Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Since the beginning of the first agricultural revolution, man has saved seeds. Man has come a long way since then. Over the past 10,000 years, we've developed countless varieties of vegetables and grains to sustain us. One of these vegetables is the tomato. The garden wouldn't be the same without this productive plant. In fact, our summers might be a little less flavorful without them. Our heirloom tomatoes are our prize for so many years of development.

An heirloom, a plant that has grown for more than fifty years, is open-pollinated. This means that we can save the seeds from these plants and grow an identical strain the next year, if we take proper care in saving these genes. Hybrid seeds will not produce the same plant year after year, so it's important to know how to save these heirloom types of seeds.

To start, look for the most productive plant with the largest and most flavorful fruit, as well as the one with the most drought and disease resistance. The plant can be marked with a ribbon to keep yourself and others from picking the fruit. Leave the tomatoes you'll be using for seed until they are just over-ripe but not rotten. This will ensure that the seeds are mature and developed.

Next, take the tomato and cut it in half. Spoon out the gel and seeds onto a paper towel. Put the seeds and gel into a jar and fill it about halfway with water. Cover the jar loosely and let it set for three to five days. Remember to stir the contents of the jar daily to keep the scum from building up on the surface of the water. The seeds will ferment in that time making it easier to get rid of the gel. All the bad seeds, as well as the membrane will float to the top. All the good seed should sink to the bottom. The fermentation will be a bit smelly, but this is natural.

After fermentation, pour the contents of the jar into a sieve and wash the seeds well, removing anything that is not a seed. Once the seeds have been washed and strained, lay them out on a piece of newspaper to dry for a few days. When the seeds no longer stick to each other or the newspaper, they are ready for storage. Put these seeds in an airtight container and store them in a cool area. Wait until next spring to plant and keep up this cycle of saving the best fruit from the best plants.

Over time, you're plants will become accustomed to your climate and soil conditions, and they will actually exceed your expectations of growth. These types of seeds can be passed down from generation to generation, making them a true family heirloom.