Saving seeds from your favourite tomatoes

These tomatoes were grown from seeds saved from a tomato bought from a produce stand.

Growing tomatoes from seeds is certainly rewarding, especially when you’ve procured the seeds yourself. I was inspired to collect tomato seeds from a tasty cherry tomato bought from the grocery store. I had no idea what variety it was, so saving some of their seeds seemed like a good idea. It was a successful experiment and I have been harvesting their plentiful and tasty bounty ever since. 

Heirloom varieties will grow true from seed, however, hybrid tomatoes may not resemble the parent plant.

Parentage
Seeds from heirloom varieties will be the same as the parent plant, as they have not been bred with another tomato variety. However seeds from hybrids, where parents differ, their offspring will not grow up to be identical to their parents. This means that their seeds will have traits from both varieties of tomatoes. If you are not sure if the tomato is an heirloom variety, save the seeds anyway as it doesn’t hurt to experiment and you might be pleased with the results. 

Tomato seeds are protected by a jelly-like substance that prevents seeds from germinating.

The Process
Tomato seeds are surrounded by a jelly-like substance that inhibits them from germinating. To remove this substance, they need to be fermented. Fermentation also improves resistance to diseases and bacteria.

1. Select a very ripe tomato and cut it in the middle to expose the seeds.
2. Scoop out the seeds and place in a small bowl.
3. Add enough water to just cover the seeds.
4. After a few days mould will form and it will start to smell.
5. Dump the seeds into a fine meshed sieve and gently rinse.
6. Place the seeds on a plate to allow them to dry. Avoid using a paper towel as they are difficult to remove.
7. Allow the seeds to dry on the plate, mixing them up every few days to ensure all seeds are dry.
8. Once the seeds are dry, place them in an envelope or an airtight container.
9. Label and don’t forget to include the year. 

Soak tomato seeds in water and allow them to ferment to release the seeds from the jelly.

Dry seeds on a plate, not a paper towel as they stick to the paper and are difficult to remove.

Once mould forms place them in a sieve and gently rinse them.

Once seeds are dry, place them in an envelope and label them.