Tomato

Basic Information

Seed Number

93

Seed Name

Tomato

Variety

Roma

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Determinate paste tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 12 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

1 weeks

Germination Days

6–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–80 days from transplant

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-85°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

36-48 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

About 1-1.5 in/week; keep moisture consistent to reduce cracking and blossom-end rot risk

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; approximately pH 6.0-6.5

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

3-4 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–95 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5–10+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers support pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start indoors yearly. Paste tomatoes are great for sauce/canning.
Zone 6B Notes: Transplant after frost and when soil has warmed. Provide cages/stakes.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums, calendula, borage, garlic, chives
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Fennel, potatoes, corn very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 6 weeks before May 5 and transplant after frost danger has passed. Determinate Roma plants concentrate much of their crop into a relatively short harvest window.
Germination: Maintain approximately 75-85°F and consistent moisture. Germination usually occurs in 6-10 days.
Harvest: Harvest when fruits reach full red color. Roma tomatoes are meaty, low-moisture paste tomatoes well suited to sauce, paste, canning and cooking.
Seed Saving: Open-pollinated Roma strains can be saved by fermenting seed from fully ripe fruit. Because multiple commercial strains carry the name Roma, maintain seed from your specific packet separately.
Special Care: The generic name Roma is used for several closely related seed strains. This record uses verified characteristics of standard determinate Roma rather than assigning traits from Roma VF or another specifically named strain.
Research Source: Annie's Heirloom Seeds — https://anniesheirloomseeds.com/products/roma-tomato-solanum-lycopersicum — determinate habit, 6-10 day germination, 75-80 day maturity, 6-week indoor start, germination temperature, depth and spacing
Research Source: Gurney's — https://www.gurneys.com/products/roma_vf_tomato-plant — 3-4 foot determinate Roma-type height and 24-36 inch spacing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]