Saving tomato seeds

Seed saving is becoming a popular pastime. A way to enjoy an especially exceptional tomato you may have come across & grow it for years to come. We can thank many people who saved the seeds of heritage varieties of tomato for had they not done so, these wonderful varieties may have disappeared only to be replaced with the multitude of tasteless varieties we have today.

So, if you come across a variety of tomato you enjoy & would like to grow here’s how to save the seeds.

• Choose the very best tomatoes on the plant to use.

• Cut open the tomato at the equator. It should be ripe, but not over ripe. Scoop out the seeds & the jelly like pulp that surrounds them & place in a plastic container or glass jar. A glass jar is preferable so you can check the progress through the glass. Don’t forget to label the container so you know what variety of seeds you are saving.

• Add around 2 inches of water to the container & mix.

• Place some paper towel over the top of the container & secure well. Place several holes in the top of the cling film to allow air flow.

• Place the container in a warm, out of the way spot.

• Leave the container for 2-3 days until the seeds begin to ferment. You will observe a mould forming on top of the liquid. Fermentation is necessary as it breaks down the gel that surrounds the seed. This gel stops the seed from germinating within the tomato.  Be warned, the container will be rather smelly at this point (hence why you should store it out of the way).

• Once the mould has formed, the process is complete. Pour off the mouldy water & place the seeds in a fine sieve. Rinse well in cold water.

• Spread the seeds out onto a thick layer of paper towel & set aside to dry.

• Store in a marked envelope in a cool, dry place.