Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Heirloom tomatoes are tomatoes that have been handed down from generation to generation by saving the seeds. These tomatoes, like my chocolate cherry tomatoes, are prized for their exceptional flavor.


 Although  you can buy heirloom seeds from seed catalogs, many gardeners prefer to save their own.  Saving the seeds is easier than you might think.

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How to Save Tomato Seeds

• Allow the tomato to ripen fully. Immature seeds will not germinate.
  
• Remove the seeds from the tomato, with the gel that surrounds the seed attached.
• Place the seeds in a jar or bowl of tepid water.
• Stir the seeds everyday for approximately 5 days. Do not change the water. The fermentation process separates the seed from the gel.
• Drain the seeds when they have sunken to the bottom of the jar.
• Spread them on newspaper or paper towel to dry thoroughly.
• Store the dried seeds in an airtight container for the following year.
• Label the container with the type of tomato seed it contains.

                                                                                Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!