ROMA TOMATO STARTS

Planting in the Garden

1. Site Selection:
   • Choose a sunny location with rich, moist, organic soil.
   • Avoid planting in areas where tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes grew the previous year to minimize disease risk.
2. Soil Preparation:
   • Turn soil to a depth of 8 inches and remove clumps of grass, stones, and debris.
   • Level the soil for planting.
3. Plant Spacing:
   • Space the Roma seedling plants 30–48 inches apart in rows, with rows 3–4 feet apart.
   • Proper spacing reduces disease risk and improves yield.
4. Planting Instructions:
   • Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball.
   • Loosen the root ball gently to encourage root development.
   • Plant deeply, burying the stem to the first set of leaves to promote root growth and nutrient uptake.
   • Fill the hole with soil, pressing firmly to remove air pockets and create a slight depression around the plant to hold water.
5. Watering:
   • Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and ensure good root-to-soil contact.
6. Support:
   • Install supports (stakes or cages) at planting time.
   • For stakes: Place strong stakes 6 inches from the plant and tie the stems loosely as they grow.
   • For cages: Surround the plant with a cage and let vines grow freely inside.

How to Grow

1. Weed Control:
   • Use mulch or cultivate regularly to keep weeds under control and protect tomato roots.
2. Mulching:
   • Mulch retains soil moisture, maintains even soil temperatures, and prevents root damage.
3. Watering:
   • Provide 1–2 inches of water weekly, using drip irrigation or a trickle system to avoid wetting foliage.
   • Maintain consistent soil moisture to prevent fruit cracking and blossom end rot.
4. Pruning:
   • For staked plants: Allow 1–2 main stems and remove side shoots (suckers).
   • For caged plants: Pruning is optional, but removing lower leaves improves air circulation.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest tomatoes when fully colored and firm. Pick regularly to avoid overloading plants.
• Ripen green tomatoes at room temperature in brown bags or on newspapers.
• Store ripe tomatoes at 50–60°F; avoid refrigeration.

Common Pests and Problems

1. Pests:
   • Aphids: Remove with a strong spray of water or encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
   • Tomato Hornworms: Handpick and remove caterpillars. If white egg cases are present, leave them as they are parasitic wasps that destroy the pest.
   • Nematodes: Avoid planting in infested soil; plant resistant varieties.
2. Diseases:
   • Anthracnose: Prevent by spacing plants, removing diseased debris, and using mulch.
   • Blight: Avoid overhead watering, ensure good air circulation, and rotate crops every 3 years.
   • Wilt Diseases: Rotate crops every 4–5 years and remove infected plants promptly.
   • Septoria Leaf Spot: Remove infected debris and rotate plantings.
3. Fruit Issues:
   • Blossom End Rot: Maintain consistent moisture levels and avoid root disturbance.
   • Fruit Cracking: Ensure even watering and mulch to retain moisture.

Usage Tips

• Tomatoes enhance soups, sauces, stews, and more. Use them for ketchup, paste, juice, and chutneys.
• Remember, tomato foliage is toxic and should not be consumed.