How to Plant Roma Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a popular homegrown vegetable. They require a relatively small amount of growing space when staked upright instead of being allowed to sprawl on the ground. Tomato plants can produce 8 to 10 pounds or more of fruit per plant. Tomatoes are a warm-season plant and should only be planted outside after all danger of frost is gone. Roma tomatoes produce fruit in the middle of summer. Roma tomatoes are about 3 ounces and are oval-shaped. Roma tomato plants grow to 4 feet tall. This variety is also resistant to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt and nematodes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rototiller
- Complete fertilizer
- Shovel
- Roma Tomato Seedling
- Water
- Tomato Cage
- Clean straw
Instructions
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1
Remove all weeds, sod and plant debris from your planting area. Get rid of all the large rocks, sticks and trash.
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2
Loosen the soil by cultivating the planting area with a rototiller. Make sure the soil is dry or it will clump together and clog the machine.
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3
Spread three pounds of complete fertilizer on every 100 square feet of your growing area two weeks before planting. Work the fertilizer into the soil to the depth of 12 inches.
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4
Dig a hole the same depth as the first two real leaves on your seedling. Tomatoes develop roots along their stem, so they can be planted deeper than other plants. Remove the tomato plant from container and set it into your hole. Water the seedling thoroughly.
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5
Place a tomato cage around your seedling. Staking your Roma tomato plant is done now so you do not disturb the roots later.
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6
Spread clean straw around the newly planted Roma tomato seedling. This mulch will preserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Plant the rest of the tomato plants 2 feet apart with rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
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Tips & Warnings
When purchasing Roma tomato seedlings, choose plants with straight, sturdy stems that are about the thickness of a pencil. There should be 4 to 6 true leaves on the stem. Try to pick plants without blossoms, fruit and insects.
Blossom drop can occur in early spring when the daytime temperature is warm and the nighttime temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect your Roma tomato seedling by creating a plastic tent around your plant during the colder nights.
