Pumpkin Seeds

Carve a spooky design or bake a delicious pumpkin pie with homegrown organic pumpkins!

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We’re Signers of the Safe Seed Pledge!

All of our Peaceful Valley brand vegetable seed packs are CCOF & USDA Certified Organic, in addition to being Non-GMO and Open-Pollinated (with the exception of hybrid seeds).

All Peaceful Valley brand seeds are

Guaranteed To Germinate

Terms & Restrictions Apply
Pumpkin Seeds - Grow Organic

Growing pumpkin seeds can be an exciting venture, encompassing both culinary delights and ornamental festivities. Here's a comprehensive guide to nurturing these versatile squash seeds:

Understanding Pumpkin Seeds:

  • Pumpkin Varieties: Pumpkins come in diverse colors, ranging from deep orange to nearly white, offering various tastes and sizes.
  • Taste Profile: The taste of pumpkin is relatively mild, rendering it adaptable for both sweet and savory dishes.
  • Seed Utilization: Pumpkin seeds, when roasted, become a delightful snack, and they serve as fantastic toppings for salads or soups.
  • Decorative Use: Apart from culinary purposes, pumpkins are widely used for decorations, especially around Halloween, whether for carving jack-o'-lanterns or making scrumptious pumpkin pies.

Cultivation Essentials:

  • Harvest Time: Fall marks the prime season for pumpkin harvesting.
  • Seed Extraction: After scooping out the seeds from a fresh pumpkin, clean and dry them thoroughly before their use.
  • Roasting Technique: Spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for roasted seeds. Toss with olive oil and desired seasonings like pumpkin pie spice, curry powder, or chili powder. Roast until golden brown for a delectable snack.
  • Eating Pumpkin Seeds: The roasted seeds can be enjoyed as a delightful snack or used to garnish various dishes.
  • Pumpkin Flesh Usage: Homemade pumpkin puree can be made from the flesh, offering a versatile ingredient for pies, soups, or baked goods.

Cultivation Steps:

  • Seed Preparation: Clean the seeds by removing any residual pumpkin flesh. Pat them dry thoroughly before roasting or storage.
  • Roasting Process: Spread the cleaned seeds on a baking sheet, ensuring they're in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and add desired spices. Roast them in the oven until they turn golden brown and crispy.
  • Variety of Uses: Roasted pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack or used as a topping for salads, soups, or other culinary creations.
  • Carving and Culinary Delights: Utilize pumpkins for artistic jack-o'-lantern creations or to craft homemade pumpkin pies, soups, or purees.

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are not just a popular snack but also a treasure trove of possibilities for home gardeners. These versatile seeds offer a wide range of culinary, nutritional, and even decorative benefits. 

The Significance of Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds have played an essential role in human culture and cuisine for generations. They are derived from the inner part of the pumpkin, and their significance extends beyond their delicious taste:

  • Culinary Delights: Pumpkin seeds are a well-loved snack and ingredient enjoyed roasted, salted, or used in various recipes for their nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

  • Nutritional Powerhouse: These seeds are packed with essential nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

  • Decorative Uses: Pumpkin seeds can be used for creative and decorative purposes, whether for crafting, garnishing dishes, or enhancing the visual appeal of your garden.

Varieties of Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds come in various varieties, each offering unique flavors and characteristics:

  • Hulless Pumpkin Seeds: These seeds have a thin, edible shell, making them ideal for snacking and culinary use without the need for shelling.

  • Traditional Pumpkin Seeds: These seeds are enclosed in a thicker shell and are often used for planting and growing pumpkins.

Cultivating Pumpkin Seeds:

Growing pumpkin seeds in your garden can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Here are some key tips to consider:

  • Soil and Sun: Pumpkins thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with full sun exposure. Ensure your garden provides these conditions for optimal growth.

  • Planting Depth: Sow pumpkin seeds directly into the garden or raised beds, typically at a depth of one to two inches. You can also start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings after the last frost.

  • Spacing: Allow ample space between pumpkin plants, as they can spread widely. Generally, spacing of three to five feet between plants is recommended.

  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. Ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged, as this can lead to rot.

  • Fertilization: Pumpkin plants benefit from regular fertilization, especially with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label.

  • Maintenance: Monitor your pumpkin plants for signs of pests or diseases and take prompt action if necessary. Pruning can also help manage plant size and encourage fruit development.

Ways to Enjoy Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds offer a multitude of ways to indulge your taste buds and enhance your diet:

  • Roasted Snack: Roast pumpkin seeds with your favorite seasonings for a delicious and nutritious snack.

  • Culinary Additions: Use pumpkin seeds as toppings for salads, soups, and baked goods to add texture and flavor.

  • Nutrient Boost: Incorporate pumpkin seeds into your diet to benefit from their rich protein, healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients.

  • Decorative Touch: Use pumpkin seeds for crafting, decorating, or as a unique garnish for your culinary creations.

Pumpkin seeds are more than just a delightful snack; they are a source of inspiration for gardeners, chefs, and artisans. With their versatility, nutritional benefits, and culinary possibilities, pumpkin seeds enrich your garden, table, and creative pursuits. Whether you're savoring their flavor, enhancing your diet, or exploring their decorative potential, pumpkin seeds are a valuable and enjoyable addition to your home gardening experience.

Learn more about seed starting in your organic garden with our resource guide and buy everything you need with our Seed Starting Kit.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.