The Lowndes County Extension Service and Lowndes Farm Supply present a free Tomato Battle and Tomato Growing seminar Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the Lowndes County Farm Bureau office at 101 Main St., Columbus.
Topics to be discussed include growing tasty tomatoes, tomato varieties, tomato fertility, best management practices and the 2015 Tomato Battle.
Lowndes Extension Agent Reid Nevins said, “The seminar presented by Dr. Jeff Wilson and myself will go over everything geared toward growing tomatoes at home or in the garden.”
The Tomato Battle is to introduce growers to a newer disease-resistant variety, compared to the same varieties most homeowners plant that their parents and grandparents grew, Nevins said.
Tomato Battle participants pay a $5 entry fee, which gets them two improved variety tomato plants supplied by the Extension Service to take home and plant. Between July 13-17, contestants bring their biggest tomato to their local Extension office. Those who grow the largest tomato in each participating county will be eligible for prizes ranging from steak dinner certificates to money.
About 25 to 30 contestants grew the Bella Rosa variety in last year’s competition.
“This year we have the varieties Believe it or Not and Genuine to offer in the Tomato Battle,” said Nevins. Plants, donated by Seeds ‘n Such, will be distributed at the seminar.
For more information about the seminar or contest, contact the Mississippi State University Lowndes Extension Office, 662-328-2111.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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