urbantomato

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!

saving seeds from lettuce & other greens

Here are some photos of various leafy greens going to seed:

This is some lettuce seed in the stage after it has flowered (above)

When collecting leafy green seeds, pay attention to the plants. They will begin to "bolt", grow upwards & create flowers (they will no longer taste very good at this stage), let those flowers bloom & die back, and then seed pods will form. Let them brown & then collect! Dry further indoors, pop open pods, and there is the seed!

Here are some greens that are sending up their flower stocks, and are about to bloom

Romaine Lettuce bolting, it is about to send out it's flower stock

Romaine sending out flowers

Leafy green flower stocks against a beautiful august evening sky

Red Romaine just about to flower

After the flowers have bloomed, you will have to wait another few weeks for the pods to form and start to dry out . . .watch carefully, when they are ready, they may burst open & you will loose the seed. Take them inside to dry before that stage . . .

August Gardens & Harvests - Greens starting to seed

harvests beginning to roll in!

nothing like a big old bag of basil! mmmm

mustard greens going to seed. i love the contrast between the dark purple leaves & the bright yellow flowers they produce when starting the seed production process

red romaine starting to bolt

cucumber plants covered in flowers

drunken frizzy headed woman lettuce putting out its lovely flowers which will turn to seed for next season

another pic of the lettuce forming seeds

beans galore. it's hard to leave some of them alone so that they can produce seeds. I planted lots this year so that I would have some to eat, and some for seed. These are Provider Green Beans

Purple beans starting to produce. They are so beautiful in flower & fruit

planted lots of marigolds this year, i am found of this extra puffy variety

tomatoes are finally starting to ripen. First of the vine? Purple Cherokee

late blooming lupin!

lots of squash blossoms with fruits to follow

beans & cucs and first min pepper of the season

dill starting to produce seed. I have been picking some for pickling, but lots of seed still coming on

arugula has bolted & is now starting to flower, next step, seed production!

sunset lettuce has bolted too. i am very excited to have all these new lettuce varieties in my collection

Despite the cool temperatures, this has been a great summer for peppers so far. Still waiting for them to ripen, but the plants are loaded with fruit

not a lot of tomaotes yet, but tonnes of beans & cucumbers

Weird & wonderful summer squash

lemon squash forming fruit - tastes just like yellow zucchini, but in a cute round package

Yugoslovian finger fruit squash. one of the coolest looking veggies I have grown

Squash blossoms getting pollinated

trials & tribulations of gardening

if a tree falls in your garden & no one is around to see it; does it make a sound?

I don't know! but i sure did yelp, when i arrived at my seed garden to see this; and breathed quite the sigh of relief when i realized most of my plants were amazingly ok - except a few of my precious black russian tomato plants.