{"product_id":"roma-vf-tomato","title":"Roma VF Tomato Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolanum lycopersicum Roma VF Tomato\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolanum lycopersicum Roma VF Tomato is a classic, high-yielding determinate variety, valued for its meaty, plum-shaped fruit and exceptional disease resistance. Growing to about 3 to 4 feet tall with a spread of 1.5 – 3 feet, this variety is perfect for vegetable gardens, canning patches, and large containers where a concentrated harvest is desired. Unlike juicy slicing tomatoes, Roma VF produces dense, thick-walled fruit with very few seeds and low moisture content, making it the world's most popular paste tomato for creating rich, thick sauces and preserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary and Practical Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe definitive \"sauce\" tomato; its dry, meaty flesh cooks down rapidly into thick marinara, ketchup, and tomato paste without requiring hours of reduction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eExcellent for whole-fruit canning and freezing, as the firm texture holds its shape well during processing and storage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eIdeal for drying (sun-dried tomatoes) or slow roasting, which intensifies its natural sugars for use in winter pastas and salads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage: \u003c\/strong\u003eDense, dark green leaves that provide excellent coverage to prevent sunscald; the \"VF\" in the name indicates strong resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium wilts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Determinate (bush) habit that grows to a fixed height and sets a heavy crop over a short window; perfect for gardeners who want to harvest everything at once for a canning weekend.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Produces clusters of small, bright yellow blossoms that self-pollinate and rapidly develop into heavy clusters of oval, red fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contains significantly fewer seeds than slicing varieties; open-pollinated seeds that are easy to process and remove if saving seed for future seasons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thrives in full sun; requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to ripen the heavy fruit load evenly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adapts to most soil types but prefers fertile, loamy, well-draining soil enriched with compost; pH 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater: \u003c\/strong\u003eRequires consistent, deep watering; fluctuating moisture levels can cause blossom end rot, which plum tomatoes are susceptible to, so mulch is highly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant seeds or transplants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for airflow between the dense bushes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance: \u003c\/strong\u003eRequires support via a cage or \"Florida weave\" due to the heavy weight of the fruit; minimal pruning is needed (do not remove suckers) compared to indeterminate types.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Info\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoma VF Tomato seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blossomdale","offers":[{"title":"250 Seeds","offer_id":51773747560727,"sku":"40003630","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/5416\/8343\/files\/Roma_Tomato_2.jpg?v=1767570830","url":"https:\/\/blossomdale.com\/products\/roma-vf-tomato","provider":"Blossomdale","version":"1.0","type":"link"}