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Tangy, rich, meaty texture
• Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Large Hanging Basket
• Tomato Use: Pastes, sauces, stews, soups, sun-drying, etc.
• Climate Tolerance: Heat

Growing Organic Roma Paste Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

In cooler climates, Roma seeds are best started 6-8 weeks before the final frost. Begin sowing summer annual tomato plants in early spring with a seed-starting container under grow lights or in a greenhouse. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in a warm, moist seed-starting mix. Use a root growth-focused fertilizer at the time of sowing. Germination will take 1-2 weeks. You can sow Roma Tomato seeds outdoors once the threat of frost has passed or once your region's night temperatures exceed 50 F. These plants prefer full sun and a temperature range of 65-95 F with at least 50 F for germination. After 6 weeks, or once seedlings grow about 4 inches tall with 1-2 sets of true leaves, harden off the plants before transplanting them outdoors. Till rich, composted soil in your planting location of choice and prepare 8-12 inch holes. Remove all of the smaller leaves on each Roma plant, leaving a single top set of sturdy leaves. Plant just 2 inches of the plant above the soil, with only their top set of healthy leaves exposed. This method increases root development and improves plant establishment rates. Space the plants 2 inches apart with 3-4 inches in between rows.

Use a trellis or stake for support as the plant grows. You can also transfer Roma Red Tomatoes to a container at least 14-20 inches wide and 2 inches deep to set on your patio, as this small and shorter bush type grows 2-4 feet tall and doesn't take up too much space. Instead of potting soil, try using a rich soilless starting mixture. Feed your resilient Roma tomatoes by scattering a fertilizer of choice (compost tea also works) at the base of the plants throughout the season. Water Roma 1-2 inches per week, depending on natural precipitation rates. Varieties like Roma Tomato seeds are disease-resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilt. In general, tomatoes prefer full sun and rich, warm, well-drained soil with added compost and a pH level of 6.0-6.8.

Harvesting Roma Organic Paste Tomatoes

Harvest Roma Tomatoes before their skin feels too soft and once their red color is bright. In general, it's recommended to begin harvesting tomatoes once they start to turn in color. Harvest tomato plants by gently pulling the bright-red fruit from their calyx hat with one hand while holding the stem with the other. Ripest tomatoes may be pulled from the vine by hand, while more firm ones should be clipped with shears. Roma paste tomatoes are a determinate bush variety and will have just a few weeks of intense harvest. Although vine-ripened fruit is always preferred, tomatoes can just as easily be harvested early and ripen indoors by being stored in a paper bag or box along with a banana for its ethylene gas.

About Roma Paste Organic Tomato Garden Seeds

Roma tomatoes are suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, greenhouses, and large hanging baskets. It is hardy and resistant to Alternaria Stem Canker, Fusarium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt 1, Late Blight, Root Knot Nematode, Verticillium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt 1. It is hard to get these plants sick!

Organic Roma tomato seeds were originally bred in the 1950's specifically for resistance to Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt (VF). They are among the best Roma tomato seeds for growing plum (paste) tomatoes in containers because of their determinate growth habit.

Famous pear shaped fruits that bring any Italian dish to life. Roma are noted for the juicy paste and few seeds that come from this time-tested tomato. Roma is a mid-season crop that ripens within a 2-3 weeks period for an easy harvest. Also known as paste tomatoes, Organic Roma tomatoes are commonly used in making sauces, pastes, ketchup, and sun-dried tomatoes thanks to their meaty texture and lower water content than tomato varieties that are best for slicing and fresh eating. Roma tomatoes are a favorite among home canners.

Like all tomato varieties, Roma tomato seeds yield fruits rich in lycopene. It is suggested that this antioxidant reduces the risk of heart disease and is good for the eyes, possibly protecting against macular degeneration. It also may combat prostate cancer and cancers of the intestinal region. Roma tomatoes also provide vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. The vitamin B in tomatoes has been linked to reductions in blood pressure and high cholesterol. In the past, tomatoes laid against sunburned skin provided a cooling relief.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"These pear-shaped fruits have a delightful meaty texture and will leave you astonished that you ever bought those grainy Roma tomatoes from the grocery store!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Roma Paste Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 250 mg - Approximately 90 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 10,000 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 40,000 Seeds,
• 1 lb - Approximately 160,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Roma Paste Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.