How to Grow Roma Tomatoes
Tomatoes are perhaps the easiest plant, besides zucchini, to grow in a garden. They are commonly grown in vegetable gardens even though they are technically a fruit. There are a variety of tomatoes, each with its own shape, texture and taste. Roma tomatoes are a less juicy type and are milder in flavor than other tomatoes. They are commonly referred to as paste tomatoes as they are great for making tomato paste, ketchup and preserving. Read on to learn more.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Roma seeds
- Roma starts
- Nutrient rich soil
- Fertilizer
- Soaker hose
- Shovel
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1
Grow Roma tomatoes from seed. This can be difficult and is definitely time consuming. Plant seeds in fertile soil and keep in a green house or warm sunny window for two months. Water and fertilize the little plant frequently. Transplant outside when danger of frost is past.
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2
Plant Roma tomatoes from starts for an easier process. Purchase starts from a local nursery. Transplant purchased starts after the danger of frost is past.
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3
Transplant starts in nutrient rich soil and full sun. Dig a hole big enough to cover the tomato plant up to its first set of leaves. Place the plant in the hole and fill in. Cover the first set of leaves to help the plant grow a strong root system.
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4
Water the tomato garden. Water deeply by using a soaker hose. Water every other day in mild climates. Water daily in hot climates.
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5
Fertilize tomatoes weekly. Use an all purpose vegetable fertilizer or tomato fertilizer. Follow package instructions.
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6
Treat tomatoes with an organic pesticide. Treat plants immediately before pests have a chance to start nibbling.
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7
Pick tomatoes when they are fully red. Put unripe tomatoes, that have fallen off the plant, in a window to ripen.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Support tomato plants with a cage or stakes.
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Comments
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We have a Roma tomato plant in a pot on our deck. It has started producing smal green tomatoes butmost of them are rotting before they are very big. Can anyone explain this to me? The plant is growing and looking great but the tomatoes are in bad shape.
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earsz
May 26, 2009
I have two roma tomato plants side by side that are in their second year. My winter was so mild that they continued to grow and produce throughout. By now they are between 3 and 4 feet in height with considerable spread, supported by round wire "cages." The lower parts are dull brown stalks and dry crackily leaves with new growth in the tops and on the sides. Overall, the plants are rather bush-like. The new growth is difficult to support; but if the support were taller, these plants might well grow to 5 feet or so. In general, to a degree I have the same problem of which tipk spoke _ growth out of control, branches tend to break, growth reaches to and lies upon the ground, where new tomatoes tend to be damaged or to rot. To an extent, I pile or drape such new growth on top of the older stalks. Can one prune these plants? What would happen if I cut them back rather severely _ would t... -
tipk
Jun 19, 2008
Early in May I discovered a Roma Tomato plant growing in my back yard. I carefully transplanted the Tomato plant in another area of my yard where it is thriving wonderfully. I have a cage around it and it has out grown the cage so I am using stakes to help support the plant, I have tried to be very careful when handling the branches while tyeing them to the stakes but they break very easily and so I have been trimming the extra branches to try and keep it inside my small garden space. So far I have had success with vines and vines of Tomatoes. I am afraid though that by trimming the extra branches, I may damage the Tomato plant and it has grown so large that the stakes and cage know longer support it. Has anyone any advise on how to control the plant without damaging the branches and vines?
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tipk
Jun 19, 2008
Early in May I discovered a Roma Tomato plant growing in my back yard. I carefully transplanted the Tomato plant in another area of my yard where it is thriving wonderfully. I have a cage around it and it has out grown the cage so I am using stakes to help support the plant, I have tried to be very careful when handling the branches while tyeing them to the stakes but they break very easily and so I have been trimming the extra branches to try and keep it inside my small garden space. So far I have had success with vines and vines of Tomatoes. I am afraid though that by trimming the extra branches, I may damage the Tomato plant and it has grown so large that the stakes and cage know longer support it. Has anyone any advise on how to control the plant without damaging the branches and vines?
