How to Save Your Own Tomato Seeds

You can scoop and save tomato seeds for next year.

If you grow a perfect tomato or find a lovely heirloom tomato at the farmers market, you can keep the seeds and grow them the next year. Make one tomato equal hundreds by saving your own tomato seeds.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-mesh sieve
• Paper envelopes
• Marker

Instructions

1. Cut the tomato in half crossways. Scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon and put it in a glass. Add a bit of water and give it a stir.

2. Cover the top of the glass with plastic wrap. Put a small hole in it to promote airflow to help the pulp ferment. Place the glass on top of the fridge or in a sunny window for two to three days, stirring the mixture daily. The top of the water looks scummy as the fermentation process acts on the seeds to prevent seed-borne disease.

3. Scoop the scum off with a spoon and discard it on the third day. Dump the remaining material in a fine-meshed sieve.

4. Rinse the seeds and pulp carefully, stirring with your finger to remove any bits of pulp that may still be attached. Tap the sieve against the sink a couple times to help get rid of water.

5. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a paper plate. Set them somewhere safe, such as an unused cupboard area. Stir the seeds around every day and spread them out in a single layer. Allow them to dry for about a week.

6. Place the seeds when completely dry in paper envelopes labeled with the type of tomato and date.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are doing more than one kind of tomato, make sure to label them!

• Utilize the internet for sowing and growing instructions, there are different ones for different tomatoes!

References

• Oregon State University: How to Save Seeds from Your Garden Favorites
• University of Minnesota Extension: Saving Vegetables Seeds: Tomatoes, Peppers, Peas and Beans