| NAME | TOWN | VARIETY | PLATFORM |
| Matthew Ippolito | Selden | Burpee Porterhouse | Sun, water, Garden-Tone |
Matthew Ippolito from Selden believes he has a shot at growing Long Island's biggest tomato. His 15 x 20 foot garden has yielded two-pounders in the past but he's banking on Burpee's Porterhouse hybrid tomato this year, hoping for a four-pound whopper.
He's also growing Mortgage Lifter, Black Brandywine and Cherokee purple varieties, but he says the Porterhouse is his "strongest competitor."
"I picked up the hobby from my grandfather," said Ippolito, 36, a human resources assistant with the I.R.S., who is growing plants in the same plot his grandfather nurtured years ago. "Nothing too fancy in the dirt," he said, when asked about his methods. "Just lots of sun and water. And I put down some Garden-Tone about once a month."
ARE YOU IN?
Think you'll grow Long Island's biggest tomato this year? Tell me your story, your plan and your secret. Drop me a line at jessica.damiano@newsday.com. Be sure to include your name, town, phone number and tomato plant details. You must be willing to be photographed and be available for periodic visits. If you have photos of yourself in your garden, send them too. No experience is necessary. The winner will be announced at the end of the season.
Progress will be followed right here, on the Garden Detective blog.
