The Great Long Island Tomato Challenge 2009

Tomato hopefuls are greeted by Newsday Garden Detective Jessica Damiano, who's handing out sign-in sheets to enter the contest for weigh-ins during the third annual great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday's headquarters in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

People receive sign-in sheets as they arrive at the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday headquarters in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Jessica Damiano talks about growing tomatoes during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Attendees listen to Jessica Damiano as she talks about growing tomatoes during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Diane Petito of West Islip weighs her tomato during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Jessica Damiano and Tom Long weigh his tomato during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Marissa Armstrong, 4, weighs her tomato during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Kim Politano of Deer Park weighs her 4-pound, 4-ounce tomato during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

A closer look at Kim Politano's tomato, which weighs 4 pounds, 4 ounces, during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Harold Politano of Deer Park weighs his winning tomato, a 4-pound, 9-ounce Burpee Porterhouse, during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Harold Politano of Deer Park weighs his winning entry, a 4-pound, 9-ounce tomato, during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Harold Politano of Deer Park displays his winning tomato, which weighed 4 pounds, 9 ounces, for the other entrants to photograph at the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Harold Politano of Deer Park shows off his winning tomato, weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces, during the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009)

Harold Politano of Deer Park is crowned Tomato King at the third annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday in Melville. His Burpee Porterhouse weighed in at 4 pounds, 9 ounces. (Aug. 28, 2009)