Skip to product information
1 of 2

Sandia Seed Company

Tomato - Rio Grande Seeds

Tomato - Rio Grande Seeds

Regular price $ 3.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $ 3.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Rio Grande tomato produces high yields of large red pear-shaped tomatoes. They are thick and meaty, with a flavor that is mildly sweet with a little of that old-fashioned tart tomato flavor. One of the best paste tomatoes to grow in hot climates and will withstand extremes in temperature, both hot and cold. An excellent choice for beginner gardeners. Highly disease resistant. 

Tomato seeds can be started indoors.

Start seeds inside 8 weeks before the last frost date.

Plant seeds 1/2" deep in pots with growing mix and place on a warm seedling mat or in a warm area that is 70 to 85 degrees with bright light. Tomato seeds prefer relatively warm temperatures to germinate and grow quickly. Seedlings should emerge from the soil in 5-10 days. After 8 weeks, when the outdoor garden soil has warmed, harden off the seedlings and transplant them 24" apart in rich soil and full sun. 

When watering soak the soil to a depth of at least 6" so the soil stays moist but never soggy. Mulching can help to provide uniform moisture, conserve water, and reduce weeds. Feed plants often with fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.

Rio Grande tomato plants are determinate and grow 4'-6' tall and tomatoes weigh 6 ounces.

Each packet contains 30 Rio Grande Tomato seeds.  Solanum lycopersicum. Annual. Open-pollinated, heirloom, Non-GMO. Harvest in 75 days. $3.00

This packet plants a 60' row with 30 plants. 

This product is part of the Get Real Gardening collection. Click here for more items.

The definition of a determinate tomato.

Determinate tomatoes grow to a compact height of about 3-6' tall. Determinants stop growing taller when fruit sets on the top bud. All the tomatoes from the plant will ripen at approximately the same time over a period of 1- 2 weeks. The plants may require staking for support.

Tomatoes are delicious.

Any tomato can be used for making a sauce but starting with paste tomatoes will mean less time reducing them down on the stove. Paste tomatoes like the Rio Grande have a denser, drier flesh and fewer seeds, making them meaty, thick, and ready to turn into a rich sauce. Rio Grande tomatoes are flavorful enough to do double duty as fresh eating tomatoes. 

Features.

Heirloom Rio Grande tomatoes are large pear-shaped fruits that work well for making BBQ sauces, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and purees. They make great dehydrated or sun-dried tomatoes. They are always delicious freshly sliced for salads and sandwiches, too. 

Benefits.

Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Eating of tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health too.

More Information about planting, growing, and harvesting tomatoes can be found in the Farmer's Almanac Growing Guide.


View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Charles Beard
Wonderful Romas

I've been ordering growing this variety of Roma for almost ten years. Almost always 100% germination. Start seeds on Valentines Day. Plant outside around Mother's Day weekend here in the NW. The plants are very sturdy when supported properly and produce huge meaty fruit. Rarely have problems with blight or blossom rot like on the smaller Romas. Six plants give us all the tomatoes we need for canning and freezer sauces for the year. Great on salads, in home made salsa or added to guacamole. The neighbors love the extras.

  • Hot Pepper Seeds:  Helmet Head

    Hot Pepper Seeds: Helmet Head

    If you grow Hot Pepper Seeds, Super Hot Pepper Seeds, Sweet Pepper Seeds, or any chile seeds from around the world, you have likely have encountered “helmet heads” at some...

    Hot Pepper Seeds: Helmet Head

    If you grow Hot Pepper Seeds, Super Hot Pepper Seeds, Sweet Pepper Seeds, or any chile seeds from around the world, you have likely have encountered “helmet heads” at some...

  • Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16:  March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!!...

    Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16:  March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!!...

  • Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

    Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

      The reason companion planting is so beneficial is not fully understood, but has been noted by farmers and gardeners for many generations. There are some basic concepts that do...

    Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

      The reason companion planting is so beneficial is not fully understood, but has been noted by farmers and gardeners for many generations. There are some basic concepts that do...

  • How to Grow Chilli Plants

    How to Grow Chilli Plants

    Chillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them...

    How to Grow Chilli Plants

    Chillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them...

1 of 4
Green Chile Seeds

Green Chile Seeds

Sandia Seed specializes in seeds for the famous Hatch Green Chile, Poblano,... 

NEW SEEDS

NEW SEEDS

Grow something new in your garden! Check out our newest seeds we've... 

Best Peppers for Containers

Best Peppers for Containers

If you want to grow peppers in containers, below are our top favorite...