If you like tomatoes, I’m sure you buy them by the truckload before your own are ready for harvest.
But have you ever bought tomatoes that taste incredible and thought to yourself: why don’t I save the seeds and regrow them?
Hold it right there! No matter how much it might tickle your fancy, it may not be a good idea.
Ready to learn the story behind store-bought tomatoes and their seeds? The wait is over – here’s the scoop!
These Are The Startling Facts Everyone Needs To Know
Will the seeds of store-bought tomatoes grow into fruit-producing plants? Yes. Then what’s the problem?
The chances you’ll get the same flavorful tomatoes are actually low to zero. You see, the tomatoes we buy in grocery stores are predominantly hybrids. If you’ve never heard of this term, it refers to varieties that are crossed between two other varieties.
Duplicating hybrids means you won’t get the same plants with the same traits and flavor. Remember that growing tomatoes requires patience, effort, and garden space.
Even if you use all these things, the results still won’t be what you expected.
The only tomatoes that are worth all the trouble are heirloom varieties. They’re genetically stable and you’ll get the exact same plants.
Look, you can still regrow store-bought tomatoes, just don’t expect them to taste the same. A better option is either to purchase the seeds from respectable sellers or save some from heirloom varieties.
Believe it or not, even heirloom tomatoes can ‘disappoint’ with harvested fruits that don’t taste the same. This mainly happens once the tomatoes get cross-pollinated in your garden.
This is why I often recommend heirloom tomato growers cover their plants with mesh bags.
If You Decide To Save The Seeds, This Is How You Do It
Saving tomato seeds of any type and variety isn’t rocket science. One option is to take a few tomato slices and plant them directly in the soil.
Honestly, I’ve never tried it. I always scoop the seeds and allow them to sit in a jar of water. I cover them with a paper towel and, after a few days, I take the viable seeds and strain them to remove pulp and liquid.
The main reason for this entire process is to deactivate the chemicals that would otherwise inhibit germination.
If it’s the right time to plant the tomato seeds outdoors (when soil temperatures are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit), I sow them immediately.
On the other hand, if the planting time doesn’t match, you can store the seeds and sow them when the time is right. In this case, you’ll need to dry them by leaving them on a paper towel for a few weeks.
I leave them for a month and then put them in a glass jar and store them in a cool and dry place.
One of the biggest benefits of this method is that the seeds stay viable for a few years!
And Here’s How To Grow Them
Once the seed saving is successfully completed, it’s time to grow the juiciest and tastiest tomatoes ever!
First, check the forecast and the last expected frost date, which varies from region to region. You should start your tomatoes approximately 2 months before.
Just like all other veggie seeds, your tomato seeds need warmer temperatures to complete germination.
Fill a seed tray with pre-moistened seed-starting mix and put the tray in a warm location.
My first attempt to grow tomatoes from seeds failed because temperatures were too low. Then I purchased heat mats. I have to admit it was one of the best investments I’ve ever made and now all my seeds germinate well.
Once the germination is complete, your tomatoes need enough light to keep growing. Remember that the growing substrate should always be moist, so put your finger in the soil regularly to check moisture content.
Pay attention to nighttime temperatures, and when they reach 60 degrees you can start hardening off the seedlings. Take them outdoors every day and increase the time they spend there each day. I typically harden them off in a period of 2 weeks.
And the last thing you need to do is transplant the tomato seedlings in fertile, free-draining soil and provide them with enough light and water!
Skip the headache of regrowing store-bought tomatoes! Simply take the seeds of heirloom tomatoes, use our top-notch tips, and they’ll reward you with the juiciest and most flavorful fruits you could ever wish for!