{"product_id":"italian-roma-heirloom-tomato-seeds","title":"Italian Roma, Heirloom Tomato Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eItalian Roma, Heirloom Tomato Seeds — The Classic Italian Paste and Canning Tomato, Up to 200 Fruits Per Plant, Meaty Thick-Walled Plum-Shaped Fruits, Determinate, 70–80 Days\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eItalian Roma (\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e) is the tomato that built a culinary tradition. One of the most productive and trusted paste tomatoes in the world, Roma produces firm, meaty, oblong plum-shaped fruits 3–6 inches long with thick walls, a small seed cavity, very few seeds, and rich, concentrated tomato flavor developed over generations of Italian kitchen gardening. Compact determinate plants are extraordinarily productive — up to 200 fruits per plant — ripening in a concentrated window that is ideal for canning, sauce making, and freezing in large batches. The definitive home canning tomato. 70–80 days from transplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Italian Roma?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUp to 200 fruits per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e — extraordinary productivity from compact determinate plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThick-walled, meaty flesh\u003c\/strong\u003e — small seed cavity, few seeds, low moisture content; ideal for sauce and canning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3–6 inch plum-shaped fruits\u003c\/strong\u003e — easy to peel, minimal waste, excellent for whole canning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcentrated ripening window\u003c\/strong\u003e — determinate habit means fruits ripen together, perfect for processing large batches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRich, full Italian heirloom flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e — deep tomato taste that intensifies when cooked down into sauce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer-friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e — compact bush habit works in large pots and raised beds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoma is the workhorse of the Italian kitchen. Cook down into classic marinara or simple pomodoro sauce — the low moisture and thick walls mean faster cooking with less simmering time than slicing tomatoes. Can be used whole in water or crushed for year-round use. Freeze whole after blanching for easy winter cooking. Make tomato paste by roasting halved fruits in the oven until reduced. Slice thin and dry in the oven or a dehydrator for sun-dried tomatoes preserved in olive oil. Use as a pizza sauce base. Roast halves with garlic, olive oil, and thyme for a rich, concentrated oven-roasted sauce. At peak ripeness, Roma is also excellent eaten fresh — thick, meaty slices on bruschetta or in caprese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePeeling Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo peel easily for canning or sauce: score an X on the bottom of each fruit, blanch in boiling water for 30–60 seconds, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. The skin slips off cleanly. Roma's firm flesh holds up perfectly through this process with minimal waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart 6–8 weeks before last frost indoors. Sow ¼–½ inch deep at 70–85°F for germination in 5–10 days. Transplant outdoors after frost when soil is consistently warm — cold soil stunts tomatoes. Bury the stem deep at transplant — tomatoes root along buried stems for a stronger, more drought-resistant plant. Space 18–24 inches apart in full sun. Cage or stake — determinate, but plants carry heavy fruit loads. Water deeply and consistently — inconsistent moisture causes blossom end rot and cracking; mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Fertilize at transplant and again at first fruit set with a phosphorus and calcium-rich fertilizer to prevent blossom end rot. Harvest when fully red and firm. Determinate plants ripen the crop in a concentrated window — plan your canning sessions accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePest \u0026amp; Disease Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch for hornworms, aphids, and whiteflies. Rotate tomatoes with non-solanaceous crops annually. Remove lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce soil-splash disease. Mulch heavily to protect against soil-borne pathogens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70–80 days from transplant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 days at 70–85°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–6 inches, oblong plum-shaped\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep red\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlesh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThick, meaty, few seeds, small seed cavity, low moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, full, concentrated — deepens when cooked\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 200 fruits per plant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeterminate compact bush — stake or cage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e¼–½ inch; bury stem deep at transplant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertile, well-drained, consistently moist; pH 6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (8+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemp Preference\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e65–85°F; warm soil at transplant critical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupport\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCage or stake — heavy fruit load\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Cue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFully red and firm; concentrated ripening window\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHornworms, aphids, whiteflies; rotate crops annually\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–12 (warm-season annual)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"~25+ Seeds","offer_id":41712248389766,"sku":"OD-2585-223--30","price":2.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"~50+ Seeds","offer_id":41712248422534,"sku":"OD-50-85-223--30","price":4.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/image_cae3c88d-f65b-4a11-befc-39f5b1202793.png?v=1790889769","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/italian-roma-heirloom-tomato-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}