Oodles of tomatoes

SANDUSKY — A city resident's small garden has produced huge results. Out of all the years Teresa Santi has planted a garden, this year's surprised her. Santi planted three of the same tomato plants. Two of the plants grew average tomatoes she's used to picking. But one plant went "crazy," she said. The plant is more than 5 feet tall, and tomatoes coming off it are over a pound each. One tomato weighed in at about 2 pounds, 5 ounces. She couldn't believe it. "I've gotten beautiful tomatoes before, but not like this," Santi said. Although Santi can't remember the specific name of the tomatoes she planted, she said they were a pink variety. She didn't do anything special with the soil. "I don't know what happened," she added. Santi also grows basil, parsley, garlic and green beans in her garden. She will occasionally make tomato sauce, but she enjoys eating fresh tomato slices with some salt. Gardening keeps Santi busy. She also plants a variety of colorful flowers around her home. The city of Sandusky gave her home a P.R.I.D.E. Award in 2009 based on its beautiful contribution to the neighborhood. Santi looks forward to her next garden. She plans to take the seeds from her 2-pound tomato so she can plant them next year. "I'm hoping I'll get the big tomatoes again," Santi said.