How to Save Tomato Seeds

[@csenior10]

Thank you for making short, sweet and to the point without 20 minutes of nonsense like most of the other videos. I don’t need a science lesson about how tomatoes come to be 😂. Great video!

[@WatchfulHunter]

I have 45 tomato plants growing in my garden. 7 growing next to my garage. And one growing next to my brick walkway. I did not plant any of them. After you grow your first crop of tomatoes, let a few fall to the ground, and you don't have to worry about saving seeds. Just pick a tomato like an animal, bite it like a savage and let the seeds roll off your bare chest on to the ground. Nature rocks.

[@KeithOutWest]

My tomatoes grow wild outside my cave entrance. I mulch them with my chest hair.

[@castleofcostamesa8291]

F-150 HAHAHA!!! Awesome!!

[@garycates9911]

Wish I had chest hair.

[@wesleybullock814]

Lol... Nice

[@tinasearcy4684]

You are all so funny haha

[@lorrismith7366]

Wow! Watching 5 yrs later. Today i checked my tomato seeds and discovered the mold. I thought it was bad and THREW THEM AWAY!! I wish I would of watched this sooner. Back to the drawing board! Thanks God Bless!

[@joyceoechsli4180]

I watched your video last year and used your method to save Beefsteak, Mr Stripey, and Roma. Had 20 plants of each for myself and family

[@julieschossow9315]

I've been saving my seeds the same way for years. Works great and never a fail.

[@dennislock3415]

Never knew about the fermenting part,I'll have to do it this way now.

[@garyluker623]

Excellent video! I like how you explain what you do in each step and why you do it! You're an excellent teacher, thank you!

[@dakotamercer3426]

Excellent

[@michaelbrown459]

I use the same method. This year's planting are from seeds harvested in 2010 and 2014. Right now in April 1st., 2024 [ no trickery], they are 30" high with blossoms. Nothing more than kept in paper envelops, under normal refrigeration. I have a 25' ladder made our of wire fence tubes, neighbors call them tomato trees; indeed, growing higher than the house roof top. Chow! Yeah I can prove it. Rungs - treated 2"x 4" diag. holes.

[@jackdula2459]

my grandmother use to get the seeds and jel out onto newspaper lay that out in the sun durning the day and bring them into the porch durning the night and after about a week she would move them onto the cabinet top on the back porch she also dried them out on newspaper in the shade of the back porch durning the summer which took her about two weeks she did about all of her seeds that way

[@roberthasili1447]

Watched this video again as my cherokee tomatoes have ripened and preparing seeds for next year. Thanks just waiting on Rutgers variety to ripen then start process again.

[@GODnGUTSnGUNS]

Great video , but I have found that through years of saving heirloom seeds, that after you rinse the pulp off, of your seeds in the strainer, it is much more effective to put the seeds back into a container of water. Let them sit in the container for about 15 minutes, then you will see some of the seeds floating, as well as some of them floating between the top and bottom of the container . You must discard all of them. Only keep the ones that have stayed in the bottom. My germination rate has been incredible since doing this for years . 100 percent germination rate is usually unheard of , but I have been getting it for several years, by using this method of elimination of seed separation. Best of luck to everyone.

[@lapismosi8065]

I'm starting my "Seed Journey" as in investing in heirloom varieties, and this was PERFECT. Note: The "Off Grid" with Jim and Stacy method actually seemed more difficult to me. Who has room for slices in pots, especially to be kept in the dark for a year? I just see it as a sloppy, space consuming process. Your method comes together in about a week, identification is maintained, and storage is compact and tidy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge - this was EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!💚🍅🐝🥒🌱🌻❤️🧡‼️

[@ekhoromeo]

Great video! Gardening is a passion of mine, I never gave thought to save tomato seed, but now... Im totally on board!

[@jerryburwick3433]

I live in East Texas. Thank You for helping me. God Bless-Jerry M

[@matthewirving8480]

Thank you deep south Homestead for showing me how to save seeds once again in life I never thought I would be able to see someone do this again but I did thank you

[@citizen8933]

Thank you so much for this video. This is the first year I have grown tomatoes. Will do this to save seeds. Cheers.

[@AcornHillHomestead]

Very thorough. This was so helpful. I will be saving quite a bit of seed from now on now. I bought mostly heirlooms this year so I could do just that. Gotta save where we can 😉. Thank you so much for this!

[@jasonjjj27]

Thank you, I'm new at planting and I'm trying to cycle between colder and warmer plants for the seasons and my goal is to never have to buy seeds again. :) this is a big help.

[@lukedawg357SIG]

Thank you for this video take care Happy 4th!

[@teresathomley3703]

Brilliant, Mr. Danny. Thank you from Tuscaloosa, AL.

[@cuadtigers1]

I Use parchment paper and they don’t stick as bad.

[@gailpengelly8581]

Virginia Stith me too.x

[@mikehat1949]

Thanka for the excellent demonstration video. I wish that I had paid more attention to my grandparents growing up since they were self sustained.

[@judytooley6181]

I had to laugh when I saw this. My kids who are adults now laughed at me for doing this. ( saving seeds) Their joke was “ better not let mom catch you throwing that seed away! You know she saves them all..... she may never plant them..... but you better save them for her anyway!!!!” Now they are beginning to learn why I did it! And, yes! Be sure they are completely dry before packaging them..... so that they won’t get moldy, or rot! Keep up the good work of teaching people! Thank you.

[@JR-zm2yu]

😂👍👍💜🙏

[@jeffcraig5462]

Where does everyone then store their seed packages? I keep mine in our spare fridge.

[@JR-zm2yu]

jeff craig I haven't used this method yet. I keep seeds, but not in fridge - no need if they've been dried. I also have experimented by simply toss over-ripened on to the dirt outside my window at one end of the house... 17 tomato planta 1 year, just watered once they grew.. 5 papays trees.. 2 avocado trees etc ... I had also done a raised bed about 4 yrs ago that i need to replace, so in the meantime, i had taken a rotting pumpkin and tossed it on there & also cantaloupe... They were thriving ... But, i blinked & bugs ate the leaves ... Magically, about 5 yrs ago, birds must have dropped seeds via their poop & i had a 12ft squash plants growing across my front lawn - great conversations w/passers by ... They flowered, but didn't produce the squash -the flowers are also edible & considered a delicacy ...Bottom line: you'll get a more bountiful & organized garden if you plant the seeds individually & tend to the garden, but if no means to do that, don't through rotten/bruised or over-ripened veg/fruit away - toss them in a garden plot, or make a compost w/them.😊👍👍💜🙏

[@aliceharp4759]

@@JR-zm2yu lol

[@sinisterfoxy]

@@JR-zm2yu that’s amazing!

[@wilmahughes6175]

Thank you for the seed saving video Danny. I've recently retired and finally have time to do more money saving things with my gardening. In the past, I've saved seeds from many other veggies, like my pepper plants, herbs, etc, but never tomatoes. Now that I've watched how it's suppose to be done I'll give it a go. Thanks you very much!

[@thomspengler1635]

Thanks Danny, I’ve got a couple tricks to add: I see you use masking tape to mark the soaking jar - If you stick that to your face a couple times before sticking to the jar it won’t be as sticky, which will make it easy to peel off the jar and then affix to the paper towel. It eliminates messing with a sharpie with wet hands. I can attest to the importance of labeling (YOU WILL FORGET.) You can also throw a few grains of rice in the zip lock bag to act as a desiccant, keeping them dryer so they last a few more years, and much cheaper than those paper desiccant packs. As far as what seeds to save, any OP (Open Pollenated) or Heirloom fruits will breed true to the single parent plant. Hybrid seeds (labeled F1, F2, GMO) have two completely different parents and they will not give the same fruit true to the fruit they were harvested from. It doesn’t matter if it’s “ORGANIC” or not, as long as it’s healthy.

[@Wonderland_Homestead]

Thom Spengler thank you!

[@iroznewr]

That was awesome advice. Tks.

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

Great advice, Thank You!

[@MarcoPolo-ft2iq]

I use painters green Frog tape, which is not as sticky as regular masking tape

[@brownsbounty]

That's exactly how I've been doing it. I learned it years ago watching Martha Stewart explain it the same way...go figure. I found 2 Tomato seed packs I did in 2014 this year, and planted them in a flat. They all germinated wonderfully. (That's 6 years old.) I di dry mine directly on a plate and find they come up easier. Thanks for all your inspiration. I especially was moved by you "don't give up on your dream" video.

[@alicesmith7913]

Excellent video, very informative and right to the point. No click-bait here y'all, the video is exactly as described in description! I have been saving all kinds of seeds for years now and it's not only a way to save $ but if you enjoyed a certain type of veggies, you can save the seeds and have some next year.

[@lisabooker6405]

Great video Danny. Very clear. I've missed seeing you guys on here everyday since my surgery. I have therapy every single day and nurse visits. (They all come to the house) It wears me out! The healing is coming along nicely. Prayers are greatly appreciated. I'll get caught up on videos! Thanks for sharing and all you do. God Bless you. Love and hugs, Lisa

[@gracie3174]

🙏🙏🙏

[@davidschmidt270]

Just wanted to tell you that I have successfully been using your method and couldn't be any happier than if I was a pig in mud...thank you Sir👏👏👏👏👍💯🎉

[@kathywebster9678]

Very well presented, we are saving seed this year, I didn't know about letting them sit til the mold grew...makes sense to me! Thanks for all you guys do to help us all scoot along.

[@angelacahill9460]

You're a great teacher, very thorough and patient. Thank you!

[@susanmitchell8339]

Thank you for the information. I never knew you had to do all this? I just put my seeds on paper towel, they dry and I plant them every year this way and they grow fabulous

[@TopAnchorQuiltingTools]

What are the chances? LOL!!! You demonstrated saving seeds from the only two tomatoes I grow every year - Amish Paste and Yellow Pear, and the kicker is that your video was published on my birthday July 13. Gotta love it! Loved your video and will be binge watching the rest for a while. I'm glad I discovered your channel today. Thanks for the great info!

[@demilpraz]

Thank you! My seeds are drying on a plate now.

[@tillisross2246]

Thank you for listening to God’s calling and sharing your knowledge

[@GrammaRosesHomestead]

Excellent video, Danny. That's exactly how I save tomato seeds up to the point of pouring off the liquid and adding water to the seeds. I actually use changes of water and pour off the liquid at the top after the seeds have floated to the bottom but before everything else has. Dead and immature seeds will float, so I continue to discard floaters and stuff that is not seeds until I shake the seeds in the water and the water is clear. The only other difference is that I use paper envelopes. The length of time you are drying your seed ensures yours are bone dry, and plastic is ok, but for people not quite as patient as you, paper breathes and any seeds not perfectly dry at the time they are stored will continue to dry in a paper envelope.

[@janiceseigler6317]

Gramma Roses's Homestead: I process my tomato seeds exactly like you process yours. Been doing it this way for many many years. Works like a charm!

[@georgegobble]

I do my seeds like you throwing away the floaters ...that leaves me with all good seeds.

[@womanoftheozarks]

I do like Danny .... I haven't the water to keep pouring off. Have to be vry frugal ...

[@brusselsprout5851]

Excellent. Precise and to the point, without a lot of bru ha ha. Thank you.

[@brusselsprout5851]

Just started this process with a great tomato whose renegade plant came up the garden. 🍅

[@learntocrochet1]

This is the best tomato (gel coated) seed saving instruction. Detailed, step by step, can see what you're doing. I also appreciate that you explain why. This is the next best thing to learning in person.

[@florencekirk9021]

I know that this is an old video, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this information. Now I can harvest all my seeds from my garden this year with confidence. Much love from Utah.

[@sharonhartzog2074]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. IT IS EXACTLY THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION ON HOW TO SAVE SEEDS FROM OUR TOMATOES. WOULD LOVE HOW TO SAVE OTHER SEEDS.

[@Lisaairbnb]

He said the exact same way as this :)

[@lochness3224]

A very clear and very easy to understand video... Thank you Danny & Wanda

[@doomsdaymonster7]

Hi, Southern American Human. We live very different lives and the best part? I learned how to grow my favorite veggie from you. Thank you :) Will try this in NYC on my windowsill!

[@mariegnerre4295]

thankyou, Marie and Gino, from the North. hugs

[@welchfarmnc]

One of the best teaching channels on KZbin thanks

[@jillclark1744]

I have always wondered how to save cucumber seeds. Thanks for sharing.

[@Sweet87671]

Thank you for your time amd sharing your knowledge. This is my 1st year planting and harvesting tomatoes. Your video is excellent!

[@barbiejw2012]

Love how thorough you are in giving step by step instructions, leaving nothing out. This is super important for novice seed stores like myself. I've seen several other videos, but none have addressed the longer term viability of the seeds. It's important to know how many years seeds might be expected to be viable. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience. Much appreciated.

[@scotthansel3703]

Thanks Danny for showing me how to save tomato seed.

[@conniejenson6797]

Deep South HomeStead Thanks for going through that "saving tomato seeds' That was very interesting. I'm going to try that. Awesome!°😊😊😊😊

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

I love homegrown tomatos, nothing tastes better then some fresh toast with mayo, hot sauce and thick fresh ripe backyard heirloom tomato slices. It's like tastebuds heaven.

[@jlnriddick]

Thanks so much for taking the time to show how to save your tomato seeds. I came looking because I wasn't sure what to do about the membrane surrounding all my seeds. I didn't realize there were other important steps to having viable seeds. Thanks for the clear explanation, and for sharing your hard earned knowledge! You're saving folks like me from a disappointing outcome next spring, and that's priceless! Be Well!

[@cjones646]

What a wonderful tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to share. I will be trying this. Blessings from our family to yours.

[@chariprice]

Thank you from this first year gardener :) I was wondering how to save seeds from my tomatoes!

[@artport7]

Chari, this process is long and unnecessary if you just plan on saving enough to grow next years tomatoes... you can get enough out a couple of tomatoes to grow three more years worth but remember, if your tomato is a hybrid the seeds will not produce the same tomato or a quality of tomato... To save seed, the tomato variety must be an heirloom variety that has not been hybridized.. in other words, crossed with another variety... The short cut is just to rake the jelly membrane that has the seeds into a strainer and run water through it, stirring them around with your finger.... until much of the gel is gone... then drain and dump them directly onto a couple paper towels folded over.. then just take you finger and spread them out onto the paper towel as thin ans you can and just put them in a plate to dry... The remaining gel will go into the towel and dry, leaving the seeds behind... then you can just take your finger and scrape them off the paper towel. It's pretty much exactly like this process but you can skip the fermentation process...It takes too much time, space and it smells bad and draws gnats.. the goal is just to save the seed and discard the gel... that's all.

[@freemab222]

@@artport7 I don't even go to that much trouble. I simply squeeze the seeds directly from the tomato onto a paper towel, then press that with another on top. I blot dry the pair of paper towels as much as possible, then let them air dry. I make no attempt to remove the gel. Last years' seeds, saved this way, gave me 100% germination -- albeit I only planted a couple dozen of them. I can't guarantee these same (2019 crop) seeds will germinate after 2020, but I'd wager they will.

[@thresiaross36]

Rough season with tomatoes this year but the best heirloom tomato was the Box Car Willie for me. Nice big tomatoes and with all the rain it still did well.

[@candicecannon5164]

Thank you for taking the time to show the process you use. Will try it this year.

[@elizabethweber9915]

Thank you Danny that is perfect!! Now I can’t wait to get a tomato to harvest seeds and cucumber and squash and cantaloupe etc.😊👍

[@ddsmiles6382]

I had no idea! Very interesting. Thank you Danny much appreciated. Great info for saving our seeds which is so important. Blessings from New Mexico

[@julieb7068]

I would love I see a collaboration with you all, Starry, Doug & Stacy, Art & Bri, Appalachian homestead, Gilbrook farms, Kyp Smith, Big family homestead and Dirt Patch Heaven on your favorite tips on how to save money on the homestead (getting what you need with little $) or affording a homestead. I think this would benefit many.

[@off-gridsimplyhappyrodriguez]

Was this idea ever brought to life? I'm very excited and in need of that very video 😌💚🌱🍄🍃🌰

[@julieb7068]

Poor&Happy Off-Grid I don’t think so.

[@SimplyBackwoods]

Appreciate you sharing how you do the seeds, Danny. As I have time I'm trying to watch some of your older videos on how you do things. I do my seeds very similar and have so far been good for a couple years. Thanks again and blessings to you and Wanda.

[@sharonmcmillin5007]

Thanks for that awesome demo for saving seeds

[@GrammyVulture]

Ya!!! I am so happy to find this video tonight. I was asking this exact question today. I have a beautiful tomato plant and the weather is getting cold fast. I really want to try for another next year. I will start it in the house early though. I got this one at the store and put it in the garden spot in mid to late July. Thanks so much. 👍

[@DW-bc4xq]

Wow! I’ve been propagating a wonderful Brandywine tomato for 5 years. Winter’s are really hard to keep it going. Now I will dry some seeds and be able to relax during the winter. Growing from seed is easy, thanks for expanding my gardening hobby.

[@tangobayus]

I have saved Moskvich and Early Girl using this method. I let the EG's ferment until there was a mat of mold on top. I'm storing in paper. I got about 90% germination when I tested the Moskvich.

[@staceyrivers3297]

Very helpful. I use a paper plate since it doesn't stick to it as much as a paper towel. The plate is useful as a funnel once you're ready to bag it also.

[@Gray8YT]

thank you so much for walking threw the whole process start to finish ! i will use your technique this week!

[@anniegaddis5240]

Inviable seeds will float, so do NOT keep the ones that come out with the water when rinsing them. It's better to place them on waxed paper rather than on paper towels. Keep in dark well ventilated area. Wait 24 hours, then flip them over onto a different waxed paper and wait another 24 hours. Shake them up and then one more 24 hour period. If they are truly dry, none of them will stick to another (If they do, shake them up and wait another 24 hours). If even ONE seed has a teeny damp spot, and you put it in a plastic bag or plastic container, the mold that it will grow, will spread throughout ALL the seeds. It's better to put them in a paper envelope.

[@gerigowers8318]

My Grandmother on her farm used the waxed paper.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

I'd like know, any or all opinions. Most articles say any seed that floats is probably not viable. However, some also say, plant them anyway, then you'll know. For those that live in the northern climates, don't have the luxury of longer growing seasons. One chance to get it right, or you harvest less. Why then, save and plant seeds that may not be viable, since when processing seeds, like in this explanation, very good demonstration, there were literally 100's of seeds that sank. I know there are all kinds of reasons why even the Best of seeds don't Always germinate. Wet, cold spell, rot,,, drought, not enough water, planted too deep, critters getting at your seeds, etc. Why not just separate them and toss somewhere, and if some do come up,,, bonus plants, or can be transplanted into garden where even some "good" seeds didn't sprout. Just looking for opinions, or suggesting anyone is wrong. I'd just like to know. Thanks for the tutorial Danny. Mark

[@eddymass9386]

Just a genius. Greetings from Bedford, England. Thank you.

[@ladycat661]

I want to start saving tomato seeds I didn't think I could it be real hard but I see it is not that bad I got seeds this year and the seeds was not what I wanted(was to be Beefsteaks but was not ) so now I can save my own seeds and know that it will be what I want .Thank You Mr Danny God Bless

[@guybaldridge2475]

Charlotte Catalina beefsteak tomato’s are to merge best tasting meatest tomato I have found.🍅

[@elainewood2336]

You are a great teacher! I save seeds from everything but have had some issues saving tomato seeds. Now I know how it's done. Also, you talk like me! I also am from the deep South! I have subscribed and am looking forward to checking out your other videos.

[@myprepperjourney]

Danny....thank you for this video...I have romas ready to harvest the seeds...I'm gonna do this today..God Bless you and Wanda

[@kellybowser6002]

Thank-you for explaining the reason why you fermented the seeds, nobody else has explained the why of it. I skipped this step since I do not need them until next year as I do not have a green house yet. I also use the parchment paper idea so they do not stick so badly to the paper toweling.

[@debrasaints3809]

Great video! I did my dragon fruit seeds this way! I’m so happy to see that I’m on the right track! Blessings!

[@pnwRC.]

FANTASTIC video! I have grown heirloom seeds before but never knew how to save the seeds from them

[@lindawilliams7273]

Thank you for sharing. Now I can save my tomato seeds. Blessings!

[@sgwoodward3017]

I started saving some today. Thank you for the info.

[@WonderfulBlessedLife]

Thank you so much for sharing i am saving seeds for the first time this year and i am so greatful for you sharing your knowledge

[@rastamanralph6670]

Cheers👍 that's great to know especially in these uncertain times.

[@rogerGodsaves]

Very interesting way I will have to try it. where I live the tomato's that fall off and rot the net year I get lots of plants come up just separate and plant. But they are not always the ones I want.

[@jmcherry7908]

You are very clear in your instructions. thank you.

[@cherylmiller2272]

That's exactly what I was wanting to know how to do. Thanks for showing me.

[@beverlystufflebeam5731]

Thank you so much for step by step instructions. Slowly explained and so patient...

[@ThomasShue]

wow, already saving seed from 2017. I'm in KCMO and just now getting red to start on my first tomatoes.

[@peacelove7872]

Hi..I just saved some cucumber seeds but should have realized how bad the water was going to smell. LOL Thanks for all your worldly advice. I do appreciate the knowledge you both share with all of us. ☮️💕

[@kathrynbarke3856]

Thanks for such a great explanation of how to save tomato seeds.

[@MickyBellRoberts]

Thank you so much for showing how to save Tomato seeds, very well done.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

A best practices is to select the best, earliest tomatoe for seed saving.

[@countrylivingeoregonstyle6145]

Thank you so much for sharing,after watching this I figured out that I was doing it right.Thanks again

[@HomesteadHippie]

I didn't realize how fast pepper seeds dry! I deseeded my sons peppers before I fed them to him! Today, I deseeded my tomatoes before I ate the rest. You made this video just in time!' Thank you.

[@cllnplmr]

FASCINATING! I love learning new methods!!

[@queenoflasvegas]

Learn something new everyday. God bless!

[@jefflinke2772]

That's almost exactly how I save mine, nice to know I'm not the only one. Nice Video. Thanks.

[@shirleymurphy1958]

Thank you so glad to know now how too save tomatoe seed. Will do my cucumbers too .

[@Car-jy8pw]

I do the same thing but I cover it with a cloth and use less water. I let them dry on paper plates instead of paper towels to keep them from sticking. Works great.

[@pallettogallucci4004]

I Usually just spray the seeds clean in the wire strainer right out of the ripe tomato with the water sprayer, it removes the gel coating, and of course laid out to dry and in my experience I have always had them grow. 😀

[@julieweaver2285]

What a great video! Thank you! I will certainly be saving my tomato seeds from now on!❤

[@finestplanet1353]

Great Video! I had no idea about the 4/5 day sit around time! That's cool Danny and Camera gal Wanda! Thank you!

[@pamelawilkins1767]

Thanks for sharing! Your first video I ever seen. You go in detail very well. Can’t wait to see the next!

[@CrowShadow]

Thanks for the demonstration Danny.

[@garronperlin2301]

Thank u so much awsome thanx for yor kindness . N knowledge. From canada 🇨🇦