This year I found an heirloom cherry tomato that was an amazing producer in my garden.  I stated it from seed and man, were they ever sweet.  Then I read in their catalog that they will no longer carry Sugar Sun tomato seeds next year so I knew that since I loved them so much, I would have to find another source or make an effort to save seed for next year.  I mean, how difficult can it be, right?  I'm happy to say, not difficult at all.

Here is a step by step, simple way to save your tomato seeds from year-to-year:

  • Select your nicest looking tomatoes from the healthiest plants
  • Slice your tomato in half using a sharp knife.  Take a spoon or well-washed hands and scoop the seeds with the pulp in a clean cup or container.  Add a shallow amount of water and cover the container with plastic wrap.  It's important to let the mix breath so make sure you place a small hole in the plastic wrap.  For the next three days, remove the plastic wrap and stir the water mixture and place (or replace) plastic wrap.  It's natural for the liquid to look scummy as the seeds will separate from the liquid. Hold your nose as it can smell funky.
  • After the three days, lift the plastic one more time and carefully remove the scummy surface. Then carefully pour out the liquid thru a fine kitchen sieve or natural (brown) coffee filter, saving the seeds.  You will want to rinse the seeds several times but be careful not to lose the seeds.  You'll want to get rid of as much water as possible.
  • Next, prepare a piece of wax paper or a dry coffee filter and spread the seeds on the surface in a single layer.  You'll want to dry the seeds completely from water and this may take several days to a week.  You will have to stir the seeds to make sure they are drying from all sides. Dry seeds should move freely and not stick together.

When seeds are completely dry, place them in a paper envelope and label them with the current year.  These seeds can last up to five years if stored properly in a cool dry place.

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