From

Location

Message

Date Posted

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Just how serious a grower are you? Are you going to do every possible thing you can to get a monster this next growing season? Or are you less serious and just in it for the fun? What do you think it takes to be considered a really serious grower? I would say Dan Sutherland was a very serious grower. Maybe Boudyo when he was really into it? Results matter but not breaking the record or having one or two bad years doesn't make you any less serious. I am going to be very serious this year. How about you? And how serious? What are you willing to do to win? Or maybe grow A TEN POUNDER. It is unlikely to happen if you are not serious.

3/2/2019 5:18:45 PM

Grittyville, WA

No sandbagging here lol... Or am I just supposed to say 'I'm not serious' and then... you all won't know if I'm telling the truth.

3/2/2019 6:02:51 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

If you look at the top 10 people in the tomato GPC the last few years, you see a lot of the same people with lots of experience and consistency (Dan Sutherland, Dan MacCoy, Jack LaRue, Chris Konieczny) I would even expect the missing Steve Porkchop Marley to pull off of top 10 most every year.

What do they have all in common? They have to have a competitive spirit at heart. They will learn details from others and apply it to their garden and decide what works for them. We are talking about a few tweaks here and there to add just a few ounces which can break you into the top 10 and closer to the top. I do think that there is something in the northern regions soil like that glacial silty loam that gives most of the people listed above an advantage. You get a novice like Chris Qualley who lives in Minnesota to pop off a 7.07 pounder barely his first time growing not to mention the world record carrot. Now he is a grower that appears to be having fun but underneath it all he is all competitor. How I would love to have some of that soil.

I admit, I'm a competitor and have been my whole life. You have to be to drive you to try every little technique or try new things. If you live out of the "sweet zone" for tomatoes you may have to alter you growing environment to mimic others. All these people that grow in the top 10 have one thing in common: They spend hours and hours working with their plants. If you have those key seeds and you are a newer grower, just know that merely throwing the seed in the ground and expecting it to grow a giant tomato for you isn't going to work. Put the time in and learn from others. Review old diaries.

3/2/2019 6:33:46 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

Brandon, I'm still trying to figure you out. You appear to not know what you are doing half the time with bad luck all season, then you pop off a 5.04 to win the "prestigious" team tomato competition! Not an easy feat at all. The best at garden poker. I don't believe a word you say yet I would be happy to have you on my team anytime!

3/2/2019 6:40:39 PM

Grittyville, WA

Lol Rick I'm truly not as competitive as you. I can be competitive, but I am not fully motivated. That may change though but right now my hearts not in it. And then if I grow a big one you guys will think I'm a sandbagger. I do have seven 8.22 seeds so you can call that what you want. Uh... "potentially serious"... Lol.

3/2/2019 8:27:26 PM

Grittyville, WA

Ditto u were a fine team mate.

3/2/2019 8:32:02 PM

Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

If seriously means growing only for the result, than I am happy to be not really serious!
Money, space and time; climate, knowledge and facilities are some more factors to limit or provide success!
I would tell Patrick Teichmann a really really seriuos giant tomato grower, although his personal best is only 3.55 lbs.
He gives his very best to grow giant, but is hardly limited by other circumstances.
He is a most meritorious grower from my point of view.
Although size matters, engagement, rapturousness,sharing knowledge and seeds,supporting roukies, integrity and fairness definitely matter more!

3/3/2019 3:08:02 AM

Wisconsin

I'm about serious enough to take care of them as needed to do ok, but thats about it. I focus efforts towards pumpkins in the growing season, the tomatoes for me are a side deal thats fun and something extra to bring to a weighoff. The team contest helped drive me to do better last year, and maybe Ricks Big Marley contest will do the same this year, maybe someday I'll get lucky and put the beat down on Joe Menting, lol

3/3/2019 7:17:10 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Being serious does not mean you cannot have a lot of fun in the process. Sharing information and seeds and trying to lift everyone else up is also satisfying.

3/3/2019 8:33:38 AM

Ontario, Canada

We just throw a few in for kicks each year. Not really serious about them, as pumpkins take top priority here. We have manage to grow a couple decent maters, over the years. Maybe we'll work a little harder at it this year considering the contest.

3/3/2019 9:17:11 AM

Valencia Spain

I try my best but just not good enough my soil but expecting better this year especially with a lot of megamutts, I can grow several times in Valencia spain

3/3/2019 10:32:56 AM

Wixom MI.

I supose i am a serious grower, i enjoy trying to do better than the previous years. I like to try new ideas like grafting. But i don't understand the science of soils and products so i play it safe on that end.im also limited with what i can do in my location growing in a wooded field and using muddy swamp water.
I enjoy trying to grow the sport by sharing what i know and hope to learn from growers with the knowledge they can pass along.

3/3/2019 11:32:24 AM

On a cliff in the desert

Last year I grew giant tomatoes out of curiousity and found it fun when I got a few mega blooms that were big enough to take to weigh offs. This year I am more serious about growing because I am not using any Miracle Grow type products on my tomato plants. I might kill a few plants finding how much to use of a products when directions don't give it. Who hasn't killed a few plants learning things. My coworkers were in awe when I brought in my 4 and 2.5 pound tomatoes into work.

3/3/2019 12:37:46 PM

Norfolk, UK

I certainly do as much as I can - extensive reading, occasionally funds and as much TLC as I can - but often I think that i’ve had to compromise and I think you have to be pragmatic (or get disheartened!).

I may have an ‘ideal’ soil, temperature profile or growing conditions in mind - but you have to work with what you have limited by funds, equipment or time, and do your best to approach what you think is the ideal. I suspect it’s more than many - I suspect it’s less than some. But i’ve enjoyed having a crack at giant tomatoes, and look forward to doing so again this season.

3/3/2019 3:05:38 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I am serious.
I like growing giant melons too,but I am limited in space for that.
Tried giant tomatoes 2 years ago,and I am hooked.
I have the space for tomatoes.
If I can keep the rain from ruining them,I’ll have a big one.

3/3/2019 3:25:20 PM

Western Massachusetts

10 lbs or bust

3/3/2019 8:25:56 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I am not serious...until 2020 :)

3/5/2019 9:45:13 PM