Can You Save Seeds From Better Boy Tomatoes

Saving seeds from tomatoes is a wonderful and efficient way to grow tomatoes since you never have to buy any seeds or new plant starts. It can be tricky wondering what you may get from what seeds and if it is even possible to save certain tomato variety seeds. Can you save seeds from Better Boy tomatoes?

You can save and grow seeds from Better Boy tomatoes; however, they may not grow the same fruit. Better Boy tomatoes are hybrid tomatoes, meaning the seeds come from two heirloom variety tomatoes. Their seeds have to come from these two heirloom varieties to make that specific tomato again. 

In today’s article, we will go in-depth talking about saving seeds, how to save seeds and which tomatoes are the best and easiest to save and grow! Keep on reading to learn more. 

How to Save and Store Seeds From Tomatoes

It is important to know that once tomatoes are fully ripe, is when you can start saving their seeds. Again, you can save any tomato seed you want. However, if you are saving hybrid seeds, you can’t expect anything from them! They could turn out to be something completely different from the tomato seeds you saved. You must save heirloom variety seeds if you want exactly what you think you are getting. Here is a step by step guide to saving your tomato seeds. 

1. Cut your tomato from top to bottom and scoop out the seeds from the inside, pulp in all.
2. Place the scoop into a mason jar or a bowl (I typically use a jar, I find it a little easier; however, either works just fine). You can leave the jar uncovered or place a cheesecloth over top of it to keep the flies out. 
3. Begin the fermentation process by leaving the jar in a warm sunny spot; add water if there isn’t enough pulp around your seeds. 
4. Check on your jar every day and give it a light swirl. You will know this process is over when all the seeds have sunk to the bottom, and there is a layer of pulp and scum looking liquid at the top.
5. Next, carefully use a spoon to remove the scum layer from the top. Then pour the seeds through a strainer. Try removing as much off of the seeds as you can by running them underwater.
6. Dry off the seeds by patting them with a paper towel, then transfer them to a nonstick surface. Using a standard dinner plate works perfectly. Set the plate in a warm, dry spot and wait! This part usually takes about 2-3 weeks for the seeds to completely dry. 
7. Once completely dry, they are ready to store. Scrape them off the plate and put them in a sealed envelope. You can place that envelope in a sealed tin or different sealed container, and if stored properly, they can last up to 5 years. 

Always make sure to label your seeds! 

How to Grow Tomatoes From Seed

Growing from seed is far superior to getting your seed started for many reasons. You will always know the timeline of your plant. This is important so you know exactly when to plant your plant in its final destination and if it starts to flower early or not.

You also know the source of the soil. Soil can carry many diseases, and often times when you get started at a store; the soil can have a disease that can ruin your garden. You can also pick up some nasty bugs if you get starts at a store. So, if you have the time and the ability to start your tomatoes from seed, do it! It feels so rewarding, and it’s fun and easy. Here is how to get started. 

Gather Your Soil

• Having well fertilized soil is essential, especially for tomatoes that need a lot of nutrients to grow. 

Get Starter Seed Trays

• There is a lot of wiggle room to play around and get creative here. Starter trays can be anything from the plastic store bought trays to cardboard egg cartons. 

Fill Your Trays

• Make sure your soil isn’t too dry, but not soaking wet either. Add a little bit of water to moisten and soften the soil. Fill your tray, but don’t overpack the soil.

Plant Your Seeds

• Most times, it will tell you how deep to make the hole to plant on your seed packet. But usually, a good rule of thumb is to go about 1/4 of an inch deep. I press my pinky into each pocket, making small little holes. Place one seed in each hole. 

Create a Greenhouse Effect

• Seeds germinate the best in a very warm, humid environment. Having your trays under grow lights and under plastic is the best environment, but if you cannot do so, keep them indoors by a window. You can purchase plastic covers for the starter trays, the best option. Water your seeds, making sure the trays stay moist. Once the seeds have a few leaves and start poking out of the soil, you can feed them with liquid nitrogen.

Transplant

Once your tiny plants are about 2-4 inches tall with a decent root system, you can transplant your starts into small pots. Pots that about 3-4 inches work best for this next transplant. 

Transplant into Final Planting Place

• Your starts can hang out in those secondary pots until you see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, or they are about 5-8 inches. Then you can plant them in their final destination, whether that be in a raised bed, a larger pot, or directly in the ground. 

And there you have it! It may seem overwhelming to start your plants from seed, but it’s simple and super fun! 

Best Tomatoes to Grow From Seed

So as we discussed, the Better Boy tomato can’t be recreated by saving seeds. So if you want to grow the Better Boy tomato, you must get the seeds from a company that has made Better Boys. Better Boys have a typical germination rate of 8-10 days. Let’s compare some of the best tomatoes to grow from seed. These are all seeds you could save and store yourself, as they are all heirloom varieties. 

Tomato Variety	Germination Rate
Black Cherry	5-7 days
Beefsteak	6-8 days
Brandywine	10-14 days
Cherokee Purple	7-14 days
German Green	7-14 days

Starting tomatoes from seeds is a fun and easy adventure. Although delicious, Better Boy tomatoes have to be bought because they are hybrids! But saving seeds for heirloom tomatoes is a great way to grow your garden next season and for many seasons to come. Happy gardening!