Roma Tomato Plants Near Me – Where to Find This Prolific Paste Variety

With their prolific harvests of meaty pear-shaped tomatoes perfect for sauces and canning it’s no wonder home gardeners seek out roma tomato plants to grow. If you’re wondering where to find roma tomato plants for sale nearby, you have several convenient options. Local nurseries, major retailers, online stores, and fellow gardeners can all provide quality roma tomato transplants suited for your growing conditions.

What are Roma Tomatoes?

Roma tomatoes go by several names, including Italian plum tomatoes, paste tomatoes, and cooking tomatoes. But they all refer to the same oblong roma variety valued for its thick, juicy flesh with few seeds

These determinate tomatoes grow on compact, upright vines. The abundant harvest of 3-4 ounce tomatoes excel for cooking down into rich sauces and pastes. Romas also hold up well when canned or frozen.

Where to Find Roma Tomato Plants Nearby

Here are some places to find healthy roma tomato plants close to home:

• Local nurseries – Many independent nurseries carry vegetable starts including roma tomato plants. Some may offer heirloom varieties.

• Home improvement stores – Large chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s often stock tomatoes in spring and early summer.

• Farmer’s markets – Ask vendors if they will have locally-grown roma tomato plants for sale later in the season.

• Fellow gardeners – Friends, neighbors and gardening groups are great resources for plant cuttings and swapping.

• Mail order specialists – Companies like Burpee, Gurney’s, and Territorial Seed sell roma tomato plants delivered to your door.

• Big box retailers – Stores like Walmart sometimes include tomatoes among their vegetable transplants.

What to Look for When Buying Plants

To ensure robust roma tomato plants, inspect plants closely before purchasing:

• Stocky stems – Avoid leggy, weak plants which may signal improper care or low light.

• Clean foliage – Leaves should be perky and free of spots, yellowing, or damage.

• Established roots – If possible, check for plentiful white roots.

• No flowers/fruit – Early fruiting can stress young tomato plants.

• Determinate habit – Ensure plants are tagged as determinate roma or paste tomatoes.

• Resistant varieties – Select disease-resistant cultivars like Plum Regal, Rio Grande, or Super Marzano.

• Organic – Choose organic plants when possible to avoid pesticide exposure.

When to Purchase Roma Tomato Plants

Time your roma tomato plant purchases based on your planting timeframe:

• Spring – Buy plants 6-8 weeks before your final expected spring frost to plant out after danger of frost.

• Early summer – Replace any plants lost to pests or bad weather.

• Fall – In frost-free climates, plant fall tomatoes for winter and early spring harvests.

Where to Buy Roma Tomato Seeds

For the widest selection of roma tomato cultivars, you can easily source seeds online to start your own plants. Reputable online seed sellers include:

• Burpee – Offers short season Super Marzano and disease-resistant Plum Regal roma seeds.

• Park Seed – Carries vintage heirlooms like Amish Paste and Speckled Roman.

• Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Sells hybrid Roma VF resistant to fusarium and verticillium.

• Pinetree Garden Seeds – Features open-pollinated Roma heirlooms and modern varieties.

• Seed Savers Exchange – Non-profit seed bank with hundreds of heirloom tomato cultivars.

How Many Roma Tomato Plants to Buy

Determinate roma tomatoes stay compact, so you can plant them closer together than sprawling indeterminate types. For adequate harvests, choose enough plants according to:

• Desired yield – Plant more if preserving tomatoes for winter meals.

• Available space – Scale quantities to fit your planting area and support structures.

• Household size – 2-3 plants per person is often sufficient.

As a general guide, plant:

• Container gardens – 1 plant per large pot

• Close spacing – 1 plant every 1.5-2 feet

• Moderate spacing – 1 plant every 2-3 feet

• Generous spacing – 1 plant every 3-4 feet

Companion Plants for Romas

Boost roma tomato growth and protect against pests by interplanting with these compatible companions:

• Basil deters flies and beetles while improving growth and flavor.

• Marigolds repel nematodes and other detrimental insects.

• Garlic and chives fend off aphids.

• Asparagus, carrots, parsley and peppers invite helpful pollinators.

• Beans and peas add nitrogen to the soil.

Get the Best Price on Roma Tomato Plants

While roma tomato plants are one of the more affordable vegetables, here are some tips for deals:

• Buy plants late in the season when nurseries discount leftovers.

• Sow your own seeds indoors for just pennies per plant.

• Check big box stores for volume discounts compared to smaller plant retailers.

• Split plant purchases with other gardeners to buy in bulk.

• Take advantage of early order sales from mail order nurseries.

Ensure You Get a Quality Product

To guarantee success with your roma tomato plants:

• Verify plants are labeled as determinate roma, paste, or plum tomatoes.

• Select resistant varieties to prevent disease issues.

• Inspect plants thoroughly before purchasing.

• Research retailers through online reviews and recommendations.

• Follow proper planting guidelines and care for optimal health.

Get Growing with Roma Tomatoes!

Now that you know where to source quality roma tomato plants close to home, you can look forward to bushels of plump tomatoes perfect for cooking, canning, and sauces. Check local nurseries, hardware stores, garden centers, and online specialty growers to find your ideal roma varieties. With the right cultivars and proper care, you’ll be harvesting armloads of these versatile fruits from your own garden soon.