Competitive Growing

[PA_Julia]

Hello everyone,

I received a message here requesting that I write about why I like competitive growing of vegetables.

In my opinion competitive growing brings out the best in gardening and vegetable growing.

Innovations and process's are honed and perfected when growers compete against each other in size, taste and appearance.

Personally I think it's pretty crazy and quite cool that people grow 3,4,5 and 6 pound tomatoes consistently every year.

I love growing giant pumpkins.

Can you imagine growing a vegetable that requires a hoist to lift out of your garden? Simply amazing.

There are many women in competitive growing as it seems to be a great equalizer concerning the sexes.

The giant pumpkin I have growing in my garden is literally growing by pounds and inches every day.

This next season I am planning a full assault on giant tomato growing.

I'm going to germinate seeds from Dr. Marv Meisner along with varieties such as Church, Delicious, Big Zac and Brutus Magnum.

I have two Big Zac plants that are growing quite a few tomatoes from fused blossoms.

I'm hoping for a two pounder.

A strong and fiery passion exists in me for tomatoes, does it exist in all of you?


Keep going and keep growing!!!


Julia

[Douglas14]

Julia,

I've grown giant pumpkins for several years now. I love seeing people waving, and taking pictures, as they drive by on the freeway, while we're taking the pumpkin to a fall weighoff.

I haven't been tempted to try giant tomatoes(or other giant vegetables for that matter). For me, taste, diversity, and utility are why I love growing tomatoes. Good luck with your giants!

[carolyn137]

Julia, just curious as to who requested that you write about growing competitive growing with tomatoes here at Tville?

I ask b'c Marv is a member here, has posted several times, but just doesn't see the folks here as being as interested in competitive growing as at some other sites.

And yes, I know Marv very well, just mention my name and he'll confirm that but we won't get into the huge disagreement we had about Gordon Graham's winning tomato at 7# 12 oz and the replica that he wanted to get his hands on and why he asked me how to contact Gordon's widow.

If it were me there are some other varieties I'd use in addtion to what you posted, but I never would b'c I have zero interest in growing for competitions, or even just for personal use. I grow for taste primarily and if the fruits of a particular variety just happen to be big, well, that's OK as well.

[PA_Julia]

Ginger 2778 Florida TAG Coordinator asked me to say a few words about competitive growing so I did.


Julia

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Julia, just curious as to who requested that you write about growing competitive growing with tomatoes here at Tville?

I ask b'c Marv is a member here, has posted several times, but just doesn't see the folks here as being as interested in competitive growing as at some other sites.

And yes, I know Marv very well, just mention my name and he'll confirm that but we won't get into the huge disagreement we had about Gordon Graham's winning tomato at 7# 12 oz and the replica that he wanted to get his hands on and why he asked me how to contact Gordon's widow.

If it were me there are some other varieties I'd use in addtion to what you posted, but I never would b'c I have zero interest in growing for competitions, or even just for personal use. I grow for taste primarily and if the fruits of a particular variety just happen to be big, well, that's OK as well.

[PA_Julia]

Yes!! A very proud and satisfying feeling it must be to have people point at and take photo's of you moving your monster to the weigh off.


Julia

Originally Posted by Douglas14

Julia,

I've grown giant pumpkins for several years now. I love seeing people waving, and taking pictures, as they drive by on the freeway, while we're taking the pumpkin to a fall weighoff.

I haven't been tempted to try giant tomatoes(or other giant vegetables for that matter). For me, taste, diversity, and utility are why I love growing tomatoes. Good luck with your giants!

[ginger2778]

Carolyn,
I don't want to grow competitively, but it does amaze me. I would love to know what is different for growing for competition, other than the varieties chosen.
-Julia, what got you started? To me this is extreme gardening. By the way, thanks for starting the thread.
-Marsha

[duderubble]

I'll tell you what's different! They kill all the baby tomatoes but one (sob).

[jhp]

Originally Posted by duderubble

I'll tell you what's different! They kill all the baby tomatoes but one (sob).

LOL! My thoughts too! However, I AM interested in hearing (reading) more about competitive growing. I've thought about it, but I'm too greedy for fruits to commit a whole plant to one mater.

I am competitive in my growing in that I do enter my normal sized veggies in the local fair.

Jen

[PA_Julia]

I'm very happy to do so Marsha.

I was always fascinated by giant pumpkins and tomatoes.

In Alton, Il outside St.Louis I grew up watching my grandmother grow tomatoes and other vegetables.

Seeing vegetable gardens triggers extremely vivid and happy memories of my grandmother's garden.

It's my personality to be boisterous and extremely outgoing with people.
I love to make friends and what better way to make friends than to grow giant pumpkins and tomatoes that tend to bring about questions from those curious about such a thing.

People are amazing creatures in what they can think up and what they can do.
What better way for me to take part in this than by growing freakishly large vegetables!! YAY!!!

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Carolyn,
I don't want to grow competitively, but it does amaze me. I would love to know what is different for growing for competition, other than the varieties chosen.
-Julia, what got you started? To me this is extreme gardening. By the way, thanks for starting the thread.
-Marsha

[jhp]

So how's it done Julia? How do you grow the really big ones, besides seed selection?

Jen

[PA_Julia]

Jen,

I follow what others have done in the past and what they are doing presently.
I pay close attention to growing techniques and processes that other before me have used to grow giants.

It's an obsession and it's in my bloodstream!


Julia