Fermenting Tomato Seeds
…no, no…not for the trendiest new beverage but a method to save seeds from this season’s most prized tomatoes…Or if you happened to pick up a delicious heirloom from the farmer’s market.
What better way to move towards sustainable gardening than to save your own seeds. Another plus is that as you save seeds from the best of the best in your garden you will be selecting the best for the micro climate in your garden. In a sense, you will be developing your own micro variety…in 50 years it will be your very own heirloom!
There are many methods for preparing your seeds from tomatoes but the most widely used method is the fermentation method.
Why bother with fermentation?
The fermentation of the tomato seed will aid in removing the gel sack around each seed
but more importantly – reduce the chances of seed bourne diseases and enhance germination.
Choose the right tomato
First, you must choose an open pollinated tomato or non-hybrid variety – most heirlooms fit the bill. If you don’t, this is what will happen
Second, pick the tastiest, largest heirloom tomato from your most healthy plant. (Of course, if it is a small variety pick the largest of these small fruit)
Saving your tomato seeds with the fermentation method
- Find a cup or recycled deli or yogurt containers. Mark on the container the variety of tomato.
- Take your tomato and cut in half across the ‘equator’
- Squeeze out the seeds as if you were squeezing a lemon into your container. If you don’t want to mangle your tomato you can dig out the seeds with the tip of a knife or small spoon.
- Add enough water to cover the seeds by about 1/2 an inch
- Loosely cover the top and place in a warm spot (70-80F) for a week
- Scoop off the moldy scum that has formed on the top and pour the seeds into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse with cold water.
- Shake off the excess water by tapping the bottom of the strainer on a dish towel.
- Invert the seeds onto a piece of waxed paper that has been labeled with the variety name. Don’t worry about spreading the seeds out too much as they will easily separate when dry.
- Let dry for at least 4-5 days.
- Store in a paper envelope labeled with the variety name and date.
Save to plant in the spring. These seeds should last quite a few years though the germination rate will decrease as the seeds age.
With the holidays coming up, seeds make nifty gifts for your gardening friends.
No related posts.
