A reader writes in with a question.

We dried the seeds from an acorn squash on a paper plate. Can we plant these in our garden as they are, or do we need to do something else to them? How do we store them before we plant them? Thanks for your help

Great question!

Here is a general video about seed saving.

Once they are prepared, you would just follow the regular instructions for starting squash from seed.

I also checked with the International Seed Saving Institute, which has instructions for saving a huge variety of vegetables, including squash.

They say that only fully mature seeds from squash will actually grow.

But I say go ahead and try it, even if you think your squash might not have fully matured. Worst case scenario, they won’t sprout.