Forget Jack and the Beanstalk — Moose Jaw is now home to an impressive tomato plant that has climbed well past head height and into local legend territory.

The plant, originally purchased at The Real Canadian Superstore this spring, now towers at roughly 11 feet, nine inches (about 3.58 metres) and has produced an abundance of orange cherry tomatoes throughout the season.

Retired farmer and longtime hobby gardener Rodney Nash said there was nothing exotic about how it all began.

“(We’re just using) a store-bought potting soil mix — nothing special,” he said. “We added some bone meal to it, some blood meal, and worked it in. After the plants were established, we added a wee bit of (Emerald Harvest) Cal-Mag supplement from a local plant store … and that made all the difference in the world.”

Nash and his wife, Geri, brought the seedling home after finding it late in the spring season. The rack was “picked over,” Nash recalled, and the plant they chose was one of the last options. They also purchased a second indeterminate Gigantico Sun Gold cherry tomato plant, but the leading shoot was accidentally snapped off, hindering its growth.

By mid-September, the vine had reached the top of its appended broom handle support and continues to flower and produce “a lot of fruit.”

The couple credits a simple watering routine more than any specialized products.

“The other secret is rainwater,” Nash said. He stores collected rainwater in two rain barrels and lets the sun take the chill off before watering. “I don’t like an ice-cold shower, and perhaps the plants are the same way.”

Nothing is added to this water, and on hot spells he simply includes a late evening soak to his daily morning watering routine.

The couple’s experience may resonate with Prairie gardeners who favour fundamentals over fuss: a decent potting mix, a couple of classic amendments, warmth, and consistent moisture. It also helps that the season delivered timely early-season rain and a strong start, he said.

The Nash family never intended to grow competitively or see how large they could grow a plant this season, but they’re already inspired for next year. “We’re extremely happy (with these tomato plants). We’ll get them again next year,” Nash said, adding that he plans to save a few seeds to grow a few of his own.

Nash has gardened seriously for about 15 years after many years of organic and conventional farming, but he’s quick to point out the tomato has been a two-person project from day one. “We work on it as a team,” he added.

For now, the goal is to stretch the season and keep the vine setting fruit as long as the weather allows. “It’s just a monster,” Geri said with a grin. “We’re not looking forward to the frost, because this has been our pride and joy all summer. We’ll be sad to see it go.”

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express