How to Soak Tomato Seeds to Sprout for Planting
Tomato seeds don't necessarily need to be soaked before they are planted. But if you want your tomato seeds to germinate more quickly after they are planted, a good soak will do just the trick. The water softens the seed and can cut germination time down to a few days. Soaking seeds in hot water is also a good way to kill any bacteria they might harbor. However, tomato seeds should never be soaked until they sprout. The seedlings need air to breath and should always sprout in soil.
Heat water in a pot until a thermometer placed in the water reaches and maintains 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Soak the seeds in the water for 25 minutes while stirring and monitoring them constantly.
- Tomato seeds don't necessarily need to be soaked before they are planted.
- Soaking seeds in hot water is also a good way to kill any bacteria they might harbor.
Remove the seeds from the hot bath and place them directly into a bowl of cold water to stop the heating process. Leave them to soak in the water for 24 hours.
Spread the tomato seeds out on a few sheets of newspaper to dry.
Plant the seeds as soon as they are dry.
Harvest Tomato Seeds For Planting
Cut a fully mature tomato in half. This takes approximately five days. Strain the seeds through cheesecloth to remove the remaining water without losing the smalls seeds. Cover a tray with paper towels. Place the dried seeds in an envelope or sealed jar. Store in a cool, dark place until planting time.
- Remove the seeds from the hot bath and place them directly into a bowl of cold water to stop the heating process.
- Strain the seeds through cheesecloth to remove the remaining water without losing the smalls seeds.
Tip
Freshly harvested seeds tolerate the hot water treatment better than seeds that are 1 to 2 years old. If you are unsure of how old your tomato seeds are, skip the first step and simply soak your seeds for 24 hours.
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Tips
- Freshly harvested seeds tolerate the hot water treatment better than seeds that are 1 to 2 years old. If you are unsure of how old your tomato seeds are, skip the first step and simply soak your seeds for 24 hours.
Writer Bio
Based in Houston, Texas, Meg Butler is a professional farmer, house flipper and landscaper. When not busy learning about homes and appliances she's sharing that knowledge. Butler began blogging, editing and writing in 2000. Her work has appered in the "Houston Press" and several other publications. She has an A.A. in journalism and a B.A. in history from New York University.
