From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Central NY

Holy cow, this is our 5th year!!!..There were some amazing fruits grown last season. Zeke is all about it..so am I. Let’s do it again. There is a serious trophy at stake. Are ya New?…oh boy do I have the contest for you. If you are just starting to dive into the world of giant tomato growing, this could be a good one to sign up for. This “ Team challenge” is designed with the new grower in mind. Team up in our “Draft division” with some folks that have been “in on the gig” when it comes to growing these basket ball sized fruit and hopefully knock some heads together to help you come up with a plan for some real success in your garden!!..( I mean com on, yer probably out there growing a pumpkin anyway!!…) Post your name/ email and previous personal best weight, and you’ll be signed up for the Draft. Teams will be chosen on may 1st. HAVE a team in mind?…man oh man what a shootout last season. Get three friends together and sign yourselves up WiTH a team name and enter our OPEN division!!!…Try to hit that 40 pounds with 6 tomatoes!!..post your email and Zeke will keep you updated with the leaderboards once the season gets rolling.!!! Trophies and prizes to be determined as of now but I always like to make it as fun as a I can!!!…it’s that big prize you want though….The TOP DAWG Trophy. It’s been on Jack Larue’s mantle for two years now and I don’t think he has any intention of letting it go!!! It’s that COOL!!!…please help us spread the word about this sign up…the more we link up, the bigger these suckers keep getting. BIGBIG. Best of luck to you all!!

4/2/2022 1:46:00 PM

Jericho Vermont

I don't mind being the first draft person.

John Young [email protected] PB 6.44

4/2/2022 5:42:47 PM

Ironton, ohio

I'll play.

Eli Dalton
[email protected]
PB 5lb 3oz

4/2/2022 7:38:20 PM

Valencia

James Hartley Draft pb 3.90 [email protected]

4/3/2022 12:49:32 AM

Valencia

James Hartley Draft pb 3.90 [email protected]

4/3/2022 12:49:46 AM

Julie Chandler
biddygoat
[email protected]

4/3/2022 8:50:32 AM

Canada

Dave McQuay
WYECOMBER
[email protected]

4/3/2022 9:44:15 AM

Penryn CA

Sandra Stampfl
PenrynGarden
[email protected]
All my megablooms last year - Never pollinated -planted late. deer ate my first batch.. Ready to try again.
Draft Me

4/3/2022 11:37:28 AM

Central NY

…stupid deer

4/3/2022 2:38:48 PM

Syracuse, NY

...pretty smart deer

4/3/2022 3:13:09 PM

Iowa

Paul Harrington
[email protected]
5.23 lbs

4/3/2022 5:34:45 PM

Littlerock, WA

Open class reigning world champions TEAM TOMMATO are BaAaaaack!!!!! The start of a dynasty! Cindy Tobeck, Jack LaRue and Scott Holub....BRING ON 2022!

4/4/2022 2:04:38 AM

Littlerock, WA

[email protected]

4/4/2022 2:05:57 AM

West Virginia USA

I’m game for it, last year I had great looking plants an mega blooms until something happened after a few days of rain. I grew a 1.8lbs that was officially weighed in and a 2.2lbs that wasn’t weighed officially but the plants was sick so not bad I guess. It was my first year attempting to grow a giant tomato but I’d like to learn a lot more on this topic as I have grown big tomatoes that’s been 1.5+ pounds for several years but I want 6+ pounders this year!

4/4/2022 2:12:36 PM

Central NY

Hey ryan!…welcome to bP!!

4/4/2022 2:53:01 PM

Arizona

New grower here. Tried growing maters a few years back. I had an unofficial weight of 6 pounds. Not sure what I was doing. I still don't but giving it another ahot this year. Would love to join in on the fun. [email protected]

4/4/2022 3:30:11 PM

San Diego, CA

I'm in, had a great time in my inaugural season last year!!!

Draft
Dan Greene
[email protected]
PB = 4.82 lbs

4/4/2022 3:37:38 PM

west central IN/East central IL

I'm in.
Grew 3.51#uo late last yr.
[email protected]
Wayne O'Brien

4/4/2022 10:30:48 PM

Lakewood, WA

I'm also in. Grew a 1.5 pounder and a damaged 2 pounder, approximately, in my first year.

[email protected]
Dawn Mercer
Draft

4/5/2022 12:39:51 AM

Anderson, IN

Lets do it.

Larry Michael
Draft
[email protected]
PB is 4.49 lbs

4/5/2022 10:13:50 AM

Canada

Zeke, John ,and a secret weapon

4/5/2022 8:03:32 PM

Central NY

No secret weapons allowed.

4/5/2022 8:36:23 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Henry needs to fly his drone over Porkchop's patch to see how many secret weapons he has.

4/5/2022 9:03:33 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

I’m in the Draft again.
Steve Strickler (Materdoc)
[email protected]
PB 8.36

4/5/2022 11:22:15 PM

Vancouver, Washington

I'm in, first year growing a giant tomatoe don't have a PB
[email protected]

4/6/2022 1:28:37 AM

Central NY

Gene Larivere = [email protected]
Scott Marley = [email protected]
Ken Desrosiers = [email protected]
oPEN division

4/6/2022 6:28:00 AM

Connecticut, USA

We are Team Tainted Salsa

4/6/2022 9:18:28 AM

Central NY

Love it!!

4/6/2022 9:23:54 AM

Palmer

Theresa Phillips
Draft
[email protected]
First-year trying to grow a large tomato.

4/6/2022 2:48:33 PM

Team Canuckle Heads

Oh I think you'll let this secret weapon in Porkchop

4/6/2022 4:05:11 PM

Canada

Don't tell him who it is

4/6/2022 4:51:13 PM

Central NY

I may allow secret weapons.

4/6/2022 8:16:10 PM

Alex, IN

Mikkal Hodge
[email protected]
PB is 2.6#

4/7/2022 6:02:02 AM

Wixom MI.

I'm sure it's a go with team Hammer again I just confirming it with both of my teammates.

4/7/2022 1:49:23 PM

Kokomo, IN

Dylan Bailey. PB-1.10
My secret weapon this year is a few seeds from materdoc PB 8.36
Draft class
[email protected]

4/9/2022 7:01:01 PM

Canada

Always a good idea to have a secret weapon

4/9/2022 8:25:00 PM

Quebec

Coming out of hibernation from the great white North is the return of "The Eh Team"
Doug Court
Jeff Warner
Todd Kline ([email protected])
No secret weapons needed here!

4/10/2022 8:44:32 AM

50 Acres

26 West ,Jim Hudson ,Team Hopeful , [email protected]

4/10/2022 9:50:30 AM

Roseville CA

I've never grown giant tomato, and don't have any giant seeds lol, but I would like to be a part of this as I have been wanting to grow a giant tomato!

Sankalp Immadisetty
[email protected]

4/10/2022 1:27:14 PM

Roseville CA

I also don't have a team, so if there are any open spots looking for a new grower... let me know lol.

4/10/2022 1:28:42 PM

Canada

Due to the increasing amount of pressure of keeping a secret weapon under wraps, I feel it necessary to divulge that our secret weapon is the one and only PORKCHOP

4/10/2022 5:58:56 PM

Levittown Long Island New York USA

Hi guys sorry I’m late to the party it’s me Philip Grombliniak Email: [email protected] I was in this the last few years , my personal best was 2.6lbs at the Newsday Long Island tomatoe competition in 2015 ,since then I averaged a couple of good two pounders but I’m a hard trying guy ! I grow in containers but the 17 gallon containers give me plenty a room to get a bigger ones.I give it my best, I love social media and I love experimenting and fooling around with different ideas. I got steaks and cages ,I got covers of mesh to keep the rabbits and squirrels from eating my tomatoes,I got slings to put the big ones in,I got bug meshes to put over the big ones from top to bottom from ,I give it my hardest ,best effort ! I have some saved seeds that I got from World Class (The Worm) Plus a couple from a 2 pounder RW Cephei , Rim , Brutus Magnus, and Zacs I had last year

4/11/2022 10:00:32 AM

Central NY

Let’s go baby!!… great to see you back saber!!….(the canuckleheads are allowed to cheat)

4/11/2022 10:33:41 AM

Levittown Long Island New York USA

Thank you so much Mr. PorkChop

4/11/2022 10:48:00 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Escheel do you still have that Voodoo doll

4/11/2022 11:10:21 AM

Quebec

I couldn't imagine a better or more fun secret weapon!
This is gonna be fun with a bunch of great teams lining up.

4/11/2022 11:14:35 AM

Canada

Anybody like that deserves to be a knucklehead almost tiger like.
Welcome aboard Porkchop

4/11/2022 8:47:04 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Escheel...where is escheel?

4/11/2022 8:48:46 PM

Gone With The Win

Peeks out of the cave..Big Yawn! Is Spring approaching?

4/12/2022 10:23:34 AM

Central NY

Thanks guys!…I’ve got a year worth of bottled up fun somewhere. Hoping to do our team proud. Getting close tomato Tim!! (Stay away from the left side of that voodoo doll Ned)

4/12/2022 11:07:16 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Team Giant Pumpkin Wars...
Jacob Marintzer
Chris Rodenbaugh
Scott Bayuk

4/13/2022 9:43:11 AM

Grittyville, WA

The only cure for a pumpkin addiction is a tomato addiction.

4/13/2022 11:59:41 AM

Kokomo, IN

Hey @Lmichael & @materdoc, do y’all wanna join me for an Indiana team? We could be the “Hefty Hoosiers” or something of the sort 😂😂

4/13/2022 7:45:46 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Hmm...
Email me.
[email protected]

4/13/2022 9:42:40 PM

Hello All, do we have a draft? Just making sure I don't miss the updates. Thanks!
Biddygoat
Julie Chandler
[email protected]

4/14/2022 1:21:35 PM

Ohio

I’m in!
Adam Steiner
[email protected]
3.22

4/15/2022 9:17:29 AM

Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

I'll try the draft!
Becky Settlage
[email protected]
2.56

4/16/2022 12:37:51 AM

Uk

I'm game
Draft
Chris Evans
UK
[email protected]
PB 6lbs 2oz

4/16/2022 3:55:18 PM

New Berlin,NY

Put me in the draft
Christopher MacDonald
[email protected]
PB 8.1.

Now if Brown, Lyons, or Wixom, wanted to form Team Chris, i'd be game!!!

4/17/2022 9:41:26 PM

Valencia

Think we should call this Zeke challenge in respect to Zeke RIP

4/18/2022 4:31:41 AM

Valencia

Framac now that would be a winner you, Brown and wixom

4/18/2022 4:32:51 AM

50 Acres

I like Zeke Challenge. Jim

4/18/2022 8:17:08 AM

Wixom MI.

Lol... I would love that team framac the 4 Chris's

Chris brown
Chris Lyon
Chris MacDonald
Chris konieczny

We would have to make Chris the team captain and then Chris would have to tell Chris that their is only room for Chris, Chris,and Chris so Chris would have to go ???

Unfortunately I believe that team Hammer from last year is still a go so that would make me unavailable !!! Sorry about that.

4/18/2022 1:40:24 PM

Wixom MI.

Hey ned if you have any of those Easter egg seeds I would be happy to grow them in honor of zeke Mike demars

4/18/2022 1:42:46 PM

Eastern, WA

OK be brave whew got my Littles to help me Team Star Wars: Kendra "Elaine" DeArth,Luke Alden DeArth age 5, & Susan Elaine DeArth age 4,(& cheering section Joel "Fred"ric DeArth age 1, & Seth Kenderic DeArth-Miller age 17, & Nathaniel Otto DeArth age 10 in may)

email:[email protected]

PB:TBA in fall this 1st spring in our new home trying for a safe new start.

4/18/2022 1:48:49 PM

Lakewood, WA

"The Zeke Challenge" sounds more intriguing than "The 5-Gallon Bucket Contest."

4/18/2022 4:45:11 PM

Eastern, WA

Recruited Gerry Gadberry to be on my team

4/18/2022 7:34:20 PM

Vancouver, Washington

Starting mine this weekend.

4/21/2022 2:00:16 AM

Gone With The Win

I feel like I'm so behind thus year! QUit WITH THE RAIN PLZ!!

4/22/2022 12:25:26 PM

Fullerton, California

Draft
John Brinkley
[email protected]
PB 4.71

4/24/2022 7:20:57 PM

San Diego, CA

There's got to be a few more A-growers out there that can participate in the draft. More depth at the top-level is needed. If you're on the fence, this is the plea to engage. Thanks!

4/25/2022 1:02:47 AM

Christopher Chandler (team with Julie Chandler) PB 3.93# 2020 as a first time grower. He is back for another round.
[email protected]

4/25/2022 12:33:17 PM

Roseville CA

I like others am still looking for a team lol. One incentive to pick me is that I have a Gardening YT channel :D.

4/26/2022 3:51:27 AM

Woodley, Reading, UK

Draft
Curtis Leach
PB 5.61
[email protected]

4/26/2022 4:39:12 PM

Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

Okay, so Jack LaRue talked Hawaii into developing a team...so Porkchop, pull me outta the Draft...I got 2 other families to join me in forming an Open team. Everyone come cheer us on, since we are going to be the underdogs...we're gonna need all the encouragement we can get!!...LOL

Team Hang Loose
Becky Settlage
(Sam) Yip Ohana
(Lissa) Van Kralingen Ohana

4/27/2022 11:25:18 AM

Central NY

Wooohoooo!!!

4/27/2022 1:23:10 PM

Central NY

I’m gonna extend sign-up until Friday May 6. Draft will take place in the chat room on Saturday may 7th at high noon. eastern. No need to attend but always nice to stop in and say hi and meet some other growers. Spread the word!

4/27/2022 1:39:08 PM

Colorado

Ill give it a go again been away from maters for a few years now

Draft
Andrew
[email protected]
PB 1.33 (winter challenge a few years back)

4/27/2022 8:10:26 PM

Roseville CA

Can't wait for the draft... Too bad, I don't think I can make it though. Cant wait to see who my teammates are!

5/2/2022 7:30:20 PM

Central NY

No worries if you can’t make it…I will post the results.

5/2/2022 7:41:39 PM

Vancouver, Washington

Update on when teams are getting put together?

5/5/2022 12:06:48 AM

Central NY

This Saturday

5/5/2022 6:33:44 AM

Central NY

This Saturday

5/5/2022 6:33:44 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Ok I will bite, I will have a Draught!
I had talked with Zeke about it and since its his namesake this year I don't want to miss out on all the fun. I am planting fewer plants but will give it a go.

Ned
[email protected]
PB. 5.53

5/5/2022 11:00:42 AM

Gone With The Win

DRaft For me Plz.. 3.68

[email protected]

5/5/2022 6:20:27 PM

Vancouver, Washington

Sweet can't wait

5/5/2022 8:23:04 PM

Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

Okay...so Hawaii was able to put together another team...

Team Big Red Head
Tony Vera
Tony Sylvester
Ed Olson-Moore

5/6/2022 11:10:55 AM

Central NY

Todd kogut-rookie….we need one more for the draft!!!!!!

5/6/2022 8:04:42 PM

Central NY

Wolfpack 4.12 draft

5/6/2022 9:12:06 PM

Central NY

That’ll do it, Sign up is now closed for the draft. Teams will be divided and drafted at noon tomrw.

5/6/2022 9:13:23 PM

Central NY

That’ll do it, Sign up is now closed for the draft. Teams will be divided and drafted at noon tomrw.

5/6/2022 9:13:29 PM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

For open Team competition
Team NTK will consist of
Chris Brown
Rick Jolivette
Kerry Gross

Grow’em Big everyone!! Let’s see some 10 pounders!!!

5/6/2022 10:05:58 PM

Vancouver, Washington

Okay team 7
now how do I get in contact with my team members?

5/7/2022 6:03:14 PM

Central NY

I’ll post the team list tomrow

5/7/2022 6:12:19 PM

Vancouver, Washington

Sweet thank you
The only one I haven't got ahold of yet is johhny B.

5/7/2022 7:37:33 PM

Marshfield, Ma, USA

Draft

Ed Pappas

[email protected]

2.0 POUNDS

5/8/2022 6:26:34 AM

Central NY

Ed!!… you missed it!!..we drafted teams yesterday! Thanks Ken for setting that up. Theres Still time to form a 3 person team for the Open. I know both wile and Scott L were on the fence. Form a team and sign-up!!

5/8/2022 7:55:52 AM

Hi All, Just checking to see if there are any team updates. We're ready and our weather has finally climbed into the 70's.

5/9/2022 10:57:55 PM

San Diego, CA

Christopher, et al... the draft teams are posted on Porkchop's diary.

5/9/2022 11:10:51 PM

Thankyou! Christopher and I are ready to rock.

5/10/2022 12:48:48 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

I would like to announce Team 9’s members.
Tomatotim & I will be joined by Ed Pappas (Pumpkineer) as our new C grower.
We wish all of the other teams the best of luck this year…Because you’re going to need it! Ha! The trash-talking has begun!

5/20/2022 5:00:10 PM

Gone With The Win

Woot Woot

5/22/2022 12:45:08 PM

San Diego, CA

Hey Porkchop, so we're all on the same sheet of music....
what's the cutoff date for the team contest weigh ins? Last year was Sunday, Oct 17. Thanks and good luck to all!

6/3/2022 8:32:26 PM

Central NY

The second Saturday in October.

6/3/2022 8:44:44 PM