Harvesting Tomato Seeds
1. Tomato sliced to expose seeds.

1. Tomato sliced to expose seeds.

2. Scoop out seeds (plastic spoon works well). Transfer seeds and attached pulp to a disposable tall plastic cup.

2. Scoop out seeds (plastic spoon works well). Transfer seeds and attached pulp to a disposable tall plastic cup.

3. Fill with tap water and stir to mix seeds with water. Let seeds settle to bottom and carefully pour off debris until mostly seeds remain. Repeat 3 times.

3. Fill with tap water and stir to mix seeds with water. Let seeds settle to bottom and carefully pour off debris until mostly seeds remain. Repeat 3 times.

4. Place plastic cup with seeds & water in warm place. A garage is ideal. Keep in garage until mold covers top of water.

4. Place plastic cup with seeds & water in warm place. A garage is ideal. Keep in garage until mold covers top of water.

Harvesting Tomato Seeds for Next Growing Season - 2
5. Carefully pour mold layer and murky water off.

5. Carefully pour mold layer and murky water off.

6. Rinse 4 times with clean tap water and pour water off keeping seeds in bottom.

6. Rinse 4 times with clean tap water and pour water off keeping seeds in bottom.

7. Tomato seeds with water drained away are placed on a piece of wax paper and labeled with variety and type (slicing, cherry, plum etc.) and are allowed to dry for approximately 10 days. Seeds are gently scraped from wax paper and transferred to a

7. Tomato seeds with water drained away are placed on a piece of wax paper and labeled with variety and type (slicing, cherry, plum etc.) and are allowed to dry for approximately 10 days. Seeds are gently scraped from wax paper and transferred to a small labeled envelope.

8. Close up of individual seeds after drying.

8. Close up of individual seeds after drying.

Comments:

  • Different tomato varieties vary considerably in the number of seeds present in the pulp.
  • The described method is "fermentation" and causes the gelatinous sack around each seed to rupture and break down.
  • The moldy top layer can be drained off either outside or toilet inside.
  • If seeds are allowed to stay in water more than 3 days, they will start to sprout.
  • Be sure to label plastic cup with variety and date & description of tomato (i.e., cherry, purple top, red bottom)
  • Some folks will allow whole tomato or slices to dry in sun and then harvest.