Steve Somerville
Pasquale Binetti proudly shows off his giant tomatoes, grown in his Woodbridge back yard. Mr. Binetti used No. 1 Giganti seeds to grow these tomatoes, one of which can feed a family of six, he jokes.
Vaughan
September 06, 2008 11:16 PM
The Binettis have so far made 21 jars of tomato sauce, with many more to come
By: Keely Grasser
Growing giant tomatoes like Pasquale Binetti’s has its benefits when the whole family comes over to eat.
“You slice one of them and you can feed six or seven people,” he said during an interview in his Woodbridge garden, near Langstaff Road and Hwy. 27.
It is here, where among other veggies, Mr. Binetti grows his tomatoes, some of which have to be held in two hands.
A good part of the passionate gardener’s back yard is dedicated to vegetable growing.
He not only grows different varieties of tomatoes — No. 1 Giganti seed providing the largest — but other vegetables, such as Sicilian eggplant and spaghetti beans.
Mr. Binetti said he has been growing tomatoes since he came to Canada as a young man 56 years ago.
However, this year’s crop of monster tomatoes is extraordinary.
“They keep falling down because the weight is so big,” he said, showing that he tied the tomatoes to the vine so they won’t fall and had to reinforce the stalks with sticks.
He attributes this success to good seed and how he uses a machine to till around the plants every eight to 10 days.
His plants are also well-watered, he said.
Mr. Binetti stresses there are no chemicals in his tomatoes.
“When you eat a tomato like this, it’s pure. No fertilizer,” he said, adding that you can’t get tomatoes like his in your local grocery store.
His wife, Bianca, agrees.
They are sweeter, she said.
The Binettis put their tomatoes to good use. Mr. Binetti said he gives a lot away to family.
They are also busy making tomato sauce. Already, they have made 21 jars, just from the garden.
However, there are plenty where those already picked came from: dozens are still ripening in the Binettis’ garage and there is possibly hundreds in varying stages of ripeness in their back yard gardens.
Mr. Binetti grows several kinds of tomatoes, along with other vegetables, like spaghetti beans.
He’s actually no stranger to producing giant vegetables. One of his Sicilian zucchinis grew to be eight-and-a-half feet long a few years back, he said.
Mr. Binetti said he’s had a garden at every house he’s lived in. He likes sharing his harvest with family, he said, adding that the hours he spends in his garden keep him fit.
And, of course, he likes to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
The best way to enjoy a large tomato, he said, is sliced, with extra virgin olive oil, some garlic and a little bit of basil.