How to Save Tomato Seeds?

So, Here is a photo demonstration of how i save my tomato seeds step-by-step.

Step #1 - Start with ripe, healthy tomatoes

Step #2 - Cut them in half

 Step # 3 - Squeeze liquid including seeds, into a jar

Step # 4 - Let ferment for 4-7 days. (pictured bel0w)

Step #5 - Fill the jar containing fermented seeds with water. The seeds will sink to the bottom, and mould float to the top.

Step #6- Pour off top layer of mould and water. Do not pour out seeds.

Step #7 - Fill Jar with Water again. Let seeds settle.

Step #8 - You may have to repeat Step #6 & 7 a few times until all that remains is clear water & seeds.

Step # 9 - Strain the Seeds

Step #10 - Let dry on a suspended screen for at least one week

I dry mine of a re-claimed baking rack. It works perfectly!

Eerie Day on the Farm

 Spent an overcast, dreary day at the farm, birds were flocking above & perched on each of the fence posts. 

Early August Gardens

Hornworm Damage: Cause & Effect

 This is why I get really upset with hornworms . . . 

 They are all over my garden 

and when i find them, this is their fate . . .  sorry, but it's you or my tomatoes 

Holy Hornworms

 I have had gardens in many places, and it never ceases to amaze me how the tomato hornworms seem to find my garden. I joke around that they somehow follow me around. I guess they know where to find the best tomatoes! 

But, alas, when it comes to my tomatoes, i show no mercy . . . 

Brian Mitolo's shots of the gardens

Thanks to Brian Mitolo for taking these shots of me enjoying being in my community garden plot. and the beauty of the entire garden itself. Learn more about Brian's work here

Fruit Season = Bliss

I heart my community garden!

Farm-tastic!

 

Thursday was a beautiful day for farming. it was still quite humid, but the cloudy skies provided us with protection from the sun; and beautiful scenery! 

 so many green tomatoes!! can't wait for them to start turning to a rainbow of tomatoes!

  purple cherokees are getting so close to sandwich time

paprika peppers ripening 

                            

yellow beans! and weeds!

 cucumbers

 baby basil 

zucchini

 black seamans 

 i love this photo of a purple bean plant flowering, if i could, i might sit in the garden & take a photo every hour as the plant begins producing it's pod. probably a good thing that my garden is not in my backyard! 

 more green tomatoes. sooo soon & we can start eating them. sooo excited. 

 This is what tomato hornworms do. jerks! i must have killed 50 huge one's today. notice the million weeds in the background too. oh my. 

 i love this twisted tomato! it's a stripe cavern. this will probably be the first of 200 pictures i will take of it!