First place for Amityville tomato gardener, again

Amityville resident Bill Jordan took first prize for the heaviest tomato (2 pounds , 14 ounces) at the Hicks Nurseries 11th Annual Tomato Contest. This is the second year in a row that Jordan has garnered the top award. Each fall the nursery holds a tomato growing contest giving prizes for the heaviest, largest circumference, most unusual and tiniest tomatoes.

Tomato growers aren't the only home gardeners competing at Hicks Nurseries, 1000 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury. Long Island pumpkin, chrysanthemum and dahlia growers will be out in full force at the nursery during October.

On Sunday, October 5 at noon, the nursery will hold its 6th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Last year's prize winning pumpkin set a Long Island record, tipping the scales at 1249 pounds. On October 11 and 12, the Long Island Chrysanthemum Society will hold its 54th annual show. Members will display their flowers as they compete for blue ribbons and other awards. On October 18 and 19, the Mid-Island Dahlia Society will put on a dazzling show of dahlias from the size of a thumbnail to 12 inches (dinner plate) in diameter.

All events are free and open to the public.