How to Propagate Tomato Seeds

The seeds inside a tomato are easy to see.

One way to ensure you grow the same successful variety of tomato plant year after year is to propagate the tomato plant from seeds. While some gardeners prefer to take cuttings from an established tomato plant, propagating with seeds allows you to store your seeds for planting later---rather than having to immediately start a new plant. As you collect the seeds, always use clean hands and clean materials to keep the seeds as healthy as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Bowl
• Mesh strainer
• Water
• Paper towel
• Seed packet
• Pencil
• Seed tray
• Seed starting mix

Instructions

1. Select a large, healthy tomato for seed collection. Make sure to not use a hybrid variety, for a greater potential to grow large tomatoes. Cut open the tomato over a bowl, and scoop the juices and seeds inside into the bowl.

2. Pour the seeds into a mesh strainer and rinse well with a slow flow of water to remove any sticky or tacky feeling from the outside of the seeds. Once the pulp has washed away and the seeds are clean, allow any excess water to drip off before spreading the seeds out on a paper towel.

3. Set the paper towel in a warm, dry room of your house with good ventilation and allow to dry for the two to three weeks. Adjust the seeds as needed to spread them into a single layer. Check on the seeds every couple days to see that the outside of the seeds have become hard, almost leathery, and they appear dry and lightweight.

4. Collect the dried seeds together in a seed packet and label it with the type of tomatoes they will grow and the date you are storing them. Keep the seed packet in a cool, dry area of your home. When stored properly, good seeds should be viable and able to germinate for three to five years.

5. Plant your seeds 1/2 inch deep into a seed tray filled with clean seed starting mix. Add only enough water to moisten the soil, and keep it moist as the seeds sprout. Typically you'll want to start seeds six to eight weeks before the last spring frost in your area so your seedlings are ready for transplant outdoors when the weather is warm enough.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are propagating multiple varieties of tomato plants on the same day, then be sure to work with one variety at a time, washing your hands and tools between varieties so the seeds don't get mixed together.

References

• "Success with Seeds"; Chris Wheeler and Valerie Wheeler; 2004
• "Seed Sowing and Saving"; Carole B. Turner; 1998