How to save tomato seed

in Home : Projects: Fruit and vegetables

You will need

  • Tomatoes
  • Knife
  • Glass jar
  • Sieve
  • Paper envelope
Do it: August - October
Takes just: 1 hour

Project categories

Overview

Saving seed from your favourite tomatoes is a simple process and could save you money on buying seeds next year. If you grow more than one variety it's likely bees will have cross-pollinated them, so you could be growing your own brand new variety of tomato.

Choose open-pollinated tomato varieties (not F1 varieties as they may not come 'true'). It's also a good idea to save heritage, or rare varieties of tomato in this way, to preserve the seed for future generations.

How to do it

Choosing healthy tomatoes

1Choose a couple of healthy tomatoes and mark them with a tag, so you don't pick and eat them by accident.

Cutting open the tomato

2When the tomatoes are very ripe, pick them off the plant and cut into them over a plate.

Scraping out tomato seeds

3Scrape the tomato seeds out into a glass jar and discard the flesh. Cover the seeds with water.

Glass jar containing tomato seeds and water

4A mould will develop after about four of five days. This helps to remove the gelatinous coating on the tomato seed, which can prevent germination.

Draining and rinsing the seeds

5Pour the seeds into a sieve and wash thoroughly with water to remove the mould. Arrange them on a plate or piece of kitchen roll to dry.

Tipping the seed into an envelope

6Once the seeds have dried out, store them in a paper envelope in a dark, cool place until spring. Make sure they are clearly labelled.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to save tomato seed
Your comment will appear after a quick registration step

casperdeum 24/11/2011 at 15:29

We have a mushroom-type fungus growing in our raised potato bed. Obviously I know not to touch them but will the adjoining potatoes be alright to eat? Please advise with thanks

Dom:) 07/04/2012 at 16:26

*Quick Tip for Saving Tomato Seed*
Once the mould has been washed off, you should place the seeds in a glass jar with water in for five minutes; the seeds that float will not have enough nutrients to germinate and the seeds that sink will be good to packet. Ensure that they are completely dry before you do this though, as if they are all saturated to the core then even the bad seeds will sink.