Quick Answers
Scrape the seeds gently into labeled paper envelopes. Keep them dry and at a cool, consistent temperature. To keep the air dry, place envelopes in a tin or other covered container with silica gel crystals. Seeds can be stored for up to 5 years.
What You’ll Need
- Tomatoes
- Knife
- Glass jar
- Sieve
- Paper envelope
Instructions
- Step: Select a pair of healthy tomatoes and label them so you don’t select and consume them by accident. Pick the tomatoes off the plant when they are quite ripe.
- Step: Cut the tomatoes in half and dump the seeds into a small container of water. Set aside the jar for four to five days, after which a mould will have formed. This aids in the removal of the gelatinous covering on tomato seeds, which can inhibit germination.
- Step: After four or five days, strain the seeds through a sieve and thoroughly wash them with water to eliminate the mould.
- Step: Place the seeds on a piece of kitchen paper to dry. When the seeds have completely dried, put them in a paper envelope in a dark, cool area until spring. Make certain that they are clearly labeled.
How do I save tomato seeds from fresh tomatoes?
Cut the tomato in half, scoop or squeeze out the seeds, and put into a container labeled with the variety name. If you want to eat the rest of the tomato, set it aside. Add a small amount of water. Take the container out of the sun for 3 to 5 days.
Can you take seeds from a tomato and grow them?
Tomatoes have small seeds that will grow if they reach the soil. It’s easy to save seeds from tomato fruits so you can plant them when and where you want.
How do you save tomato seeds from one year to the next?
How do you dry tomato seeds for planting?
Some gardeners simply squeeze tomato seeds onto a paper towel, spread them out, and allow the towel to dry for a couple of weeks. The towel can be tucked into a labeled envelope and stored through the winter.
Do tomato seeds need to be dried before planting?
It’s not necessary to dry tomato seeds before planting. Tomatoes can grow even if they’re inside the fruit. It is possible to prevent diseases and pests from attacking wet seeds. Strained growth can be prevented by drying.
Should I soak tomato seeds before planting?
It is possible to increase the rate of successful germination by soaking your tomato seeds before planting, or by letting them grow on a damp paper towel.
Can I plant seeds from supermarket tomatoes?
Can I use the seeds from the tomatoes I buy in the supermarket to grow my own tomatoes? It might not be the best idea. Most tomatoes grown in supermarkets are developed from a cross between two different tomato lines.
How do I save my heirloom tomato seeds for next year?
Save heirloom tomato seeds by removing the seeds and their coating. Wait 4-5 days. Just seeds remain after rinsing away moldy gunk. For seven days, air dry seeds and flip them daily. Cool, dry place to store in labelled envelopes or containers.
Can I plant tomato seeds directly in the ground?
Can you plant tomato seeds in the ground? If you live in a warm climate with a long growing season, you can plant tomato seeds directly in the ground. You should start tomato seeds indoors in colder climates.
Can you save tomato seeds without fermenting?
If you’re short on time, this is the best way to save tomato seeds. The only thing you have to do is slice your tomato open and squeeze out the seeds with a paper towel. They should be dry on a paper towel.
Can you freeze tomato seeds?
Tomatoes can last for several years when stored correctly. Before opening the container, let them come to room temperature in the refrigerator or freezer.
How long does it take tomatoes to grow from seed?
Tomatoes can take up to 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety. Due to their relatively long growing season requirements, most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather warms up in spring.
When should I plant tomato seeds?
If you’re growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, you should sow your tomato seeds in March or April. Good quality seed compost is the place to sprinkle the seed. Place 1.5mm of compost and water in a fine-rose watering can.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors?
Tomatoes are best sown indoors about six weeks before the last frost date. Contact your Master Gardener program if you want to know your last frost date.
How do I save seeds from my garden?
Store seeds in tightly sealed containers. You can store different kinds of seeds in a large container. Cool the seeds and keep them dry. It’s a good idea to store seeds in your refrigerator at a temperature between 32 and 41F.
