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how to save tomato seeds and store them
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How to Save Tomato Seeds and Store Them

Learn how to save tomato seeds – it’s so easy! – and watch as your tomato plants improve year after year!  Stored properly they will last you for several years to come.
Author: Kimberly Killebrew

Instructions

  • Step 1: Remove the Seeds:  Select very ripe tomatoes and wash them.  Slice the tomatoes in half and squeeze the seeds and juices into a glass jar.  BE SURE TO LABEL THE JARS WITH THE VARIETY OF TOMATOES.  If you have plenty of tomato juice in the jar with the seeds there is no need to add any extra water; otherwise add a little non-chlorinated water.  Remove as many of the big chunks of pulp as you can.  To prevent fruit flies or other things from falling into the jar, cover the jar with some cheesecloth or a napkin and rubber band.
  • Step 2: Ferment the Seeds:  Let the jars sit at room temperature (ideally between 70 to 80 degrees F) for 1-2 days to let them ferment (if the room temperature is cool it may take an extra day or two.  Swish the seeds around in the jar a time or two each day.  The seeds are ready when the top layer has begun to develop a very slight film on the top and the seeds have sunk to the bottom of the jar (don't over-ferment; see blog post section titled "How Long Do Seeds Have to Ferment?").
  • Step 3: Rinse the Seeds:  Pour off the top layer along with the pulp and any seeds that have floated to the top.  Pour the remaining liquid and the seeds at the bottom of the jar into a fine mesh strainer.   Rinse the seeds thoroughly, swishing them around constantly to help remove as much of the remaining gel sacs as possible.
  • Step 4: Dry the Seeds:  Shake and tap the strainer a few times to remove excess water and dump the seeds onto a paper towel to remove more water.  Do not let the seeds dry on the paper towels or they will stick to them.  Immediately shake the seeds onto a tray or plate (paper plates work well or a tray lined with parchment paper) to dry.  BE SURE TO LABEL THE JARS WITH THE VARIETY OF TOMATOES.  Once they start to dry use your fingers to crumble the seeds each day to break them up and prevent them from clumping together.
  • Step 5: Store the Seeds: Scrape the seeds into paper envelopes or plastic ziplock bags.  To ensure the seeds remain dry you can add a small packet of  silica gel crystals.  Store the seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.  Refrigerating them is not necessary but that will ensure these conditions to enable your seeds to last the longest (that's if you need them to last beyond a year or two).  Do NOT store seeds in the crisper drawers in the fridge.
    If the process of saving and storing seeds is followed correctly, tomato seeds can last for 4 years, sometimes longer.  People have reported successfully germinating tomato seeds after 10 years!