Sow indoors March through April approximately six to eight weeks before planned transplanting. Place seed 0.5 cm deep, maintain 21–27°C, and keep mix moist; emergence generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot seedlings up, and harden gradually. Transplant only after last frost once soil is warm and nights are sufficiently mild.
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Indeterminate heirloom paste tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Amish VF’ paste tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Amish VF’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Amish VF’
Organic indeterminate heirloom paste tomato with elongated red meaty low-moisture fruit ideal for sauces and canning.
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Amish VF
Type
Indeterminate heirloom paste tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Amish VF’ paste tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Amish VF’) is a vigorous productive indeterminate heirloom grown for elongated red meaty low-moisture fruit. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists plants 1.8–2.1 m tall and maturity near 85 days after transplanting. Dense flavourful flesh particularly suits thick sauces purées canning and slow-cooked dishes while remaining pleasant fresh at full ripeness.
Sow indoors March through April approximately 0.5 cm deep six to eight weeks before transplanting. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture; germination generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot seedlings up, and harden gradually. After last frost and once soil warms transplant in full sun into fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. Space generously and install a strong stake or cage immediately.
Water deeply and regularly at soil level then mulch once soil is warm. Tie stems to support as growth continues and monitor foliar disease insects and blossom-end rot. Harvest once fruit is uniformly red fully coloured and slightly yielding to gentle pressure. Pick before frost and discard split mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit. Seed quantity exact fruit weight yield and any particular resistance suggested by the letters “VF” are unconfirmed.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate indeterminate growth and air circulation.
Establishment temperature
21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F)
Establishment time
7 to 14 days
Best planting time
Indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow ‘Amish VF’ indoors six to eight weeks before the expected last frost. Use clean, moistened seed-starting mix and place seeds 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in) deep. Maintain the mix at 27 to 29°C (80 to 85°F) until emergence, generally in 7 to 14 days, without keeping it waterlogged. As soon as shoots appear, remove the cover and provide strong light for an extended period each day to produce stocky plants. Move seedlings into individual containers once true leaves have formed, handling the roots carefully. About ten days before planting, gradually acclimate plants to direct sunlight, wind, and outdoor temperatures. Transplant after all frost danger has passed into warmed, fertile, well-drained soil, spacing plants 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart. Install a sturdy cage or stake immediately. Water deeply at soil level, add mulch after the ground has warmed, and tie long stems as required. Maintain balanced nutrition and inspect foliage and developing fruit regularly throughout the season. Remove leaves that touch the ground, direct irrigation beneath the canopy, and harvest ripe tomatoes promptly. These practices improve air movement, reduce soil splash, and keep the vigorous plant manageable until cool autumn weather ends production.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Watering
Water deeply at soil level when the top three to five centimetres begin to dry while maintaining moisture as evenly as possible. Alternating drought and heavy watering encourages cracking and may contribute to blossom-end rot while constantly waterlogged soil suffocates roots and increases disease. Water in the morning without unnecessarily wetting foliage then mulch once soil warms. During fruit set and sizing avoid prolonged water stress. In a large container check moisture daily during hot weather without leaving standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep fertile loose well-drained organic-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0–6.8. Incorporate mature compost before transplanting while avoiding fresh manure and excess nitrogen that produces leaves at the expense of fruit. Work soil when neither sticky nor dusty and do not compact the root zone. Even moisture and adequate calcium reserves support healthy fruiting without automatic calcium additions unless testing supports them. Rotate three or four years away from tomatoes peppers eggplants and potatoes.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before transplanting then base later feeding on a soil test or the label of a balanced fruiting-vegetable fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes very vigorous stems and leaves but delays flowering and ripening. After fruit set balanced nutrition including potassium and phosphorus may support fruiting without exceeding label rates. Never place concentrated fertilizer against roots and water after application. In containers split a dilute solution rather than using one strong dose. No calcium supplement replaces even watering or a test confirming deficiency.
Seasonal care
In spring, sow indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost and place seedlings under strong light as soon as they emerge. Pot them on once the first true leaves are well developed, and rotate containers regularly to encourage straight growth. About ten days before transplanting, gradually expose plants to wind, direct sun, and outdoor temperatures. Set them in the garden only after the soil has warmed and cold nights no longer threaten. In summer, secure stems to a sturdy stake or cage, water deeply at soil level, and maintain a clean mulch. Inspect foliage regularly, remove leaves touching the soil, and allow generous spacing to reduce stagnant humidity. Harvest tomatoes as they become uniformly rouge and yield slightly. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization. In fall, gather ripe fruit before the first frost; fruit that has begun changing colour can finish ripening indoors. Remove plants and diseased debris afterward. During winter, clean supports and plan a three- to four-year rotation before placing another Solanaceae crop in the same bed.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
Approximately 40 to 60 L, at least 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in diameter and depth
Choose a stable container at least 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in diameter and similarly deep, providing approximately 40 to 60 L of volume and several drainage holes. Fill it with a high-quality, airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost rather than compact garden soil alone. At planting time, install a cage or stake sturdy enough to support a 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft) indeterminate tomato; adding it later could damage the roots. Place the container in full sun, ideally protected from severe winds. Water slowly until excess drains, then water again when the surface begins to dry. During hot weather, daily checking may be necessary, but never leave the pot standing in a water-filled saucer. Apply light mulch, fertilize regularly at a rate suited to container tomatoes, and tie stems as they grow. Remove only diseased lower foliage or leaves touching the mix. In fall, harvest before frost, compost healthy tissues only, and clean both container and support before storage.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in Quebec
Growth rate
Vigorous during the warm season
Bloom period
Small yellow flowers in successive clusters through the warm season
Fruiting
Elongated red fruit produced progressively from midseason until frost
Harvest
Harvest once fruit is uniformly red fully coloured and slightly yielding to gentle pressure generally near 85 days after transplanting. Pick carefully without tearing trusses and continue as fruit ripens. Before forecast frost bring developed fruit indoors to finish ripening. Do not eat leaves or stems. Discard deeply split mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit. Yield exact weight and maximum storage life are not guaranteed.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil and early lettuce can occupy nearby space when light, water, air circulation, and root room remain sufficient.
Avoid planting with
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Sauces purées canning slow-cooked dishes cooking and fresh eating at full ripeness
From the garden to inspiration.
Amish VF tomato sauce — Wash sound fruit, remove stems, and cut. Simmer with onion and garlic until tender then purée and continue cooking to desired consistency. For immediate eating serve hot and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. For canning use only a tested recipe from a recognized authority with exact acidification and processing; do not arbitrarily alter proportions. Discard any mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
The workbook names the product Amish VF but provides no documentation confirming that the letters guarantee specific resistance for this lot. The fiche therefore preserves the name without interpreting the initials as a promise against Verticillium Fusarium or another disease. Monitor symptoms, avoid wetting foliage, provide air circulation, and rotate Solanaceae.
Yes. Indeterminate growth and listed height of 1.8–2.1 m require a tall cage trellis or strong stake installed at transplanting. Tie stems with soft ties as they grow and distribute truss weight. In containers choose a stable 40–60 L pot and secure support against wind tipping.
Generally harvest near 85 days after transplanting once fruit is uniformly red and slightly yielding to gentle pressure. Pick progressively because the indeterminate plant continues producing. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors to finish ripening. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy or heavily damaged fruit.
Yes but use a stable deep well-drained 40–60 L container with rich potting mix and firmly secured support. Place in full sun and allow space for a 1.8–2.1 m plant. Check moisture daily during hot weather, water deeply without standing water, and feed lightly according to a fruiting-vegetable fertilizer label. A smaller container severely restricts roots and dries too quickly.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
