Tomato Seeds - Paste - Rio Grande
80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Rio Grande Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat tolerant, determinate, paste tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Fusarium Wilt 1, Fusarium Wilt 2, and Verticillium Wilt. A great sauce tomato with a rich, sweet flavor. ~10,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Rio Grande Paste Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden
In cooler climates, Rio Grande seeds are best started indoors in early spring. 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 Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande 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 soil-less starting mixture. Feed your resilient Rio Grande tomatoes by scattering a fertilizer of choice (compost tea also works) at the base of the plants throughout the season. Water Rio Grande 1-2 inches per week, depending on natural precipitation rates. Varieties like Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande Paste Tomatoes
Harvest Rio Grande 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. Rio Grande paste tomatoes are a determinate bush variety and will have just a few weeks of intense harvest.
About Rio Grande Paste Tomato Garden Seeds
This durable and sensational variety of tomatoes is resistant to Fusarium Wilt 1, Fusarium Wilt 2, and Verticillium Wilt. Although Rio Grande tomatoes are primarily grown and harvested for cooking, historically, they've been used for other things. For example, tomato paste has even been used in the past to clean copper cookware and brass objects.
Tomatoes grown from Rio Grande tomato seeds are paste tomatoes. They are commonly used for pasta sauces, purees, and vegetable smoothies. Less common but nevertheless delicious dishes include tomato pies and jams, and even tomato cakes and ice creams.
Unlike most transplants, tomatoes should be buried deeper than they were in their seedling pots. Up to two-thirds of the plant can be buried. Once established, heirloom Rio Grande tomato seeds grow into determinate plants that reach 1 to 6 feet high. For higher plants, stakes are recommended.
Like all tomato varieties, Rio Grande 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. Rio Grande 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!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Rio Grande Paste Tomato Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg packet - Approximately 88 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 10,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 40,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 160,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Rio Grande Paste Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Solanum lycoperscium (previously Lycopersicon esculentum) |
| Tomato Type: | Paste - These are oblong and often called Roma-type tomatoes. They have a lower water content. While they can be used in the same ways as slicing and salad tomatoes, they are most commonly used for canning and making tomato sauce or paste. |
| Rio Grande Tomato Color: | Red |
| Rio Grande Tomato Flavor: | Sweet, rich, meaty texture |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Annual: Not intended to overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 80 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 18 to 36 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18 to 36 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Determinate - Determinate tomatoes are more compact, bush-type plants that set their fruit all at once and end the harvest. They won't continue to produce tomatoes after that. By planting multiple plants in intervals a week apart, you can continue to harvest for longer periods. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. |
| Plant Width: | 18 to 36 inches |
| Germination Temperature: | 65-85 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Fusarium Wilt 1, Fusarium Wilt 2, Verticillium Wilt. Common pests known to harm tomato plants, in general, include the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, flea beetles, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies. Also, watch for common diseases such as blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Most of these can be prevented by maintaining a regular watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. Regularly check your plants for pest damage throughout the season. For treating pest and disease problems, we recommend using an organic neem-based product. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Tomato Use: | Pastes, sauces, stews, soups, etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat-tolerant |