Long-time Stanford native James Hale has grown a 12-foot tall grape tomato plant in his backyard in the Goshen Cutoff area.
When long-time Stanford native James Hale saw last week’s Interior Journal article about a 7-foot tomato plant, he felt compelled to share the story of his own tomato plant success. Hale has grown a 12-foot tall grape tomato plant in his backyard in the Goshen Cutoff residential area.
Hale has done nothing to encourage the growth of the plant. “[It’s] just the kind of ‘maters it is,” Hale said. Hale said that it is nothing for his plants to grow well over 7-foot, but that the size of this year’s is a bit unusual. It will be a couple of days before any tomatoes reappear, but every yellow flower will turn into a small red vegetable.
In three months, Hale will celebrate his 89th birthday. He retired as a building contractor at the age of 80 and operated a farm for five years. He sold the farm and now tends to the small garden in his backyard. “Don’t think hard work will kill ya,” Hale said.
The plant produces an abundance of tomatoes and should continue to do so until the fall. Hale shares his tomatoes, giving them away to anyone who might enjoy them.
Hale has done nothing to encourage the growth of the plant. “[It’s] just the kind of ‘maters it is,” Hale said. Hale said that it is nothing for his plants to grow well over 7-foot, but that the size of this year’s is a bit unusual. It will be a couple of days before any tomatoes reappear, but every yellow flower will turn into a small red vegetable.
In three months, Hale will celebrate his 89th birthday. He retired as a building contractor at the age of 80 and operated a farm for five years. He sold the farm and now tends to the small garden in his backyard. “Don’t think hard work will kill ya,” Hale said.
The plant produces an abundance of tomatoes and should continue to do so until the fall. Hale shares his tomatoes, giving them away to anyone who might enjoy them.
