Never Buy Seeds Again - How to Collect Tomato Seeds

It's easy to collect and save tomato seeds. Gardener Scott discusses and demonstrates different ways to harvest, ferment, dry, and save tomato seeds. (Video #311)
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[@justmedarlin]

The Bob Ross of tomato seed harvesting. Thank you!

[@kellyminnesota]

Scott, you have made gardening even more fun, and I'm happy to be a part of your community. Kelly (Minneapolis Mn)

[@eriklane4808]

I’m trying to get more serious about seed saving and am really enjoying this seed saving series - thanks Scott!

[@elaines5179]

For smaller quantities, the key is to remove the gel. You can do every step within a hour and dry the seeds within several days. I put gel encased seed in a paper towel wait about a minute and scrape them into a dry stretch of paper towel, wait a few minutes and do it a third time. Each time the gel and water clings to the paper. Or put the seeds in a fine sieve and rub them against the wire rubbing the gel off. Either way within minutes you can put the wet seeds without their gel sacks onto a shiny plate or shiny postcard advertisement card. Let dry over night and pop them off and put in a paper envelope to finish drying. Once years ago I simply squeezed the seeds gel and all into dirt in a pot on my window sill and had a stand of tomato plants fully sprouted within one week. It really is easier than you may think. Scrapping from one towel to the next speeds up the process; and a knife or spoon is easily used to separate the seeds the last time. I get too many seeds to care about the germination rate. My habitual problem is too many plants rather than not enough germination.

[@catofthecastle1681]

And doing it that way tells you if they’re all viable?

[@Brian-fc6ov]

Thanks Gardener Scott ,,, I'm saving seeds for the first time. A friend gave me some seeds one of his friends had sent from Italy, they were old seeds but one grew into a fine healthy plant so I'm saving the seeds to give back to him next year 😁. (Alfresco tomato).

[@dwaynewladyka577]

I remember buying heirloom tomatoes from a Safeway store once. They were very good. I decided to keep some of the seeds. I remember later on that I had them. I planted some of the seeds and they grew into very tall plants that bore a lot of tasty fruit. As I'm originally from a very large farm in Alberta, I think garden fresh tomatoes and produce are beyond compare. Thanks for sharing this. Cheers, Scott!

[@Yankeesista203]

Thanks for the saving seed information! It felt weird to miss your last live!☺I have a rack in my garage garden workshop, that I have been saving seeds! This is my second season doing so. But this time I have gone to another level and more organized. The tip on fermenting really helps! Take care👍🏿☑

[@GJ3ful]

Very inspiring and helpful; thanks for sharing! Stay safe!

[@hugelpook]

Another clear and full instructional video. Perfect for beginners.

[@JesusRodriguezJr-vu8mo]

This guy is a legend i love that im young and new to gardening & i find almost everything i need to know about gardening on scotts channel.

[@busterbrown446]

Excellent instructional video.

[@seanofthebread86]

I appreciate all your hard work and knowledge and wonderful presentation. Thank you for what you do!

[@jking0.o121]

Those Black Krims looks gorgeous.

[@jorunngramvordal3940]

🇧🇻Greetings from Norway. I love growing tomatos even if it's a bit risky in my cold climate. I know about seedsaving and a good bit about gardening, but I love watching your videos Scott. And I always pick up some new tips or alternative ways to do tings. You have such a calm and pleasant presence and good teaching methode. Keep up the good work and thank you!

[@GardenerScott]

Greetings, Jorunn. Thank you. I'm very glad to help.

[@jeanielipskey1272]

Thanks Scott, this is great to know how to do .

[@Octoschizare]

I've been doing the fermentation method for a few years after seeing it recommended. It worked well; my germination rate is great, but I didn't really understand exactly why this was the way to go. Now I do. Thanks! I heard about the disease resistance but wasn't sure whether it was true, and I forgot (or perhaps never knew) about the gel coating being a germination inhibitor. Also, be careful doing this method because it is possible to leave the seeds in the water for too long! They will eventually start to germinate; you'll see a tiny white thread poking out, and I assume those ones won't do great germinating a second time after you dry them and then hydrate months/years later when actually want them to sprout. Also sometimes the seeds can get darker in color if left for too long in the water and it seems to me like those ones don't germinate as well, but I'm not sure. I think the ideal time to sit in the water is ~3 days and then you can rinse them thoroughly and then dry them.

[@GardenerScott]

You raise a good point. The seeds really shouldn't be in the fermentation for more than five days.

[@kmiller6002]

I can't wait to start saving seeds next year... Thank You Gardener Scott 🙏🙏 Kendra

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

Due to rat circumstances beyond my control, (but now under the control of feral Farrah, my SPCA barn cat), I had a disappointing harvest, so I turned to seed saving as my main goal this past season. I am so grateful for all I’ve learned from you, Gardener Scott!

[@francismeowgannou5322]

I just composted my tomatoes last year and got 20 seedlings out of my compost pile. I didn't have to worry about tomatoes this year.

[@ejfishes7610]

I need to be better at this. Thank you for a great series!

[@michaelmarchione3408]

Ya! I was going to save those same tomato seeds you are showing, but the tomatoes were so good I forgot to. I always save different winter squash seeds. Last year I saw someone on youtube use a ziploc bag. I tried it and all my Golden Delicious seeds molded. A whole 1 and 1/4 lbs. worth. Luckily I was smart enough to buy more just in case it didn't work out lol. I went back to large paper envelopes. Enjoyed your info! Take care!

[@leeannmillet8215]

Thank you

[@DameObserver108]

TY so much for this very instructive & practical video, Scott!

[@theelpydimension]

Great tutorial for saving seeds, thank you! I started a cup with seeds then forgot about them. 😶 So long that all the contents dried up! I think I'll have to start over. Thanks for sharing!

[@paulineannebrady364]

That was a very informative video. I will be following your instructions and fermenting the seeds from one of my last remaining tomatoes, in my little garden in Western Greece, as soon as it is ripe. These large tomatoes planted themselves in my garden this year, even though I have only ever actually planted cherry and grape tomatoes (which also planted themselves this year!), so I was very surprised. Perhaps the compost bin is to blame, but they are absolutely delicious so I really want to grow them from seed next year, and in the years to come. Thank you so much.

[@nomathembazwedala7704]

This is lovely to know these things. Thank you very much. Looking forward for more tutorials.

[@heidiclark6612]

Great video! Thank You for reminding me that heirloom tomatoes have extra benefits when you grow them. I somehow got away from heirloom varieties and am now growing hybrids. I guess I am going to have to invest in some heirloom tomatoes.

[@NautiMates]

Thank you GS.. I grew Black Krim this year thanks to your suggestion (a fair while ago), and boy, they were delicious and we got tons of 'em. My growing season's over here in way northern Massachusetts so I'm in full-on seed saving, preserving, and cover crop mode.. Two thumbs up on your content and great GS community!

[@stephenhope7319]

Timely Scott. Thanks. I harvested the last of my tomatoes today, expecting a large storm this weekend in Sacramento so it might be heading your way in a few days. I saved Sweet 100's seeds last year with great results. Looking forward to setting in started mix in December in my garage with heat mats and putting out in April. Thank you.

[@cindynielson4231]

Great lesson! TFS

[@anniegaddis5240]

Hreat! Sharing this on my MeWe page!

[@CharliePFoogo]

Another great seed-saving video. Thanks for posting!

[@jking0.o121]

Seeds have been getting more & more expensive. Plus it doesn't hurt to have the skills & knowledge to DIY.

[@saltlifess6226]

I take cuttings of the hybrid tomatoes and grow them over winter in my green house

[@DameObserver108]

How do you keep them from getting leggy?

[@elaines5179]

I've tried sun-gold, I still like the old standard, "yellow pear" tomato far better. To me its better tasting.

[@gardenerpete5232]

I love your videos! Very Clear and informative. I assume you're aware that some (well, one) tomato seeds can last 87 years! If you do another seed saving video, you can throw that tid-bit in for informational hummer. I store my seeds in a plastic storage box with a small jar of decadence (moisture absorber). I use paper coin envelopes to hold the seeds. I print reference Info with fill in lines on my inkjet printer. I wish I could send you a picture of my envelopes. I find that my tomato seeds last over 10 years. I have some tomato seeds from 2017, 2016, and 2014 that as of last year were still viable. There are seeds that only last 2 to 3 years. I forgot off hand, the specific plants. Thank you for your videos and I hope I at least gave you a chuckle! GardenerPete

[@shineyrocks390]

Question Scott, how do the Black Krim tomatoes do. I have those seeds but haven't had a chance to plant them yet. Scott I'm also going 100% back to Eden gardening. Wood chips are coming home Monday. After watching Paul's documentary on his gardening project that changed the way people garden, it also went against everything people including myself had been taught on gardening. I was sold cause to me it made sense. I ran a small plot last year as an experiment and seeing is believing. In case no one has noticed food prices have Sky 🚀 Rocketed! Get going, get growing!

[@GardenerScott]

Black Krim is my favorite tomato variety and does well in my garden. Good luck with your Back to Eden garden. It can be quite effective.

[@lodollar23]

Ok, I have a question. I bet your knowledge can answer it. You said if we save hybrid seeds, next year the hybrid seeds will produce the primary plants that made the hybrid seeds to begin with. There could be 10 varieties possibly. But if all those same parent tomato plants pollinate each other. Would the next year's seeds not go back to true again? So confusing! By the way, that tomato you sliced looked AMAZING! I'm fired up for gardening. Thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

If you save hybrid seeds, next year the hybrid seeds will NOT produce the primary parent plants. Once the genes mix and create a new plant, they won't easily revert back to the original pairings. You can get some of the primary characteristics when planting the seed from hybrid fruits, but the original parent plants won't be re-created.

[@lodollar23]

@@GardenerScott Thanks a ton! I've always been so confused as to why the offspring seeds don't go back to the parent plants that made the hybrid seed. I guess because I've never found material to study it hard enough to understand hybrid, gmo and why seeds become sterile and why all sorts of genetics change. Thanks again!

[@peterwong1231]

Scott great episode on saving tomato seeds I got a question in regards to saving seeds for Amish paste tomatoes that we have processed for tomato sauce. Typically I use the fermentation process to save tomato seeds but I have a bunch of skins as result of processing tomatoes for sauce. What would you suggest as a method to separate the skins. Or should I just allow the fermentation of the seeds with the skins then separate the skins and seeds when the fermentation is complete?

[@GardenerScott]

You can blanch the tomatoes first. Drop them in boiling water for about a minute. Then drop them in ice water. The skins should be easy to peel off. It is okay to ferment with the skins and then separate if you don't want to blanch.

[@marymccormick7806]

Got some harvested tomato seeds from a friend. Maybe she did the paper towel method? But seeds are sticky & clumped together. Should I rinse and try to spread out on towel or even try a short ferment?

[@GardenerScott]

There probably isn't enough material for fermentation but a rinse and spread can help release some of the dried gel around the seeds.

[@reneejmj]

Does putting slices in soil and leaving in a cold, dark place over winter work?

[@GardenerScott]

It can. Almost every year I have seedlings emerge from dropped fruit.

[@Indiesuzuki]

What about cross pollination ?

[@GardenerScott]

Tomatoes usually pollinate themselves. Cross pollination is possible but not as likely as in other fruits.

[@jamescraigrn]

Will this work with tomatoes ripened off the vine? I typically harvest my tomatoes green and ripen inside.

[@GardenerScott]

It can if the seeds were close to maturity when harvested, but there will probably be more seeds that aren't viable.

[@heatherbrodie2064]

Can you use a dehydrator to dry your tomato seeds?

[@GardenerScott]

You can but it isn't necessary. Air drying will work fine.

[@lynmaunsell4062]

Do you need to prevent your black krim and other heirlooms from cross pollinating before saving the seed?

[@GardenerScott]

Tomatoes usually pollinate themselves. Cross pollination is possible but not as likely as in other fruits.

[@JohnnyYeTaecanUktena]

You know the water viability test is way easier and time efficient to do than the germination test as viable seeds sink to the bottom. Like it is so easy i don't know why people don't do it more often. Hell it could even be used as part of the germination test as the first step as some you need to get wet or moist for a bit like a day at times before they can even begin to geminate like Okra seeds. So for the in season crops they could just do the water viability test onto the germination Hell I noticed Okra seeds last way longer than the expected 2 years and i just kept them in a zip lock bag sitting on my desk for years while they are still viable and able to germinate. Mind you these seeds i have are 8 years old at this point as i got them from my sister as hand me downs and i had them for 3 years yet when i go to germinate some seeds i leave it in a cup of water over night then plant it and i get a Okra plant sprouting in the normal time period Granted sometimes i do get the occasional seed that has to be submerged in water for 48 hours as with Okra the older the seed is the harder the shell becomes so filing it down a bit then sticking it in water overnight usually works. Granted i usually don't keep the window blinds open as i like to play games on my PC in my bedroom and i would get a bad glare on my TV's if a window blind is opened, so i don't get much UV light in my room in the first place. Now i have before harvested seeds from some pickled tobacco peppers that were made to be eaten and half of the seeds were actually viable to my surprise, granted they probably won't be as good as non pickled peppers but the fact that some actually germinated from that was enlightening and impressive to say the least. Granted i did it out of season so the plants died but whatever still was a valuable lesson, though however even if they are still viable expect the germination rate to be lower as in take longer with seeds from pickled plants. There are also a risk of harvesting from pickled stuff in the form of the seeds may not be mature as the fruits usually never are fully ripe when they ship to stores or being pickled. The stuff that are advertised as fully ripe before being pickled usually cost more

[@452Rob]

Do you keep your seeds in the freezer or just a shelf in a dark cool place?

[@GardenerScott]

Just a cool, dark, dry place.

[@ttb1513]

The black Krim were open pollinated to create the seeds you planted, but the tomatoes you just picked, could they have been cross pollinated from other varieties in your garden? Meaning you may not get black Krims next year?

[@GardenerScott]

Tomatoes usually pollinate themselves. Cross pollination is possible but not as likely as in other fruits. I've never had a problem with cross pollination.

[@ttb1513]

Great to know! Thanks for even more info, GS. Saves me some trouble then.

[@freakygardener8033]

When getting seeds that are NOT labeled as heirloom, or highbread, how do you know if you can save, or not? Also, I grew some Roma, and some Roma VF, and they taste different. What is the actual difference?

[@GardenerScott]

You can do an online search for the variety for more info. Seed packets should identify hybrid seeds, so if it doesn't say hybrid you can assume the seeds are open pollinated. The VF means it is resistant to some tomato diseases. While it is similar to original Roma, it is a different variety with that resistance.

[@Ultimatefitness360]

Sar can we dry seeds in sunlight ??

[@GardenerScott]

You can but the sunlight can be harmful. It is better to do it out of sun.

[@jimharmon2300]

How do you know if the seeds are hybrid or not ?

[@GardenerScott]

Hybrid seeds should be labeled as such. If in doubt, a quick internet search can help.

[@jimharmon2300]

@@GardenerScott Thanks

[@bonnieheikkila4781]

Can you do this with all seeds.

[@GardenerScott]

You can save all seeds but the process may be different. I have other videos that show how to save different seeds.

[@bonnieheikkila4781]

@@GardenerScott thanks

[@thomasgellos1732]

I would have missed out on this very informative video from Gardener Scott because YT deleted my subscription