Do you have a favorite tomato growing in your garden? Do you want to make sure that you can grow that delicious tomato every year? If you are willing to give a little time and effort (and love) you can save seeds from your favorite tomatoes to grow for the next season.
Here is how!
First - Select your tomatoes.
- Make sure they are ripe and healthy.
- Avoid hybrid tomatoes since they are intentionally mixed and your new tomatoes will not be identical to the parent.
- Pick several tomatoes of each variety you would like to save. While one tomato has plenty of seeds, it is good to get a mix of seeds to maintain good genetic diversity.
Next - Cut the tomato across the middle.
- Gently squeeze or scoop out the seeds and gel into a clean glass jar or bowl.
- Add a little water
- Don’t forget label the jar with the tomato variety.
- Cover loosely with a lid or paper towel and let it sit at room temperature for 2 to 4 days.
- Stir once daily and change the water once or twice.
You may notice bubbling, a slight smell, and a layer of mold forming — that’s normal! After a few days rinse and repeat until any mold is removed from the seeds and the water is clear.
Each tomato seed is surrounded by a gel sac that contains growth inhibitors. This must be removed for good germination. Do your best to remove the gel around the seeds. This will be your biggest challenge.
Once you feel that the seeds are clean, pour off the water. Seeds that are floating on top of the water are not good and should be discarded. The good seeds will sink to the bottom.
Spread the seeds on a paper plate. Do not use a paper towel as the seeds will stick. Stir them to prevent clumping and to speed up the drying process. When the seeds are completely dry store them in a labeled paper envelope in a dry cool place.
I start the planting my seeds indoors in January. You will have best results if you use a heating pad and lamp when starting your seeds. It takes a lot of attention and love but I keep my seeds indoors until March. I harden off my plants by putting them in a greenhouse for a few weeks and plant them at the end of March. In the summer I am rewarded with delicious tomatoes!
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Written by UC Master Gardener/UC Master Food Preserver Sue Bohigian.