JACKSON MAN GROWS 3.05 POUND TOMATO

JACKSON -- Howard LaChance has grown a lot of tomatoes over the years. But, he said, none could compare to the 3.05-pound one he picked recently.

LaChance wasted no time in showing it off to friends and acquaintances. Bigger than a softball, the tomato was clearly a conversation piece.

"I have a big garden every year. But this is the first time I have ever grown one that big," said LaChance.

"It's the biggest one I've ever seen. I have been gardening practically 50 years," he said.

LaChance said He was looking forward to eating the tomato.

While it's the biggest one he has ever grown, LaChance pointed out that his garden has yielded some good-sized tomatoes this year.

He said he picked 14 tomatoes one morning and filled up a five-gallon bucket.

"I've just got a rich garden," he said. "This has been a good year. We've gotten a lot of rain."

LaChance is no stranger to large produce. "Several years ago I had a turnip that weighed 10 pounds. It was about like a bowling ball."

He's already looking ahead to this fall when the big pumpkin he is growing will be ready for harvest.