Photo: "Tomato - Amish Paste" by holity · Public Domain

Tomato · Paste

Amish Paste Tomatoes

Indeterminate · Solanaceae

Large oxheart-shaped paste tomato of Amish origin (Lancaster County, PA). Indeterminate unlike most paste types — grows 5–8 ft and needs strong support. Excellent for sauce, canning, salsa, and fresh slicing. Meaty flesh with few seeds. Open-pollinated heirloom with no disease resistance codes.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

74–85 days

Sun

8+ hours

full sun

Spacing

24–36 "

Seed Start

6–8 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

15+ gallon pot

Height

5–8 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 6–14 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Seed Depth 0.25"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 60°F

Harden Off 10 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1.5–2 "

Needs Consistent

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6.2–6.8

Support Cage_or_stake

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Low Drought: Low

Common Problems

blossom-end-rot

Cause: Large fruit size, calcium transport issues

Prevention: Consistent watering, gypsum, Cal-Mag

early-blight

Cause: Fungal — no genetic resistance

Prevention: Fungicide program, good airflow

late-blight

Cause: Phytophthora infestans

Prevention: Copper spray preventively

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Calcium Critical — supplement recommended

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress, Compost tea

Harvest

Deep red color, slight give when squeezed, oxheart shape fills out fully

Storage 7 days — Counter at room temp. Refrigerate only if fully ripe and need extra days.

Companion Planting

Avoid Planting Near

Sources

seed_catalog Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds seed_catalog Seed Savers Exchange university Penn State Extension university Clemson HGIC

More Tomatos

Amish Paste Tomatoes Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Amish Paste Tomatoes vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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