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Hamilton - New Zealand

Hi there guys, is there anywhere that has a good background history on the giant tomatoes and records etc?

Thanks
Sam

8/22/2014 3:17:45 AM

Allentown, PA

Let's start here; This is a sight for statistics relating to giant tomatoes.

http://tomato.giantstogrow.com/

This next one is for a long running giant Tomato Contest in southern Ontario. This is the same contest that officially certified Gianfranco Sarin's 7.70 tomato which is officially the second heaviest tomato on record. You can see it under the 2006 winners link. This contest sadly ended in 2006. I don't know why it did.

I'll give you the address where it starts at the 1997 photos and statistics for the contest winners.

http://www.consiglioskitchenware.com/store/custom/Winners/1997/1997winners.html

Here's another website for a now defunct contest from New Jersey that Minnie Zaccaria the creator of the Big Zac entered for many years. Why the contest is not still in existence is not known by me. I wish it was because it would be next door to where I live in PA.

Despite that the website has quite a bit of history and is well worth saving.

http://www.njtomato.com/main.htm

Of course I will always promote Marv Meinsers book

"" Giant Tomatoes-Giant Yields-Giant Weights "" which is extremely well known and is considered the bible of giant tomato growing. Besides its invaluable information on growing techniques it also has quite a bit of history concerning past weights.

It can be found here;

http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Tomatoes-Marvin-H-Meisner/dp/0975515314

Our own fellow member SEAMFASTER has his own site with a very large amount off information concerning giant tomato growing along with seeds for sale. I have dealt directly with him (Dale) and the process was excellent. Nice guy, very knowledgeable and best of all he's a fellow giant grower.

His website is here;

http://gianttomatoseeds.com/

Many will ask if there is a website where all of this information exists without having to go to many sites, the answer to that no to the best of my knowledge.

I'm sure there are others here with more

8/22/2014 8:50:43 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

The reason the tomato contest in New Jersey ended was because it did not have the funds to continue. All of the sponsorship dried up. They tried to get it going again but were unsuccessful. The Great Tomato Hunt in Ontario ended for several reasons. It was sponsored by Consiglio's U-Save Center and the sponsors lost enthusiasm for the event after many years and it no longer seemed consistent with their business plan. Their sales were becoming more Internet based and the contest, which was really a more local thing, was effected by geographical changes in their community. The sponsors felt the contest had become more of a, shall we say, burden than a joy. They were just tired of doing it. Some of the energy behind the contest probably diminished when the founder of the event passed. These things happen you know. It was great while it lasted.

8/22/2014 9:59:19 AM

Allentown, PA

Yes Marv, I know things change but it's been a decade since the NJ contest officially ended according to the last update to the web address which was 2004.

Now with the surge in giant tomato growing we are going to see quite a few more join our ranks before all is said and done. Because of this I believe we will see a contest or two spring up in the U.S. and Canada because of this..I hope.

8/23/2014 6:46:08 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

Well, we must be the people with the most interest, considering our rabid discussions!

Maybe we should try to set up a contest/festival in proximity to some of our members.

Of course, we would need a sponsor.

Another idea would be to speak to people that currently run a Tomato festival & see about setting up a giant mater contest there.

I am sure there must be several candidates for this, 2 that come to mind immediately are Tomatfest in California & the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival .

I have been to both & neither had a Giant Mater contest when I was there.

If we don't get any takers, I propose that we just hold it at Julia's house.
The winner will be the person that can safely conduct the heaviest tomato down Julia's basement stairs!
Sorry, PA_J, I couldn't resist!!!

8/23/2014 9:48:08 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Thanks heaps for that info :D

8/24/2014 8:07:09 PM

Allentown, PA

@ MATERDOC...YES!!! OMG!! I was wearing my old pair of retired running shoes that used for the garden when I somehow got caught on the carpet on one of the top stairs......PLUNK...BANG....CRASH.....THUD... CRY!!!! LOL!!

8/25/2014 7:28:55 AM