Seed saving is about far more than collecting a few seeds at the end of the gardening season. It is a practical way to preserve heirloom varieties, strengthen your garden, and keep more control over your family’s food supply.
In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher and Maggie Snow of Autumn Prairie Pumpkins to discuss seed saving, heirloom pumpkins, hand pollination, pest-resistant squash varieties, and the small suburban garden that grew into a micro farm and seed business.
Christopher and Maggie explain the difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid seeds—and why seeds collected from a hybrid plant may not produce the same variety the following year. We also walk through their seed-saving process, including covering unopened blossoms, hand-pollinating flowers, preventing unwanted cross-pollination, and labeling the seeds they intend to preserve.
We also talk about:
Why heirloom seeds matter for food security and resilience
How to begin seed saving in your own garden
The difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid varieties
How squash and pumpkins cross-pollinate
Using blossom bags and hand pollination to keep seeds true
Choosing squash varieties adapted to local pests and conditions
Squash vine borers, cucumber beetles, and natural pest-management methods
Growing vertically in a small suburban backyard
Preserving unusual culinary pumpkins and their agricultural history
Turning a passion for gardening into a small farm business
You do not need acres of land, generations of gardening knowledge, or a naturally green thumb to begin growing food and saving seeds. Sometimes it starts with one stubborn pumpkin plant—and a willingness to learn why it survived when the others did not.
Learn more about Christopher and Maggie, shop their heirloom seeds, and find their pumpkin cookbook at AutumnPrairiePumpkins.com.
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