How to Ferment Seeds

Some home gardeners may wish to take their hobby a step further and save the seeds from one harvest to be planted the following year. While many seeds simply need to be dried before storage, certain seeds will need fermenting beforehand. Fermentation is the process of converting carbohydrates to alcohol, the same as in beer, wine, soy sauce and vinegar. Certain melon seeds as well as cucumber and tomato seeds need to be fermented to remove pathogens and anti-germination compounds which surround the seed.

Spoon
Knife
Measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Paper plate
Plastic container with airtight seal

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape the seeds out of the fruit using a spoon or a knife. Wash all of the excess fruit off of the seeds.
- 2
  Place the seeds in a small measuring cup if you have a lot; use a measuring spoon if you only have a few. Use the measuring device to determine the volume of the seeds that you have.
- 3
  Put the seeds in a container that can be sealed airtight. If you use a clear plastic food storage container you will be able to watch the fermentation process as it happens.
- 4
  Use the measuring device to measure out an amount of water equal to the volume of the seeds. Put this water in the container with the seeds and seal it.
- 5
  Leave the seeds in the container for approximately six days. You will see a gel release from the seeds and form on the top of the water. You will also see all of the seed husks and dead seeds float to the surface. If there is some mold present on the surface of the water this is normal.
- 6
  Pour the water and excess debris out of the container. Wash the seeds several times in water while rubbing them with your fingers to remove any gel coating that may still remain.
- 7
  Lay the seeds out on a paper plate. Lay them in one layer as much as is possible.
- 8
  Leave the seeds on the plate for two weeks. Check them occasionally and rub the clumps of seeds together in your fingers so that they will separate.

Cucumbers & Fertilizing

What Are the Tiny Yellowish Jumping Bugs on My Tomato Plants?

Vegetable Garden