How to Grow Roma Tomato Amish Paste
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Roma Tomato Amish Paste
Solanum lycopersicum 'Amish Paste'
vegetableAmish Paste is a popular heirloom paste tomato known for its rich, dense flesh and excellent flavor, making it ideal for sauces, pastes, and canning. This indeterminate variety produces abundant oval-shaped fruits that are meaty with few seeds and thick walls. It's prized by gardeners for its disease resistance, productivity, and ability to thrive in various conditions.
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Example Roma Tomato Amish Paste timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Roma Tomato Amish Paste
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Roma Tomato Amish Paste
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Roma Tomato Amish Paste dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-9; thrives in warm-season gardens with extended growing periods
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Seedling
4-6 weeksTiny plants with true leaves emerging after cotyledons; 2-4 inches tall
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off. Maintain 65-75°F temperature.
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingBushy growth with multiple stems and dark green foliage; plant reaches 12-18 inches before first flowers appear
Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before planting outdoors. Plant deep to encourage stronger root systems. Install sturdy cages or stakes early. Pinch suckers to control growth if desired.
Flowering
Throughout growing seasonYellow flowers appear in clusters on the main stem and lateral branches; plant may reach 3-4 feet tall
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3 weeks or use slow-release fertilizer. Remove lower leaves as plant grows for better air circulation. Support with sturdy stakes or cages.
Fruiting
6-10 weeks from flower to mature fruitGreen tennis-ball-sized fruits develop rapidly; fruits mature to deep red color over several weeks
Continue consistent watering; increase to 2-3 inches per week during peak fruit development. Prune excess foliage to direct energy to fruit development. Monitor for pests and diseases. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with tomato-specific fertilizer.
Harvest
Continuous from mid-summer until first frostFruits are firm, deeply colored red, and reach 3-4 inches long with classic paste tomato shape
Pick fruit when fully red for maximum flavor and lycopene content. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Leave some fruit on the vine for 2-3 days after turning red for optimal sweetness. Continue harvesting until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Look for dark droppings on leaves. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestations are heavy. Plant dill and basil to attract parasitic wasps.
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Increase humidity to discourage mites. Avoid overhead watering to reduce dust that attracts mites.
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Install yellow sticky traps. Use row covers early in season. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Reflective mulches can deter them.
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Water at soil level only, avoid overhead watering. Remove lower leaves (bottom 12 inches) to improve air circulation. Apply copper fungicide or sulfur spray preventatively every 7-10 days. Space plants adequately for airflow.
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and
(Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dahliae)
Choose disease-resistant varieties (check seed packets for VF notation). Avoid planting tomatoes in same soil for 3+ years. Sterilize tools. Remove affected plants immediately. Amish Paste has good resistance to these diseases.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; provide 1-2 inches weekly. Apply calcium (crushed eggshells or gypsum) around plant base. Mulch heavily to retain moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer.
Uses
Tomato Sauces & Pastes
CulinaryAmish Paste tomatoes are exceptionally well-suited for making traditional Italian tomato sauces, pasta sauces, and concentrated tomato pastes due to their meaty flesh, low water content, and rich flavor. The thick walls and few seeds make processing and straining easier. [source]
Canning & Preservation
CulinaryThe high pectin content and firm structure of Amish Paste tomatoes make them ideal for canning, including water bath canning for sauces, salsa, and whole tomatoes. Their consistent texture ensures excellent results in home preservation. [source]
Fresh Eating & Cooking
CulinaryWhile bred as a paste tomato, Amish Paste has excellent flavor and can be enjoyed fresh in salads, sliced dishes, and cooked preparations. The dense meat provides satisfying texture and rich tomato flavor. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease. Heating tomatoes (as in sauce preparation) actually increases bioavailability of lycopene, making processed tomato products especially beneficial. [source]
Kitchen & Garden Productivity
HouseholdThe prolific, indeterminate nature of Amish Paste provides abundant yields from a relatively small garden space, making it economical for home gardeners seeking to preserve homegrown tomatoes. A single plant can produce 10-15 pounds of fruit across the season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when fruits are fully red and yield slightly to gentle pressure (approximately 75-85 days from transplanting). Harvest in the early morning for best flavor and firmness. Twist and pull gently or use pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Leave some ripe fruit on the vine for 2-3 additional days after turning red to maximize sweetness and lycopene content. Amish Paste continues producing until the first frost. For canning and sauce making, harvest when a larger portion of the plant has ripe fruit to process larger batches. If frost approaches, pick all mature green tomatoes and ripen indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a paper bag with an apple.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Amish Paste is an heirloom variety developed by Amish gardeners in Pennsylvania and Ohio, bred specifically for superior paste and sauce production rather than fresh eating, making it a culturally significant variety with deep roots in American farming tradition.
- 🌱 This variety is notable for its exceptional disease resistance, particularly to early and late blight, making it one of the more reliable paste tomato varieties for gardeners in humid climates without heavy chemical inputs.
- 🌱 Amish Paste tomatoes can produce 10-15 pounds of fruit per plant across the season from a single indeterminate plant, and dedicated gardeners have reported yields of 20+ pounds with optimal care, making it one of the most productive heirloom varieties available.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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