How to Save Tomato Seeds to Plant Next Year

Tomatoes are a beloved summer staple in gardens all over the world. When it comes to harvesting tomatoes, many gardeners wonder how they can save their seeds to plant the following year. Saving tomato seeds is a cost-effective and sustainable way to ensure that you can grow your favorite variety of tomato year after year. Here’s how to save tomato seeds to plant next year.

Choose the Right Tomatoes

Not all tomatoes are meant for seed saving. When selecting tomatoes from your garden, choose only the ripest and healthiest ones. Look for tomatoes that are free from any disease or damage. It’s also important to know whether the tomato variety is a hybrid or heirloom. Hybrid tomatoes are created by cross-pollinating two different varieties, resulting in genetically diverse offspring. Heirloom tomatoes, on the other hand, are the result of open-pollination, meaning their seeds will produce identical offspring. It is easier to save seeds from heirloom tomatoes.

Extract the Seeds

After you’ve chosen the right tomatoes, it’s time to extract the seeds. The easiest way to extract tomato seeds is by slicing the tomatoes horizontally and squeezing the seeds and juice out into a bowl. Once you’ve collected the seeds, transfer them to a mason jar and fill it with water. Water fermentation is a process that removes the gelatinous coating on the seeds, which can inhibit germination. It also helps to eliminate any potential fungal diseases that may have affected the seeds while still in the tomato.

Rinse and Dry

After a few days of fermentation, the viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the jar. Carefully pour off the water and debris, being careful not to lose any of the seeds. Rinse the seeds thoroughly in a fine-mesh colander to remove any remaining pulp or debris. Then, spread the seeds out on a paper towel to dry. It’s important to allow the seeds to dry completely before storing them. A good rule of thumb is to allow the seeds to air-dry for about two weeks in a well-ventilated area.

Store the Seeds

Once the seeds are completely dry, you can store them in a cool, dry place. The best way to store tomato seeds is in a paper envelope or paper bag. Label the envelope with the tomato variety and the date the seeds were saved. It’s important to store the seeds in a cool and dry place to preserve their viability. A good place to store the seeds is in a refrigerator or a cool basement. Stored properly, tomato seeds can remain viable for up to five years.

Overall, saving tomato seeds is a simple and cost-effective way to ensure that you can continue to grow your favorite varieties of tomatoes year after year. By following these simple steps, you can successfully save tomato seeds and give your garden a sustainable and self-sufficient boost.