Growing Guides

Roma VF tomato is one of the most popular solid tomato varieties. It is widely used in pasta, sauces, and canning because of its low water content! The fruit grows on compact vines, ripens up to 78 days, and reaches 3 ounces. How to grow Roma tomatoes is a common query due to their popularity.

Tomatoes were first introduced to Italy thanks to European explorers from South America. People feared the unknown tomato for a long time and considered it poisonous, using it only for decoration. In the 18th century, everything changed, and now this vegetable is always present in our diet.

How to Grow Roma VF Tomato: Sowing: Start growing indoor tomatoes 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 "deep, 1" apart. Maintain a germination temperature of 70-75 degrees F, provide light, and keep the soil moist. When the second set of leaves appears, transplant the seedlings into separate pots and bury the stems down to the lowest set of leaves. It is recommended to expose them to the weather a week before planting to harden the plant in the afternoon. Repot the tomatoes when the frost threat is gone and the soil temperature has reached at least 70 degrees F. When using a trellis, arrange plants 2′ apart, but if allowing vines to grow, place plants 3-4′ apart. Carrots and onions are considered companion plants; also, you should avoid cabbage or other tomatoes.

Roma tomato spacing: 18-24″.

Roma VF Tomato Growing : Tomatoes are thermophilic; temperatures below 55 degrees F can damage them, so protect the plants if necessary. Water the plants once a week and mulch to retain moisture. Determinate or bush-type tomatoes do not require staking.

Soil requirements for Roma VF tomato: Moist, fertile, composted, well-drained.

Roma VF tomato days to germination: 5-14 days.

Light preference of Roma VF tomato: Full Sun.

Life cycle of Roma VF tomato: Annual.

Roma VF tomato plant height: Typically, the height can reach up to 60 inches, making it essential to consider support structures.

How and when to harvest Roma VF tomato: The ripeness of tomatoes can be determined by gently pressing on them. If the pulp gives in slightly, then the fruit is ripe. If the stem does not come off the vine, cut it off with scissors. Harvest the entire crop before the first frost. Unripe tomatoes will mature over time if stored in a warm place out of direct sunlight.

Days to maturity: Up to 80 days.

Seed saving: Cross-pollination between most tomato varieties is unlikely, so isolation is not required. Cut perfectly ripe tomatoes in half horizontally and squeeze the pulp into a container. Also, you can chop small tomatoes in a blender. The mixture should ferment for several days or until a thick layer of mold forms to remove the gelatinous layer on the seeds. Drain all but the good seeds, rinse them under running water, then lay them out to dry out of direct sunlight. Stir twice a day and use a fan to speed up drying if the air is humid—store seeds in a cool, dry place for up to four years.

FAST FACTS:

• Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum
• Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Determinate, Warm Season
• USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
• Seeds per Ounce: 10,000
• Planting Method: From Transplant
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Grow Roma tomatoes to enjoy a plentiful harvest in your home garden!
• Color: Red