Place the seeds in an envelope, and seal it closed. Label the outside of the envelope with the watermelon variety and the date you harvested the seeds. Put the envelope inside an airtight jar, and put the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool, dark room until you are ready to plant the seeds.

Things You Will Need
  • Knife
  • Strainer
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Wax paper
  • Envelope with seal / Airtight jar with lid

Tip
Watermelon seeds typically germinate within five to seven days after they are planted. If your saved seeds don't germinate during that period, then they may not have retained their viability during harvest and storage.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Utengenezaji wa Chakula cha Kuku wa Nyama (Bloilers)

Utangulizi Kuku wa nyama wana mahitaji yafuatayo ya viinilishe katika chakula ili wakue vizuri Viinilisha vya wanga 60-65%   Protini 30-35%   Madini 2-8% Chakula cha Vifaranga Chakula hiki hutengenezwa katika namna ya kumsaidia kifaranga aweze kumeza vizuri na hivyo hakitakiwi kuwa katika punje punje. Hata kama utanunua pumba, ni vema kuzipitisha kwenye mashine ili ziwe laini zaidi.  Mahitaji (kgs)  Unga wa dona wa nafaka kama mahindi au mtama 40  Pumba za mtama au mahindi au uwele 27  Mashudu ya alizeti au ufuta, au pamba au karanga n.k. 20  Unga wa mifupa au chokaa ya kuku (DCP) 2.25  Dagaa au mabaki ya samaki (sangara fish meal) 10  Chumvi ya jikoni 0.5  Virutubisho (Broiler premix) 0.25  Jumla utapata 100Kg. Chakula cha kukuzia – growers mash Mahitaji (Kg) Mahindi yaliyobarazwa au mtama au uwele 25   Pumba za mtama au mahindi au uwele 44   Mashudu ya alizeti au ufuta, au pamba au karanga n.k. 17   Unga wa mifupa au chokaa ya kuku (DCP) 3.25   Dagaa au mabaki ya samaki (fish meal) 1
2 comments
Read more

Aina Za Miti ya Minazi

AINA ZA MINAZI Inafaa mkulima kufahamu kuna aina mbali mbali za minazi na ina mahitaji tofauti katika ukuaji. Ujuzi huu utamsaidia katika kuchagua aina ya minazi itakayofaa kwa eneo lake na kwa kiwango chake cha utunzaji. KUNA AINA TATU ZA MINAZI Minazi mirefu ya asili Minazi mifupi Minazi chotara MINAZI MIREFU YA ASILI (EAT) Minazi ya aina hii ndiyo inayojulikana na wakulima wengi kwa vile ni ya kiasili na imezoea mazingira yetu. Minazi hii huchukua miaka 6-8 tangu kupandikizwa hadi kuzaa. Minazi ya aina hii huvumilia ukame na inao uwezo wa kutoa wastani wa nazi 40 kwa mwaka. Nazi huwa kubwa na zenye nyama nene ambayo inafaa kwa kupikia na kukamua mafuta. Minazi hii huishi kad ya miaka 60 na kuendelea. Nchini Tanzania, minazi hii hustawi vyema ukanda wa pwani sehemu zisizo na mawe na ambazo hazituamishi maji. MINAZI MIFUPI (DWARF) Minazi ya aina hii huzaa mapema kuanzia miaka miwili. Huzaa nazi nyingi na ndogo. Nazi hizi huwa na nyama nyembamba hivyo hutumika kwa nnadafu. Minazi huhit
6 comments
Read more

Kilimo cha Miti ya Mbao - Uwekezaji wa Muda wa Kati na Mrefu

Utangulizi Kilimo cha miti ni uwekezaji wa muda wa kati na mrefu (mid & long term investments). Ila kwa kawaida jamii nyingi hasa za kiafrika huwa hazivutiwi na uwekezaji wa muda mrefu. Hata hivyo kama una mpango wa kuwa imara kiuchumi inashauriwaau yakupasa kufikiria na kujifunza aina za uwekezaji wa muda mrefu. Miti hutumika kwa matumizi mengi mfano mbao, nguzo za umeme na kujengea, mapambo, kuni na mkaa, kuzalisha matunda, mitishamba na madawa,  utengenezeaji wa karatasi n.k.  Mchanganuo Ekari moja ya shamba unaweza kupanda miti mia sita (500) mpaka mia saba (700). Gharama za kununua mashamba au maeneo ya kupandia miti hutegemea na eneo. Kwa  sehemu nyingi za vijijini maeneo kwa ekari moja hayazidi laki 5.  Miche ya kununua mfano Mitiki huuzwa kuanzia elfu moja (1000) kwa mche mmoja Gharama ya kununua miche =  1000 * 600 = 600,000   Pia unaweza kuokoa gharama za kununua miche kwa kuioteshe mwenyewe ktk vitalu na kuiamishia shambani baada ya kustawi vizuri na kuwa imara.  Mf. Mbe
2 comments
Read more