Saving and Planting Butternut Squash Seeds

You can save seeds from a store-bought butternut, but the resulting fruit may vary if cross-pollination occurred with other Cucurbita moschata varieties. For a fun experiment, dry seeds thoroughly, store in a paper envelope in the refrigerator, and plant in late April in a sunny spot. You'll get edible squash—possibly with unique shapes or flavors. If you want true-to-type butternuts, buy certified seed. Either way, it's a low-risk, high-reward garden project.