An unknown tomato variety grown from seed by a woman who had never planted tomatoes won best large tomato at the 6th Annual NatureSweet Homegrown Tomato Challenge last Saturday.
With tears streaming down her face, Lin Cole of Citrus Heights recounted for the crowd the story of how she bought the seed last Easter as a gift for her husband. Cole received a $2,500 grand prize. Runners-up August Spagnolo (Sweet 100) and Kaitlyn Shupe (Small Cherry) received $250 Raley's store vouchers.
Bob Peruch of Carmichael won best small tomato and also took home $2,500 for his efforts. The variety: Gardener's Delight. Runners-up in the cherry tomato category were Jan Decker (Bonnie Hubby) and Bryan Sattler (Black Krim).
The six finalists were chosen from among 280 entries based on a Brix test, which determines tomato sweetness. The remaining tomatoes, all 600 pounds, were donated to the Twin Lakes Food Bank.
– Pat Rubin
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