How to Grow Roma Tomatoes

By Juliea Huffaker on June 12, 2024, Updated June 17, 2025

If you want to learn how to grow Roma tomatoes for canning …. You’re in the right place! Growing and canning your own Roma tomatoes is rewarding and satisfying!

You’re able to enjoy the taste of fresh, homegrown tomatoes throughout the year… And you have peace of mind of knowing exactly what went into your canned goods!

I love canning mild salsa, fruity sweet salsa and chunky salsa. Plus I water-bath can tomatoes for the best tomato soup. Roma tomatoes are best because they have less water in them and more flesh… So you get more tomato than with other varieties!

Homegrown Roma tomatoes boast a burst of flavor you won’t find in store-bought varieties! Picked at their peak, they go from garden to jar in no time.

By growing your own Roma tomatoes, you control exactly what goes into them. Plus, they’re perfect for canning! And canning those tomatoes preserves the excess harvest, saving money and summer flavors to enjoy in the winter.

Why Roma Tomatoes?

There are several reasons to grow Roma tomatoes instead of other varieties:

High flesh to juice ratio: Roma tomatoes have a high flesh to juice ratio, which means they are meatier and contain less water than other tomato varieties. This makes them ideal for canning because they produce a thicker, richer sauce with a more concentrated flavor.
Low seed count: Roma tomatoes have fewer seeds than other tomato varieties, which means there is less need to strain or remove them during the canning process. This saves time and effort while still producing a smooth and consistent sauce.
Rich flavor: Roma tomatoes have a naturally rich, sweet flavor that makes them ideal for use in sauces and soups. This flavor is also more pronounced when the tomatoes are cooked or canned, making them a popular choice among home canners.
Longer shelf life: Roma tomatoes have a thicker skin and firmer flesh, which makes them more resistant to bruising and rotting. This longer shelf life means they can be stored for longer periods of time without spoiling, making them a practical choice for canning.
Versatility: Roma tomatoes can be used in a variety of recipes, from pasta sauces to salsas and even ketchup. This versatility makes them a popular choice for home canning, as they can be used in a variety of dishes throughout the year.

use a de-bubbler or knife to remove air bubbles in jars, and crush tomatoes if desired

Learn how to can crushed tomatoes here, or the easiest way to can tomatoes here!

How to Grow Roma Tomatoes for Canning

Preparing the soil to grow Roma Tomatoes

It’s important to prepare your soil to make sure it’s healthy and you get a productive crop.

Choose a sunny location: Roma tomatoes require a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose a location with good drainage and avoid areas where water pools after rainfall.
Test your soil: Test your soil’s pH level using a soil testing kit, which can be purchased at most garden centers. Roma tomatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Add organic matter: Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, into the soil to improve its structure and fertility. Work the organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
Add nutrients: Roma tomatoes require ample amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium to produce healthy fruit. Incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting according to package instructions.
Mulch the soil: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or leaves, around the base of the tomato plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

How to Choose the Right Roma Tomato Seeds

Starting with high-quality seeds is essential when growing Roma tomatoes because it can affect the yield, flavor, and disease resistance of your plants. Here are some reasons why it’s important to start with high-quality seeds:

Yield: High-quality seeds have been selected for their ability to produce high yields of quality fruit, which means you are more likely to have a bountiful harvest for canning.
Flavor: The flavor of your Roma tomatoes is largely determined by the genetics of the plant. Using high-quality seeds can ensure that you get the best flavor possible from your tomatoes.
Disease resistance: High-quality seeds have been selected for their resistance to common tomato diseases, such as Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, and Tomato Mosaic Virus. By starting with disease-resistant seeds, you can help prevent disease from affecting your plants.
Plant vigor: High-quality seeds are more likely to produce plants that are healthy and vigorous, which means they can better withstand adverse growing conditions and produce more fruit.
Seed purity: Using high-quality seeds can ensure that your plants are true to the Roma tomato variety, which means they will have the desired characteristics and produce the desired fruit.

Planting Roma Tomato Seeds:

Choose a location: Select a sunny, well-drained location in your garden for planting Roma tomato seeds.
Prepare the soil: Work the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
Sow the seeds: Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep, spaced about 2 inches apart in rows that are about 2-3 feet apart.
Water and cover: Water the seeds gently but thoroughly and cover the planting area with a thin layer of mulch to help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature consistent.
Germination: The seeds should germinate within 7-14 days, and once they have sprouted, thin them to about 6-12 inches apart to allow for proper growth and development.

Grow Roma Tomatoes From Starts:

Choose healthy starts: Select healthy Roma tomato starts from a reputable nursery or garden center.
Choose a location: Choose a location in your garden that receives full sun for at least 6-8 hours a day and has well-drained soil.
Prepare the soil: Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.
Dig a hole: Dig a hole that is slightly deeper than the root ball of the tomato plant and about twice as wide.
Plant the starts: Place the tomato plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently tamping down around the base of the plant.
Water and mulch: Water the plant thoroughly and apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

How to Grow Roma Tomato Tips
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost or purchase seedlings from a local nursery or online
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Space plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for growth and airflow
- Plant tomatoes deeply, burying the lower stems to promote root growth
- Water plants well and provide support for vines with stakes or cages

Thriving Tomato Plants

Happy tomato plants mean a happy harvest! Here are some tips to keep your Roma tomatoes thriving:

Water regularly: Roma tomato plants require consistent moisture to grow and produce fruit. Water them deeply once or twice a week. (Depending on weather conditions, ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.)
Fertilize regularly – Roma tomato plants require regular fertilization to ensure that they have the nutrients they need to grow and produce. Use a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks throughout the growing season, following package instructions.
Prune and stake the plants: Roma tomato plants benefit from pruning and staking to keep them upright and improve air circulation around the plants. Remove any suckers that grow between the main stem and the side branches, and tie the plants to stakes or trellises to keep them upright.
Control pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases that can affect Roma tomato plants, such as aphids, whiteflies, and blossom end rot. Use natural or organic methods to control pests, such as handpicking, insecticidal soap, or neem oil, and ensure that the plants have adequate calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Harvest regularly: Regularly harvesting your Roma tomatoes as they ripen will help to encourage the plants to continue producing fruit throughout the growing season.

Harvesting Home-Grown Roma Tomatoes

Knowing when to harvest your Roma tomatoes is essential to ensure that they are at the right stage of ripeness for canning. Here are some guidelines to follow when harvesting Roma tomatoes for canning:

Look for mature fruit: Roma tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are fully mature, which is typically indicated by their color. They should be a deep, rich red color and feel firm to the touch. The fruit should also be free of cracks, splits, or other signs of damage.
Consider the ripening process: If your Roma tomatoes are not yet fully ripe, you can still harvest them and allow them to finish ripening off the vine. This can be done by placing them in a paper bag with an apple or banana, which will release ethylene gas and accelerate the ripening process.
Time of day: It is best to harvest Roma tomatoes in the morning when the fruit is cool and the plants are well hydrated. This will help to reduce the risk of damage to the fruit during handling.
Harvest regularly: It is important to harvest your Roma tomatoes regularly throughout the growing season to ensure that they don’t become overripe or begin to spoil on the vine. This will also encourage the plants to continue producing fruit.

Storing & Using Home-Grown Roma Tomatoes

Storing Roma tomatoes properly before canning is important to ensure that they remain fresh and in good condition for processing. Here are some tips on how to store Roma tomatoes for canning:

Keep them cool: Store Roma tomatoes in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or basement. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in areas that are too warm, as this can cause them to ripen too quickly and spoil.
Don’t wash them: It is important not to wash your Roma tomatoes before storing them. Moisture can cause them to spoil more quickly, so it is best to wait until just before canning to wash them.
Store them properly: To prevent bruising or damage, store Roma tomatoes in a single layer and avoid stacking them on top of each other. If you have a large quantity of tomatoes to store, you can place them in a cardboard box or on a tray lined with newspaper or paper towels.
Check them regularly: Check your Roma tomatoes regularly for signs of ripening or spoilage. Remove any tomatoes that are overripe, damaged, or beginning to spoil, as these can affect the quality of your canned goods.