How To Save Tomato Seeds

Some gardeners simply squeeze tomato seeds onto a paper towel, spread them out a bit, and allow the towel to dry for a couple of weeks. When dry, the seed-bearing towel can be folded up and tucked into a labeled envelope for storage through winter.

How do I save tomato seeds from fresh tomatoes?
How do I save seeds for next year?
How do you save tomato seeds without fermenting?
Can you save seeds from store bought tomatoes?
Should I soak tomato seeds before planting?
Can I plant fresh tomato seeds?
Why is saving seeds illegal?
Can I store seeds in Ziploc bags?
How long can you save seeds?
How do I save my heirloom tomato seeds?
Do I need to ferment tomato seeds?
How long does it take for tomato seeds to germinate in paper towel?

How do I save tomato seeds from fresh tomatoes?

When it comes to fleshy seed, however, such as tomatoes, Jerry says there are two ways of saving seed. A traditional method is to soak the pulp in water overnight to allow it to ferment. This removes the natural germination inhibitors and, after washing and straining through a sieve, the seed can be dried and stored.

How do I save seeds for next year?

Keeping your saved seeds

Store seeds in tightly sealed glass containers. You can store different kinds of seeds, each in individual paper packets, together in a large container. Keep seeds dry and cool. A temperature between 32° and 41°F is ideal, so your refrigerator can be a good place to store seeds.

How do you save tomato seeds without fermenting?

For me, the easiest way to save tomato seeds is to scrape them out of the fruit and on a paper towel. Afterwards I spread them out to create space for the eventual seedlings to grow. Let the seeds dry completely then fold the paper up and store it in an envelope with your notes written on the front.

Can you save seeds from store bought tomatoes?

Most ordinary tomatoes you buy from the supermarket are not suitable for seed saving, because they are F1 hybrids. ... While you can simply scoop out the seeds and spread them on a piece of paper to dry, fermenting them is easy and means you end up with cleaner seeds that are handier to store and trade with others.

Should I soak tomato seeds before planting?

Simply soak seeds in warm water the night before you'll be planting them to soften the hull of the seeds and help the sprout break the seal. ... To germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel, moisten a single paper towel so that it's damp but not soaked.

Can I plant fresh tomato seeds?

Planting seeds from fresh tomatoes is no harder than planting store-bought seeds. Remove the seeds from a ripe tomato and soak them for 14 hours in tepid water. Dry them on a paper towel and plan to plant them within seven days.

Why is saving seeds illegal?

Farmers who choose to grow genetically modified (GM, or GMO) seed sign a contract stating that they will not save their seed to grow next year. GMO seed is protected under intellectual property laws. To save this seed to plant again the next year will violate a contract and is illegal under Intellectual Property law.

Can I store seeds in Ziploc bags?

Seed should be kept in a paper bag or envelope. Never store seed in a plastic bag or air tight container. The moisture trapped will cause the seed to mold and ruin the sample. The bag should always be kept in a dry place.

How long can you save seeds?

To keep the seeds cool (ideally, below 50 degrees), some people store them in a jar in their refrigerator or freezer. Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years.

How do I save my heirloom tomato seeds?

Spread the washed seeds thinly over coffee filters or paper plates to dry. Do not dry your seeds on paper towel or news paper as the seeds will stick to the paper when dry. Keep seeds out of direct sunlight and allow up to four weeks for seeds to dry fully. And remember - label everything each step of the way.

Do I need to ferment tomato seeds?

Do you need to ferment tomato seeds to make them viable? In case you're wondering, no, you don't need to ferment tomato seeds. Non-fermented seeds have sprouted just fine for me… and they also have not.

How long does it take for tomato seeds to germinate in paper towel?

Unroll the paper towel gently a few times a day to look for the signs of germination. You'll be able to see the root sprouting out of the germinated seeds. Some seeds germinate as quickly as 24 to 48 hours, while others can take 10 to 14 days.