Saving Tomato Seeds by Fermenting Them (Never Buy Tomato Seeds Again)

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Here is the best reason to do this... these tomatoes grew in YOUR soil, survived under your insect pressure, your rainfall, your weather, your soil chemistry. They grew the biggest of all that made it. When you save the seeds, you get to keep the largest and best, which have the most stored energy to create the biggest plants. What happens when you buy seed at Walmart is they take the best seeds and save for themselves. The next best go to big buyers paying premiums. The next go to bulk buyers. The smallest crappiest ones go into seed packets and these are what you buy from garden stores, Walmart, home depot, etc. Those seeds also possibly grew thousands of miles away, in very different conditions. Saving seeds is a massive way to gain an edge over the every day gardener. I would rank saving seeds as the number 1 "cheat code", tied with no-till, and thick mulch. This is such a great channel, and it teaches so many things that I teach in my videos. I'm really glad I found you guys. Your mushroom video was great, this one also is fantastic.

[@downbntout]

Canadian Permaculture Legacy No-till and mulch -- YAAASSS

[@downbntout]

Where in Canada are you?

[@epicgardening]

100% agreed, in fact that's what Brijette does this for! San Diego has a hard time with some colder-weather lovers, so she's trying to create regionally-adapted crops like cauliflower, etc that have a hard time heading in our temps. Thanks for commenting, shot you a subscribe!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

@@epicgardening that's awesome. Another great example, Quebec Persimmons. We have a group of people in Quebec who are growing zone 3 persimmons! Can you imagine? 75 years in the making. These are the kind of things that become possible when we start saving seeds. For example, my tomatoes are the only ones on the planet like them. They started as black krims, but they are now... different, and Very cold hardy. Super cool stuff. Science can be very fun!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

@@downbntout about 2 hours east of Toronto in a town called Cobourg. Can zone 5, USDA zone 4.

[@kimbowman1800]

What I appreciate most about this video is the information about the tomato stage that's best for seed saving and the info about not needing to add water. I also appreciate that the video is short and to the point. Thank you!!

[@jenwilko2424]

I have one beautiful costoluto tomato plant that has completely resisted blight even though all the other plants got it around it. I am saving its seeds now as it seems to have good genetics, thank you for the tip.

[@PaulDavis-c2n]

One more step, after the seeds have been fermented and cleaned, put the seeds into some clean water. The seeds which float are not viable and should be thrown out. The ones that sink to the bottom are filled out, heavier and ready to plant. Then, let them dry on a clean plate in the refrigerator. After they have dried, place them into an envelope and wait till planting time.

[@BaltimoresBerzerker]

Didn't know this was a legit named technique. I do this out of intuition, and the practicality of why waste food I can eat for seed when I could just use old fruits! Sometimes I deliberately let the biggest and best fruit rot so my genetics improve

[@epicgardening]

You've got a gardener's intuition then...very smart!

[@vikavika5636]

What a useful video, I was just looking for exactly this information about tomatoes 🍅! Thank you so much Bridjette! And thank you Kevin for hosting Bridjette on your channel!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My mate worked at a sewage plant. Tomato seeds survived the whole trip from dump to sludge.

[@offa]

And, planting the turd will grow tomatoe plants.

[@kengarrett1116]

Way too complicated. I just get the selected tomato, wait until it is very, very, over ripe. Cut the tomato and squeeze the seeds out on to a sheet of paper towel/kitchen towel. let it dry thoroughly, then store it in a paper bag until next season. Don't forget to write the variety and date on the paper bag. I also write it on the paper towel. Next spring, I just tear off pieces of paper towel with seeds attached and plant the pieces of paper towel, or you can just lay the sheet of paper towel down, cover it with 1/2 inch of soil/potting mix/compost. separate the seedlings when they are 4 or 5 inches high. I have been doing this for many, many years and it works perfectly every time.

[@jennetgage9284]

according to one web site that is fine as long as you had no diseases hitching a ride on the tomatoes.

[@jimmccarville5152]

This is just what I was looking for. Thanks for posting this even though it was a few years ago it's still on your site and able to learn from it. Awesome sir, Thank You!

[@theRottieLife]

I love, love, love this video 😍. I keep trying to save seeds from my tomato 🍅 thank you for sharing wonderful knowledge

[@gunlake8]

Wow I watch your TikTok and came by this video by accident while looking up fermenting tomato seeds. Glad I've found you here!

[@Matthitizidu]

Love this. Love the new generation of farmers that are sprouting up

[@teresacabanas]

How long do you let the gunk ferment? Just a few days until it gets the mold on it??? I'm not sure if I missed that on the video...thanks. Great information!!

[@francestutt5308]

Wonderful. Can I freeze the seeds for next season?

[@1001awab]

After cleaning the seed. How to you try the seed for storage. How long can you store the seed. Thx

[@epicgardening]

You must dry in a cool, dry place and then store in dark, cool, dry place. Should be good for 2-5+ years!

[@the_corinthians_twelve_teacher]

Can you do this with most fruits and vegetables for seed saving?

[@TillyFloss]

I'd like to know which fruit n veg we can do this with too!

[@rubyc.4311]

thank you for sharing this informative video. my question now is, do you have to let the seed dry before planting into the ground or seedling tray? or it can be planted fresh?ty

[@epicgardening]

Technically no, but it's usually a good idea because you aren't planting right away. If you want to directly toss it into the ground it may work (as tomato seeds will germinate from INSIDE a rotting tomato), but if you want any time between harvest of seeds and planting, I'd dry it out.

[@mscharylee]

Do you put a lid on the jar or just leave it open?

[@TidyWaste]

Do you leave them on the vine to rot, or do you harvest them at eating stage and then rot?

[@kathleenlaverty3713]

Thank you so much for this. I adore your overalls. Could you share where we can buy those?

[@ltlbnsgarden]

That is definitely a great and easy way to do tomato seed saving. Great information as always 😊

[@Damselfly54315]

Thank you, just what I was looking for!😊

[@DavePettittVoiceOver]

I’d like to confirm I did this right. My tomatoes weren’t very juicy so when I got back to them after the weekend everything was pretty dried out. It did mold up a bit which I think is great, but the seeds are all pretty dark after being cleaned up. I’m thankful I still have a few left in the garden ripening up so definitely going to try again but would love to know a pro opinion on whether the dark seeds will be okay.

[@PlantObsessed]

How do you make sure they are true to type for the tomato?

[@shanesingh5656]

Should I keep it uncovered?

[@txperdetsa8924]

Do you store uncovered or with a sealed lid

[@epicgardening]

Uncovered with a paper towel + rubber band for me

[@hunxhohunlen6043]

Glad you asked!

[@maggiemirenda7146]

I wish you guys would’ve went one step further and told us how to save them whether to put them in an envelope and in the fridge or what to do.

[@DBeez]

Hi, do I need to cover the jar during the fermenting process or leave it uncovered?

[@peterwong1231]

Kevin 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?

[@ChristinaFiamma]

Can you put a lid on the jar to prevent fruit flies? And, well, a stinky kitchen?

[@Lucy11122]

Awesome tips thank you friend

[@epicgardening]

You're welcome!

[@Wazupu]

Didn’t realize it was so simple. Thnx

[@epicgardening]

You're welcome!

[@keriXianne]

Can you do this seed fermentation with other seeds?

[@clintondewitt286]

Boom! Enough said. Kevin does it again

[@epicgardening]

;)

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

Thanks for sharing, I love doing this!!

[@epicgardening]

Wohooo!

[@AnarchismIsBetter161]

4:20 most important

[@WildBearFoot]

I would cover the top with cheesecloth to keep out bugs.

[@Reeder6Wisconsin]

Do you need to protect the flower from cross pollination?

[@GiantGrasses]

Most tomatoes self-pollenate but cross pollination is possible

[@marciagrant6687]

Very interesting video. Thanks!!

[@epicgardening]

You're welcome!

[@Earthy-Artist]

Oops I've been adding water to my fermenting tomato seeds, I'll give your way without water a try and see how it goes.

[@joeberlin9964]

Hi Kevin, I received the seeds Thank you, joe

[@epicgardening]

Glad to hear, Joe!

[@YOUR-WORD-IS-YOUR-BOND]

Thank you!

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

They skipped the drying step. I let them sit on paper towels for four to seven days.

[@sarahduarte8403]

It's not mother nature it's God who created the heavens and earth. He created our food and seeds so we'd have food continuously.

[@LoveKARDAYAHSSoul]

Todah rabah.

[@marioamayaflamenco]

You didn't tell us whether to dry the seeds or how to store them for next year. Disappointed.

[@Greenmahn333]

👍

[@tory464]

💚👍

[@timeallen6900]

Mother Nature is awesome? No honey God the creator created those seed characteristics and His Sons name is Jesus.

[@Menfam6]

I was thinking this same thing throughout the video. Clearly the work of a Creator, not random. Praia the Lord for his abundance and food!

[@Rubbberduckyyy]

Yes!!

[@jennetgage9284]

AMEN!!!!

[@Dan-yh4uz]

Wowwww this is idiotic

[@WildBearFoot]

​@@Dan-yh4uzagreed

[@ryanini999]

Why does this guy always sound like he couldn't care less about what he's doing? This is an interesting show but hey bro, Mr Man, do you need some preparation h? or a sandwich? some sleep perhaps? or a good drink? Im just saying the show would be way better if you were happy....I love you......😁 Don't be a tired sad person 😞😞 Be a happy awake person! 🤩🤩 I'm not trying to be a d*** just giving some constructive criticism... ❤️

[@epicgardening]

Hey man, appreciate the critique - I'm quite a happy person, sorry you don't think it comes off that way

[@ofsportsbd]

Very interesting video. Thanks!!