Our goal is to save as many seeds as we can from year to year. We do purchase new varieties, as we experiment with flavors, but in general we try to save the seeds for our “bulk” planting. Every kind of plant has different requirements for saving seed, and we have tried multiple methods of saving tomato seeds before finding the process we like best. We have used this method several years, and it has worked consistently for us, so today we are sharing the process.

Note: Seed saving only works if you’ve got heirloom tomatoes. The seeds from hybrid tomatoes will not reproduce the same kind of tomato – usually they will revert to one of the original varieties used in the creation of the hybrid variety.

Step 1: Collect juice and seeds from tomatoes in a glass vessel. We simply cut our tomatoes in half and squeeze the “guts” into our glasses.
Make sure you label which tomatoes go where!

Step 2: When the tomatoes have developed this white film/mold, they’re ready. It’s a type of fermentation process that breaks down the enzymes and helps generate clean, savable seed.
This takes a week or so, depending on temperature and etc.
It’s also important that you have enough juice in with the seeds so they don’t dry out. As you can see above, the Amish Paste seeds almost got too dry. This is a very real struggle with cherry varieties, and the only downside of this method.

Step 3: Dump the entire tomato contents into a fine mesh strainer. It’s best to do this part outside.

Step 4: Rinse tomato seeds thoroughly. We find using the spray nozzle on the hose works best.

Step 5: Rinse the seeds as clean as you can get them.

Step 6: Spread on paper plates, allow the seeds to dry thoroughly.
Make sure you keep the labels with the appropriate seeds!

Step 7: Once seeds are dry, package and label for storage. We usually store ours in the freezer.

The Pineapple tomato seeds have been saved year over year for 40 years, first saved by Mr.’s grandparents. They are truly an heirloom tomato, and our absolute-must-grow every year, and it’s very important to us to be able to keep saving those seeds and continue the legacy.

Being able to save seed not only gives you peace of mind in knowing you’ll be able to get a particular variety {we try to only grow heirlooms, and sometimes the seeds are not available}, but it also frees up the garden budget for trying new things. The Brandywines were a new tomato for us this year, and we loved them so much we saved seed and plan to grow them again.

Next year, we want to add another new “sandwich” tomato, and at least one new variety of cherry. And yes, we are already planning for the 2026 tomato season!

Have you ever saved seeds? If so, what method do you use?