THIS big red is a whopper and the biggest tomato that Liberatore Allocca has grown.
The 72-year-old, who came to Australia 48 years ago from Italy, has been growing fruit and vegetables as long as he can remember.
At his West Hobart home and on a small plot at Moonah, he also grows olives, wine grapes, apples, nectarines, lemons and a huge variety of vegetables.
Weighing in at 825g, his monster tomato is destined to finish in a bottle of homemade sauce.
“I am delighted with this tomato. The key is good soil and a sunny position,” he said.
At Mount Stuart, Suzanne Best has been harvesting her bumper crop of vegetables and fruit: “The size, texture and colour of the vegetables is amazing.”
In the North, a hail event on January 28 and more than 177mm of rain hit at the wrong time for growers. Tasmanian Garlic and Tomatoes owner Annette Reed said the tomato season had been shaping up well until severe weather hit.
Mrs Reed and husband Nevil will host the second garlic and tomato festival on the family farm at Selbourne on March 20.
More information at tasmaniangarlicandtom atofestival.weebly.com
The Koonya garlic festival runs today, for details visit koonyagarlic festival.com
More rural stories in Tasmanian Country every Friday
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