How Often Do Roma Tomatoes Produce Fruit?

Days From Planting

• Roma tomato plants typically begin producing fruit about 75 days after planting outdoors, depending on growing conditions and the size of your transplants. If you plant them from seed, add an additional four to six weeks. Once the fruit begin ripening, you can expect to harvest four to six fruits per plant per week, until growth slows or until frost nips them.

Yields

• Roma tomatoes typically yield about 100 pounds per 100 square feet of row over the course of one season -- enough to supply most gardeners with all the tomatoes they need for fresh eating, as well as processing. Because Roma tomatoes are determinate plants, they don't continue to produce fruit after the initial production, but dwindle after a few weeks.

Growing Conditions

• Roma tomatoes, like all tomato varieties, need warmth, fertile soil and consistent water to perform well. Plant them in well-drained loam soil that has been amended with compost or manure. Make sure the garden area gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Roma tomatoes shouldn't be planted outdoors until after the last frost, when soil and air temperatures are above 65 degrees. Cold weather can stunt growth and cause cat facing, or deformities, on the fruits. Fertilize Roma tomatoes with 1 pound of 33-0-0 fertilizer per 100 square feet of row when the plants first set fruit, and again four and eight weeks later.

Pests and Disease

• Pest and disease problems can limit fruit production, as well as fruit quality. Roma tomatoes are resistant to most of the major diseases that afflict tomatoes, but a little extra care can ensure a healthy, vigorous crop. Use soaker hoses, rather than overhead sprinklers, which can spread disease, and avoid working in the garden while it's wet. Most tomato diseases can't be treated. Remove infected plants promptly so the disease doesn't spread. Many tomato pests, such as the tomato hornworm, are large insects, and easily visible. Handpick them and drop them in a bucket of soapy water.