Saving Tomato Seeds

Saving your own tomato seeds is not only frugal and easy, its also a great way to preserve the varieties that do well in your particular climate.

First select the varieties you want to save. It is best to choose only heirloom or open pollinated varieties. Hybrids don't bear true to seed so the desirable traits in the parent plant won't be passed on to the seeds. Although, if you are the adventurous type and you have the space it can be fun and interesting to see what comes of hybrid seed.

Choose the best, fully ripe fruit of the variety you have selected. Turn the tomato bottom up. Many tomato varieties have a four to ten pointed star in the bottom and if you cut along one of the lines the seeds are exposed and easier to remove.

   

Cut open the tomato exposing the seeds

Using a clean finger or small spoon scrape the seeds and gel out of the tomato into a small bowl or cup

Pour in enough water to cover the seeds

Stir

thoroughly

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and poke a hole or two in the top with a tooth pick for air circulation

Place in a warm location, a sunny window sill works, and let sit for two to three days stirring once a day. A scum will develop on the surface but don't be alarmed, this is just the fermentation process and is necessary to break down the pulp and gel surrounding the seeds. Do not let sit longer than 3 days as mold could develop. If you see mold, throw out the seeds and start over

Place seeds and gel in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly, rubbing away the solids



Place seeds on a piece of wax paper or paper towels to dry

When thoroughly dry, Put seeds in a small paper envelope labeled with the variety and year harvested. Store in a cool, dry place