How to save heirloom tomato seeds for next year?

If you’re growing heirloom tomatoes you’re most likely after their unique flavors, so why wouldn’t you also want to save those seeds to grow them yourself the following year? You can save heirloom tomato seeds either by simply saving the seeds from the tomatoes that you want to grow or by planting the seeds yourself. Let’s talk about each method.

How to save tomato seeds and plant in spring?

Tomato seeds can be saved from plants at any time during the growing season. While the plants are still producing fruits, it’s best to collect the seeds from the plants before they start to get overripe. Tomato seeds should be collected when the fruits have fully ripened but are still firm. For optimum seed quality, dry the fruits on paper towels then spread the seeds on a baking sheet lined with a paper towel.

How to save heirloom tomato seeds for next planting?

Tomato seeds are hard to collect. You can either use a bucket or jar to collect them or do it the old-fashioned way: with your hands. To do it that way, first you’ll need to cut the tomato open with a sharp kitchen knife. The seeds will be inside. Using tweezers, remove the tomato seeds from their jelly casings. Then, place the seeds in an airtight jar. You can also use the jar to store other tomato seeds you’

How to store heirloom tomato seeds for next year?

Tomato seeds can be stored for one to two years in a cool, dry place. Storing them in the refrigerator will cause them to lose viability, although they will still germinate. If you want to store them for longer, dry them for three to five weeks in the sun or in a warm room with a fan. Then, place the seeds in a sealed jar or canister with silica gel packets. Be sure to label the jar with the variety names and the date of harvest.

How to save tomato seeds and plant them in spring?

Tomatoes are self-pollinating plants, which means they reproduce by fertilizing themselves. To ensure that the seeds you save from your heirloom tomato plants will produce a full crop the following season, it’s important that you pollinate each tomato plant before you allow it to set seed. You can accomplish this by hand or with a specialized tomato horn. When the tomato flowers begin to turn color, the petals will curl back to expose the stamen. Using your hand or a