Bethpage retiree: '10 tomato plants biggest yet

Cosimo Commisso, 93, of Bethpage, has been growing tomatoes for 64 years. The former Levittown ice cream man grows only beefsteaks, some from purchased transplants and others from seed, which he starts in a cold frame outdoors in early spring and treats to 10-10-10 fertilizer treatments throughout the season.

This year, he says his plants are the largest he's ever grown. We're hoping to see him at The Great Long Island Tomato Challenge - with the biggest tomato he's ever grown.

Are you in?

Bring your largest tomato to Newsday (235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, for fun, facts and a weigh-in.

E-mail your photo and tomato-growing story and tips to jessica.damiano@newsday.com, and you might be featured next.