Roma tomato: everything you need to know about cultivation, care and harvest

As an experienced farmer, I have grown many tomato varieties over the years, but none have impressed me as much as the Roma tomato. This strain is not only easy to grow, but also very productive. In this article I will teach you everything you need to know about growing, caring for and harvesting Roma tomatoes.

What are Roma tomatoes?

The Roma tomato is an elongated tomato variety with a thick, fleshy wall and few seeds. It has a high sugar content and low acidity, making it ideal for processing into tomato sauces and preserves. Roma tomatoes are also a great choice for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes that call for tomatoes.

Table comparing the variety with other common varieties

Sort	Height	Shape	color	Maturity	Taste
Ox heart tomato	Large to very large	Heart-shaped	Red	Late	Fruity, sweet
Adarys tomato	Medium to large	Round	Red	Early	Mild, sweet
San Marzano tomato	Medium	Oval	Red	Late	Intense, sweet
Black Cherry Tomato	Small	Round	Dark red to black	Medium	Sweet, spicy
Green Zebra Tomato	Medium	Round	Striped green and yellow	Medium	Fresh, sweet and sour
Brandywine Tomato	Large	Round	Red	Late	Sweet, fruity
Yellow Pear Tomato	Small	pear-shaped	Yellow	Medium	Fruity, sweet
Roma tomato	Medium	Oval	Red	Medium	Fleshy, mild
Purple Cherokee Tomato	Medium	Round	Dark purple	Late	Fruity, spicy

Preparation for cultivation

Before you start growing Roma tomatoes, you should make sure that your soil is well prepared. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. If your soil is low in organic matter, you can add compost or fertilizer to boost nutrients.

• Soil preparation: Prepare the soil by digging it up thoroughly and enriching it with compost or fertilizer. Roma tomatoes prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Variety selection: select a Roma tomato variety that is suitable for your climate and location. There are many different varieties, but some tried-and-true options include San Marzano and Amish Paste.
• Sowing: Start sowing your Roma tomatoes about six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your region. Plant the seeds in nursery pots or trays and keep the soil temperature constant at around 24°C. Maintain soil moisture until seeds germinate.
• Care: As soon as the Roma tomato plants are about 15 cm tall, you can move them to the garden or to a larger pot. Be sure to leave enough space between plants to give them enough room to grow. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
• Protection: Protect your Roma tomato plants from pests and diseases by regularly checking them and applying pesticides or fungicides if necessary.

By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for a successful harvest of your Roma tomatoes.

When should Roma tomatoes be planted?

Roma tomatoes should be planted in spring when the soil temperature is at least 10 degrees Celsius. They can also be planted in summer if you live in a cooler region. Make sure you leave enough space between plants to allow them to grow and spread well.

Seminar prices compared to other common varieties

Sort	Number of seeds	Price	price per seed
Roma tomato	100	€5.99	€0.06
Togorific tomato	50	€3.49	€0.07
Tomato Vivagrande	10	€2.99	€0.30
Tomato Resibella	25	€2.49	€0.10
Tomato San Marzano	30	€4.99	€0.17
Cherry tomato	50	€2.99	€0.06
Cocktail tomato	20	€3.49	€0.17
Beefsteak tomato	10	€4.99	€0.50
Yellow tomato	30	€3.99	€0.13

A small calendar from me for beginners

month	Activity
March	Purchase of Roma tomato seeds
April	Preparing the soil and planting the seeds
May	Fertilizing the plants and removing weeds
June	Control of pests and diseases
July	Thinning out the plants and supporting them with support sticks
August	Harvesting the first ripe tomatoes
September	Continued harvest and preparation for fall
October	Removal of plants and preparation of soil for winter

Tips for growing Roma tomatoes

• Choose a sunny spot for your Roma tomato plants.
• Ensure good ventilation and avoid standing water.
• Use compost or fertilizer to nourish the soil.
• Remove dead leaves and damaged fruit regularly.
• Use organic pesticides and fungicides to minimize pests and diseases.

Caring for Roma tomatoes

Roma tomatoes need regular water to grow and thrive. It is best to water them in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation. Make sure the soil is always moist but not too wet. You should also make sure the tomato plants are getting enough sunlight to grow well. At least six hours of sunlight per day is ideal.

Here is a table with the 10 most popular fertilizers for Roma tomatoes and their prices:

Fertilizers	Price (per 1 kg)
Compost	€1.50
Horn shavings	€4.50
Prehistoric Rock Powder	€2.50
Guano	€8.00
bone meal	€3.00
blood meal	€4.50
Vinasses	€7.00
rock dust	€2.00
Chicken manure	€3.50
horse manure	€2.50

Pests and diseases

Roma tomatoes are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases including aphids, spider mites and blossom end rot. To protect your plants from these problems, you can use organic pesticides and fungicides. It’s also important to weed regularly and remove dead leaves to minimize disease and pests.

Harvest of Roma tomatoes

Roma tomatoes should be harvested when they are fully ripe and red in colour. They should be easy to pick off the plant without being too hard or too soft. If you have a large harvest, you can also preserve the tomatoes or make them into a sauce to enjoy them all year round.

Comparison with other tomato varieties

Roma tomatoes have a number of advantages compared to other tomato varieties such as cherry tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes. For example, they are more resistant to diseases and pests than other varieties. They also have a higher sugar content and thicker wall, making them ideal for making tomato sauces and preserves. However, if you’re looking for a tomato that works well in salads or sandwiches, other varieties such as beefsteak tomatoes might be a better fit.

Table: Comparison of different tomato varieties

Sort	Properties	Purpose
Roma tomatoes	Thick flesh, few seeds, low acidity, high sugar content, resistant to diseases and pests	Tomato sauces, preserves
Cherry tomatoes	Small, sweet, juicy, high acidity, more susceptible to diseases and pests	Salads, snacks, side dishes
Beefsteak Tomatoes	Large, fleshy, less acidic, more susceptible to diseases and pests	Sandwiches, burgers, salads

Roma tomatoes – köögis!

Here are the 5 most popular dishes with Roma tomatoes and their short recipes:

1. Pasta with tomato sauce: Ingredients: Roma tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, salt, pepper and basil. Preparation: Fry the onions and garlic in olive oil. Cut Roma tomatoes into small pieces and add. Season with salt and pepper and simmer over medium heat until a thick sauce forms. Garnish with basil and pour over cooked pasta.
2. Caprese Salad: Ingredients: Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Preparation: Slice Roma tomatoes and mozzarella and arrange on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil.
3. Bruschetta: Ingredients: Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and baguette. Preparation: Cut Roma tomatoes into small pieces and place in a bowl. Finely chop the garlic and add. Season to taste with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Cut the baguette into slices and toast in the oven or in a pan. Top with the tomato mixture and serve.
4. Gazpacho: Ingredients: Roma tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, garlic, olive oil, white wine vinegar, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Preparation: Roughly chop Roma tomatoes, cucumber and peppers and place in a bowl. Finely chop the garlic and add. Season to taste with olive oil, white wine vinegar, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Process everything with a hand blender to a smooth soup and chill. Garnish with basil before serving.
5. Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pizza: Ingredients: Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto, pizza dough, olive oil, salt and pepper. Preparation: Roll out the pizza dough and spread with pesto. Cut Roma tomatoes into slices and spread on the dough. Cut the mozzarella into slices and spread on the pizza. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for about 12-15 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Conclusion

Roma tomatoes are an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a high-yielding and easy-care tomato variety. With the right preparation and care, you can achieve a large harvest of sweet, fleshy tomatoes that are ideal for making tomato sauces and preserves. Don’t forget to water regularly, minimize pests and diseases, and take good care of your plants to ensure the best possible harvest.