How to Save Tomato Seeds

As I was picking tomatoes earlier this summer, I came across a funny looking fruit that definitely was not one of the varieties I had planted. Ever on the lookout for something new, I decided I’d save the seeds, replant them next year, and see what happens. Who knows? Maybe I accidentally cross-bred some new variety that they’ll name after me someday.

With most plants, you just let the fruiting/flowering part mature and you can generally just pull out your bean or pepper or squash or whatever seeds. Tomatoes, because of all that jelly-goop-stuff, need a little more work, but nothing that you can’t do. To easily save tomato seeds, you’ll just need a jar and a couple days – the key is fermentation!

How to Save Tomato Seeds in Three Easy Steps!

1. First, cut the tomato in half (or slices, or chunks, or however you’re preparing it to eat). Scoop as many of the seeds as you can get into a small jar. The gel and maybe some meat may come along with the seeds, but that’s okay.
   – Cover the seed/gel mix with about an inch of water, and loosely cover the jar.
   – Let it sit for at least a few days, shaking or stirring a couple times each day. What’s happening now? The mix is fermenting – this process is what breaks down the gel surrounding the seeds!
   – Also, any seeds that are floating at this point can probably be discarded – they likely won’t be any good for germinating.
2. After the few days is up, pour the whole mess through a strainer, then rinse the seeds.
3. Dump the now clean seeds onto a paper towel or plate and let them dry for another couple days before storing them.

And that’s that. Now for the next time you find a weird hybrid in the garden (or just want to save fruit from an exceptional plant), you know exactly how to save tomato seeds!