“Why do grocery store tomatoes taste like rubber balls?” a visitor to our Fourth Annual Tomato Tasting event asked.

Today, tomatoes travel farther and farther to get to our plates. And all this traveling means hybrid tomatoes are being bred for traits like storage and disease resistance at the expense of taste, color, and texture.

But then there’s that other question: “Do heirlooms really taste better?”

At the Tomato Tasting, attended by an estimated 1000 people on Labor Day weekend, we tried to get at the heart of this question the best way we know how: “Here, taste an heirloom tomato. In fact, taste 35.”

And as with most questions in life, there were many answers:

“Hard to believe these are all tomatoes.”

“I can’t believe how many different flavors there are.”

“These tomatoes really are better.”

“Gross!”

So maybe not all heirlooms taste better, but with so many to choose from you’re sure to find one that’s right for you and your brood. (It just so happens that Velvet Red won “crowd favorite” by a landslide.) And once you find that perfect tomato, you only have to buy it once. That’s because heirloom tomatoes are a great way for home gardeners to get started saving seed.

In nature, ripe tomatoes fall from the plant and slowly rot, exposing the seeds and allowing natural weathering to break down the slimy gelatinous coating on the seeds. This is easily replicated through the process of fermentation. To save tomato seeds, seed savers must deliberately remove the coating from them.

Here’s how:

1. Take the seeds out of your best-looking tomatoes, and put them into any container that can hold liquid. Don’t worry if there is pulp with the seeds. Keep as much juice with the seeds as possible.

2. Some seed-saving techniques suggest adding water to the mixture. We recommend not adding water unless the mixture evaporates before it starts fermenting. This can be done by adding about ½ cup of nonchlorinated water to 1 cup of tomato seed and pulp.

3. Fermentation should happen in 24 hours to four days. This depends on many variables, such as air temperature or how ripe the fruit is. A layer of white mold may grow across the top. Once this mixture has fermented, continue to the next steps so that seeds do not germinate.

4. Think about where to put the tomato seed mixture, because inevitably it will smell. You may want to cover your mixture with a mesh screen to keep out fruit flies.

5. After fermenting, add water and stir. Mature seeds will sink to the bottom. If a seed is light enough to float, it is probably not fully formed, mature, or viable. Don’t save these seeds.

6. Pour off the pulpy mixture but not the viable seeds in the bottom of your container.

7. Pour the remaining liquid into a kitchen strainer, and wash thoroughly under the faucet until the seeds are clean.

8. Drain, and then spread the seeds out thinly on a surface to dry. Any substrate to help them dry as quickly as possible will work: coffee filter, paper plates, paper towel, or wax paper. It is best to dry seeds out of direct sunlight; this can take up to four weeks.

9. Store the seeds in an envelope or seed packet, and place it in a dry, cool location. You can assess the quality of your storage conditions by adding the room temperature in Fahrenheit plus relative humidity. Try to keep that number under 100; the lower the number, the better the conditions for seed storage.

But don’t forget to follow the most important rule: Put a label on everything, every step of the way. In the words of our collection curator, “No one wants to plant something, thinking they have one variety and end up with something else.”

So save seeds from your favorite tomatoes, plant them out next spring, and help put an end to rubber ball syndrome, one tomato at a time.

Note from a seed saver: Tomatoes will most commonly self-pollinate, so seeds saved will remain “true to type” without risk of cross-pollination. However, there are always exceptions. Some tomatoes can cross-pollinate; this is dependent on many factors, such as flower shape, environment, and biodiversity. To ensure seed purity you may want to plant only one variety, spread different varieties throughout your garden, or know which varieties you are planting.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

Buy at Amazon

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Flat Soaker Hose 75 150 FT for Garden Beds

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Consistent & Even Watering Drip Irrigation Hose: Makes use of a clog-resistant fabric cover recycled vinyl for consistent slow soaking seep throughout its entire length. Deliver water to the entire area that it covers. Only certain areas of your garden bed getting watered. For waste-free watering in garden beds and other tight spaces. Waters the base of the plants so less water-related leaf damage. Linkable Garden Soaker Hose For DIY Irrigation System: End to end connectable drip water hose, flexible versatile Above-ground or bury it below a up to 3-inch layer of mulch or soil; this fit with garden hose threads and come with rust resistant end caps that make it possible to connect multiple hoses and works well with timers. Maneuverability And 100% Environmentally Friendly Drip Hose: Double layer design PVC Covered With Extra-Strength Fabric material protect from sun damage than rubber weeping hose; ensure the longevity of the soaker hose, which is ideal for you using it regularly through all seasons in your garden. Made of 100% environmentally friendly recycled vinyl, pass CA65 test, water is safe for ground which makes it perfect for use with vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. Easy To Store Flat Soaker Hose: This irrigation drip hose flat design is kink-resistant, lies flat makes it a breeze to roll up and store for next season.The flat shape also makes it simple to snake under existing plant growth. One-Year Warranty on Flat Soaker Hoses: Ensure a water pressure of 40-90 psi for best results—hot water is not suitable.

Buy at Amazon