Big hopes for giant tomato - Nov 08, 2013
Grower's $6 Starts Campaign for Africa
Who would have thought the seeds of a gigantic heirloom tomato could provide hope and support for people in Africa? Horticulturalist Tim Pickles did.
The Tim's Garden Centre owner invested $6 in a single, enormous tomato recently, and has transformed his investment into a fundraising campaign.
Using the numerous seeds from the giant "Mortgage Lifter" tomato, Mr Pickles has grown 300 plants, which he is selling from his garden centre to raise money for the
African Aids Foundation, based in Camden.
"It cost me $6 for the one tomato from the Noosa Produce Markets," Mr Pickles
said.
Mr Pickles said using seeds from the huge tomato would increase the probability of his plants producing equally large tomatoes.
"They have soft skin and are tasty, not like the other kind, which are grown for tough skin to be able to survive and end up in the supermarket. Those don't have much flavour," he said.
Mr Pickles said the $6 tomato had an interesting story, with its origins in 1930 America. It was bred by a mechanic, Marshall Byles, whose nickname was Radiator Charlie. Byles' tomatoes were thus named Radiator Charlie's Mortgage Lifter Tomato and made him a fortune.
Tim's Garden Centre is selling the plants for $4.50 each. All money will be donated to the African Aids Foundation.
For more information phone 4626 7022