How to Grow Roma Tomato Plants
Roma tomatoes are a variety of plum tomato. These fruits are oblong with a grainy inside texture and contain few seeds. The skin of a Roma tomato is very firm when it is ripe. Unlike other varieties of tomato, Roma tomatoes have a set growing season and ripen all at once rather than a few at a time. These tomatoes are favored by gardeners due to their resistance to common plant diseases and the ease with which they can be processed into tomato paste for sauces. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select an area for planting your Roma tomatoes. The ideal area should be exposed to direct sunlight for the majority of the day. Tomatoes thrive on direct sunlight and should not be grown in the shade.
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Prepare the soil for your tomato plants in mid to late spring. The ideal soil for growing is prepared by mixing compost or manure into the ground with a rake or other gardening tool. If you have naturally sandy or rocky soil, you will need extra compost or manure. This locks in moisture and provides the Roma tomatoes with a nutrient-rich environment in which to thrive.
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Dig a hole about three inches deep for each tomato seedling you intend to plant. Space the holes at least 18 inches from one another to prevent the plants from being crowded as they grow.
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Remove the seedlings from their tray and place in the holes. Do not worry if the holes are deeper than the root base. When the stem of a Roma tomato plant is buried, it will develop roots and absorb extra water and nutrients.
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Water your Roma tomato plants liberally once a week. The tomatoes will not require watering as often if your area is prone to heavy rainfall.
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Provide the plants with a wooden stake for support once they reach 6" to 12" in height. Select a stake for each tomato plant that is at least three feet high. Drive the stake into the ground at least two inches away from the plant to prevent accidental damage to the roots. You may also opt to install tomato cages for added support.
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Harvest the Roma tomatoes when the entire fruit turns a bright red in color. This process will take two to three months, depending on the weather in your area. The warmer the weather is, the quicker Roma tomatoes will ripen.
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