How To Save Tomato Seeds

 I know that saving tomato seeds is a mystery to a lot of people. There are so many different ways to do this. What is the correct way?
I can't say that there's one correct way. I can only share how I was taught to save tomato seeds by Tomato Jim Wyant. It's the fermenting method. I successfully did this last year and grew tomatoes from those that I saved, so I can attest that it does work.

First, you want a specimen that is very ripe. Like if it's past ripe, that's even better! I saved 4 varieties this morning: Prairie Fire, Wolverine, Yamali Yellow and Bug Tussle Buttermilk Wonder. This is how I did it.

First, I determined which varieties that I wanted to save seeds from.

The variety in the above photo is called Wolverine. It's a stunning looking tomato with a great taste. It's definitely worth saving.
Below is a variety that I obtained from Tomato Jim Wyant called Bug Tussle Buttermilk Wonder. It's my first time to grow a white variety. I was not disappointed. This was one of the best tasting tomatoes that I've ever had. It's definitely a keeper and I'll grow more than one plant of it next year, for sure!

One of the other varieties that I saved seeds from is called Yamali Yellow. It's in the above photo. This particular variety is from my favorite tomato breeder, Tom Wagner. I like his stuff because he's a fellow Washingtonian, like me. I could not find this variety for sale from any seed vendor in the United States. A very kind friend, who lives outside of the United States, sent me the seeds. I'm forever in her debt for getting me the Yamali collection.

Next, I wrote what the variety is on a piece of paper towel.

Then, you simply cut the tomato in half and scoop the seeds out into a jar or a glass. I use Solo cups. I use the end of a metal measuring spoon to help me get all the seeds out.

The seeds and part of the pulp go into the Solo cup.

Then I top it with a couple of inches of water. If you are using city water, I'd recommend using bottled spring water. I am on a well and our water tests out fantastic, so I just use that.

 Top the glass/cup with the paper towel. You can also use a coffee filter. They work really well, too. Secure with a rubber band. Put in a dark, not-to-warm spot for a few days and then start checking them. Once you see mold on the top of the water, you should be good to go.

The mold indicates that the gel that encases the tomato seed has fermented off and your seeds are ready to be rinsed and dried. I'll post another blog once I'm ready to do the final cleaning of the seeds, so stay tuned for that.

Once all is said and done, the birds get a nice tomato snack! They will love that!

Homestead Happenings End of June 2023

 We've had some things go on around here on Kelpie Kapers Farms lately. First off, let's talk about poultry. Our flock is growing up fast. We did wind up with a rooster. Twice it's got a guinea fowl by the neck. Today, Bob took a stick to it. It's been pretty docile ever since. Bob didn't hurt it at all, but he did scare it and that's just what it needed. It was pretty comical watching him swat it in the butt with that stick, though. I'm not even going to pretend anything different. It needs to learn that it cannot attack the guineas.

The black and white bird is the rooster. From what everyone is telling me, he is a Barred Rock. I'll be honest in saying that it bums me out because he was supposed to be an Olive Egger. Apparently, I only have one of those now.

Here he is guarding his flock. I've been calling him Walter. I don't know why. He just looks like a Walter to me.

This is one of my favorite chickens. This is one of the Copper Dominants. These are the ones that lay those deep, rich, chocolate colored brown eggs. 

The Copper Dominants and the Novogens. Novogens lay dark brown eggs, as well.

Two Copper Dominants, an Americaunas and a couple of the guinea fowl.

This is a Silver Laced Wyandotte.

This is the Gold Laced Wyandotte. It's a pretty gentle bird.

All in all, I would have to say that I think this flock is pretty happy. I know that our run is plenty big enough for them all, as well.

For the most part, they coexist well with each other.

One of the Americaunas on top of the kennels that we put in there for shelter.

The Novogens have discovered the roosts that we put up.

My little turkeys are growing up. They are quite hilarious when they try to flex and show who is the boss. We let them go at it and watch for blood. If there's blood, we will have to separate that bird until it heals or the others will go at it until they kill it. Chickens act like little raptors, after all.

Here are the guinea keets. I've named them Heckle, Jeckle and Freckle. They should start letting me know if they are male or female fairly soon. Females will make a 2 syllable sound much like "buck wheat". Males are one syllable. Females can imitate a male but a male cannot imitate a female.

These turkeys are so friendly and like to be around Bob so much that we've dubbed them Turkey Puppies. They are Broadbreasted Whites. I would like to get some more turkeys, but I'd like to get some heritage varieties. These were developed for meat production. We'll let them go as long as we can, but they will wind up in the freezer.

Here are the two little toms fighting for who is the boss.

Our friend, Cody, got a new puppy. Koda is an 11 week old Siberian Husky. He brought Koda over to introduce him to us and to Rose. He and Rose just played and played. We are looking for a new brother for Rose now. I've put out a few inquiries about adopting a couple of dogs in the herding class. I figure that out of all the inquiries, one should, at least, pan out for us.

Cody has chickens, so Koda knows about them.

Isn't he the cutest little squirt??

Moving on from the birds and the cute puppy, I've gotten my first tomatoes on the plants. A couple of Heinz varieties and the Cream Sausage have set fruit.

I wound up with 62 plants out on the trellis.

The squash and cucumbers are growing right along. We felt okay putting these out into the raised beds because, for whatever reason, the deer and rabbits leave them alone.

Deciding to grow the peppers in the greenhouse is one of the best decisions, as far as gardening, that I've ever made.

The eggplant are growing well, too. Some better than others, but I do hope to get eggplant this year.
I want to make my own Baba Ganoush. I love that stuff!

This eggplant has far exceeded my expectations. The seeds came from Baker Creek. I think, going forward, I'll use only Baker Creek as my source for eggplant seeds.

Just look at how healthy those peppers are!!

They are setting blooms and...

Margaret's is the first to set fruit!

These are the first successful peppers that I've ever grown out from seed. I'll be really expanding what I grow next year, as far as peppers. I've already started trading seeds for new varieties.

This is what has been going on around here lately. That and we've had some pretty spectacular looking deer that have been hanging out. This guy...I can't even! LOL!

I Call Fowl!!

 It's time for an update on our poultry. I'm happy to report the chickens are now out of the coop. Today was their first day out. Today, coincidentally, is the day that we got our turkey chicks and guinea fowl. We got 3 of each. I gave a guy some tomato plants and he gave me back birds in return. I can hang with that.

I haven't been able to get out to see the girls much since we brought them home. Today, this is what I was looking at. They all looked to have all their feathers, so I told Bob to toss them outside and clean the coop out. It was pretty bad in there.

So, all that gross junk is gone. The chickens can now come and go as they choose.

Today, these guys showed up. The white ones are turkeys and the others are guinea fowl.

All 15 Henriettas love being out. They were so cramped in that coop, even though it's pretty big inside.

They are loving getting explore their new world.

This is one of our turkey kids.

You can definitely tell that they have "cliques". There are some of the chickens that really hang together in definite groups. 

The turkeys and the guineas hang out together. It's like having little gangs in the chicken 'hood.

Rose keeps them all rounded up. She's a pretty good guard dog.

Rose patrols the perimeter, looking for birds trying to escape.

They've discovered their wings. 

They've learned about the roosts.

Now, they are eating and  drinking from their new feeders and waters. We put a wading pool in there and added in some dirt so that they can take dust baths.

Tonight will their first night without a heat lamp.
Wish us luck!