The fifth annual Lowndes County Tomato Battle will soon be underway. It begins with a brief tomato growing seminar at 6 p.m. Monday, May 13 at the Lowndes County Extension Office, open to all tomato growers. Sign up for the contest that evening and receive two improved variety tomato plants to grow. Entry fee is $5.
“This will be our fifth annual Lowndes County Tomato Battle,” said Extension Agent III Reid Nevins. “We’ll give out tomato plants for anyone that wants to participate to take home and grow.”
This summer, participating growers will bring in the largest of each tomato variety for official weigh-in between July 1-15 at the Extension office located at 485 Tom Rose Road.
“Bring them back and weigh in to claim the top three prizes,” Nevins said. Last year’s first place went to Charlie Griffin of Columbus, with his Steakhouse tomato that tipped the scale at 32.13 ounces.
Topics at the growing seminar will focus on tomato varieties, tomato fertility, management techniques, overall veggie gardens and best management practices.
In addition to the Lowndes Extension Service, this year’s Tomato Battle sponsors include Lowndes Farm Supply and Palmer Home Greenhouses.
For more information, contact the Extension office at 662-328-2111.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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