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Tomatoes!!! Two things people are always proud to talk to their neighbors about... the giant fish that got away and the humungus tomato in the garden... We know for certain that Minnie has those tomato whoppers... now let's see a picture of that fish! New Jersey Record Holder Minnie Zaccaria has won the NJ Championship Tomato Weigh-In seven times and has certified documentation that she can grow the big ones. She holds the record for growing the heaviest tomato in New Jersey( 6.16 pounds). Even when she is not growing to enter contests, it is not unusual to find her Big Zac's tipping the scales at easily over 4 pounds. Look at last year's tomato ( 2003 ) weighing in at 5.2 lbs.,. Our insight coming from the First Lady of Champion Tomato Growers - ( champion weights averaging @ 4.4 lbs) - centers around the conservation of nutrients that are directed to only a few tomatoes per plant. Minnie's pointers are: 1. Select the largest tomato on each of the top 3 or 4 tomato clusters
per plant during the first week in July.
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2. Take the rest of the tomatoes off each plant and also .... 3. Don't let anymore blossoms turn into fruit. She dedicates certain plants just for contests and makes sure that they get daily TLC. Her plants are staked with It stands to reason Keep the plant moist and mulch Pull all suckers off the plant Feed weekly with liquid plant food.
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Tomato Insight? If you have any
tips or suggestions for our readers in the planning or growing process...
E-mail us! Thanx.
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