My first efforts at seed-saving and starting seedlings indoors.

I've been growing heirloom tomatoes in containers for a few years now. I retired in April, so I decided to spend a bit more time trying to get it right than just haphazardly growing and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I've also bought starts every year (which is getting pretty pricey!).

So here's what I've been up to:

One of two tomato trellises from last year (7 heirlooms + two hybrid cherry varieties). These four pots contain Cherokee Purple, a red cherry hybrid, Japanese Black Trifele, and Kelloggs Breakfast. (If you look carefully you can see nearly ripe tomatoes on the right two plants and three very green Cherokee Purples on the left, and tons of cherry tomatoes.)



My (tomato) seed saving. I saved seeds from all but one of the hybrids. (Valenca - a yellow tomato - was OK, but not worth growing again.)




This year's tomato seedlings from last year's seeds (as well as cilantro (purchased seeds), basil, ground cherry, and (soon) three versions of pepper from my CSA's seed swap last Saturday). The tomatoes and cilantro were planted two weeks ago today. The basil was planted 6 days ago.



I planted two seeds in each cell, since I wasn't sure about my seed saving techniques. Aside from one variety, I had near 100% germination. I'm pretty sure I just let the Pink Boars ferment too long - I saved two batches and the second batch of seeds looks much healthier.)