How to Keep Tomato Seeds for Planting Next Year

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in home gardens. They are easy to grow and provide a delicious addition to meals. If you want to continue growing tomatoes in your garden, it's essential to save the seeds of the previous tomato crop for planting next year. Here are some tips on how to keep tomato seeds for planting next year.

Choose the Best Tomatoes

Before you start saving tomato seeds, it's essential to choose the best, high-quality tomatoes for seed saving. Select tomatoes that are healthy, ripe, and have the best characteristics that you would like to replicate in the next crop. Choose tomatoes that are open-pollinated rather than hybrids as open-pollinated ones will produce offspring that are similar to the parent plant.

Extract the Seeds

To extract the seeds, cut open the ripe tomato and scoop out the seeds along with the surrounding pulp. Place the seeds and pulp in a jar and let it sit for about three days. The mixture will start to ferment, breaking down the pulp surrounding the seeds. Stir the mixture once a day to prevent mold from growing.

Clean the Seeds

After three days, add water to the jar and stir the mixture. The good seeds will sink to the bottom, and the pulp and bad seeds will float to the top. Pour off the pulp and bad seeds, leaving the good seeds at the bottom of the jar. Rinse the good seeds with clean water and dry them thoroughly. Spread the seeds out on a paper towel and let them dry for a week.

Store the Seeds

Once the tomato seeds are dry, they are ready for storage. Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It would be best if you used an envelope, small jar or plastic bag with tiny holes to allow some air to pass through. Label the container with the tomato variety, date of collection, and any other relevant information.

Conclusion

With these simple steps, you can easily save tomato seeds for planting next year. Remember to choose the best tomatoes, extract the seeds, clean them, and store them correctly in a cool and dry place. Saving tomato seeds not only helps you save money on buying new seeds but also ensures that you can continue to grow your favorite tomato varieties in your garden year after year.