Debate: should I save seeds from my supermarket heirloom tomatoes or just buy new packets every spring?

I tried saving seeds from a $3.99 pack of heirlooms last year and got decent plants but the fruit was smaller and less tasty, while my neighbor insists store-bought seeds lose vigor after one generation, so which side do you land on for keeping costs low?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancym3422d ago

Oh wow, I've had pretty much the same experience with the smaller fruit thing! I think saving seeds is still worth it if you're not picky, but you really have to pick from the biggest and tastiest tomato in your harvest to keep those traits going.

linda30522d agoTop Commenter

@nancym34 I gotta disagree a little though lol. Picking the biggest tomato doesn't always guarantee the seeds will breed true the next year, especially if you're growing hybrids or stuff that cross-pollinated with a neighbor's plant. I've tried just grabbing the biggest fruit from my Cherokee Purples and still got smaller ones with weird shapes the following season. Really think you need to isolate blooms or plant different varieties far apart if you want to keep specific traits going strong.