getting seeds from tomatoes

[gardeningmom]

I am going today to pick-up some heirloom tomatoe plants from a lady I found on Craig's List. Can anyone tell me how to harvest the seeds so I can grow and trade seeds next year?

Thanks

[dirtyfingernails]

http://www.seedsave.org/issi/904/beg...html#anchor005
Here you go gardeningmom,
Go to this site to get full instructions for saving heirloom seed.
Have a sparkling day,
Bill

[gardeningmom]

Thanks for the information - I'm not really a seed person (I want instant gratification) but I thought I might give this a try.

[bali]

They wouldnt be true would they ?

[dirtyfingernails]

Good point.
Most tomatoes will seed true.They are more wind pollinated than pollinated by insects.Of course to be sure they should be grown in a greenhouse for more control.Open pollination can be a problem,especially when different strains of the same family of plants are nearby.
Bill

[bali]

See that is my problem I plant so many different varietys of tomatoes..

Thanks.....I never did understand that part..
We have lots of bumble bees and tiny butterfly so far.. That is a good sign . right?

bali

[dirtyfingernails]

bali,
The smaller pollenators do not have very many hairy areas to collect pollen and transfer it.The hovering types of any of the bees are excellent carriers and transfer best.
The biggest problem is that the honey bees are now under attack by Mites that are killing off large numbers of hives. Even here in Fl. honeybees are getting more and more scarce . I have been putting out Mason Bee houses to help these bees propigate .
Also in your area the common Queen Annes Lace attracts a lot of polinators to your gardens . Golden rod is another attractor plant.
Sometimes a weed really is'nt a bad thing.
Bill

[bali]

I agree there......I have a few neighbors with Hives for bees, and they seem to come here to feed.. Lots of bumble bees right now.. Tiny white butterflys.
Queen anns Lace here for sure......

I didnt know that was beneficial..... They are cute dyed colors.