Jim Z's Tomato Showdown
Jim Z’s Tomato Showdown is your chance to win a $1,000 cash prize by growing the best tomato in the Treasure Valley. Tomatoes will be judged based on appearance, plant size, fruit size, and yield. Finalists will also have their tomatoes judged on flavor!
To enter, fill out the form below and submit a photo of your tomato plant.
Whether you’re growing a giant slicer, a colorful heirloom, or your tastiest backyard tomato yet, we can’t wait to see what you grow.
• The prize is $1,000 in cash, generously provided by Jim Zamzow, to be awarded to the winner of the “best tomato plant” contest selected in September of this year.
• Each participant can choose only 1 tomato plant to enter the competition and is limited to 1 entry per participant. Entry into the competition is free.
• Employees may enter a separate, company-exclusive competition.
• A winner will be determined by their tomato plant’s performance in several categories, including vertical height and size, lbs of yield, health of plant, and usage of natural fertilizer. Special attention will be paid to the height and size of the tomato plant and lbs of yield. Finalists will also be judged by the taste and quality of tomatoes produced by their plant.
• June 30th is the deadline to fill out and submit registration online to participate in the competition. Registration is free.
• Customers must send in 3 check-in photos taken of their tomato throughout the season to be considered eligible to win.
• Check-in photos are due for each participating plant by July 10th, August 1st, and September 1st via email sent to Tomato@zamzows.com. Failure to submit 3 check-in photos by their corresponding deadlines may result in disqualification.
• Check in photos emailed to Tomato@zamzows.com and should be titled using the following format: “Zamzows Tomato Competition 2026 First name, Last name”
- For the July 10th check-in photo, send in 1 photo of your tomato from 10ft away from the plant, displaying its developing shape and location in your garden.
- For the August 1st check-in photo, please take 2 pictures from your tomato’s most photogenic sides, one up close within 5ft and another at 10ft away. We are interested in seeing how many fruit you have set, blooms, the health and thickness of leaves and stems, and the development of the plant since the July 10th photos.
- For the September 1st check-in, please submit 3 photos of your plant, each showcasing a different perspective. Please take 1 photo that showcases the size of the plant from 10ft away. This photo should also clearly confirm your tomato plant is the same plant you submitted pictures of in the last 2 check ins. Please take a close-up photo within 5ft of the plant that showcases the yield, thickness of stems, and quality of its fruit. Finally, take 1 photo that best showcases why your plant should be considered as a finalist in this competition. This photo should shine a spotlight on your tomato plant’s performance in some or all of the following competition categories: Appearance, Yield, Plant Size, and Fruit Size/Quality. Based on these photos, finalists will be contacted and visited by Jim Zamzow and our panel of judges.
- We also highly encourage competitors to measure or provide a best estimate of your plant’s vertical height and pounds of yield at the time you submit your check-in photos.
• 3 finalists will be determined by their September 1st check-in photos, then assessed in person by a panel of judges, with the primary judge being Jim Zamzow.
• Participants are encouraged to use Zamzows fertilizer or other natural products to grow their tomatoes, but are not required to exclusively use Zamzows fertilizer products to grow their tomatoes.
• To be judged as a finalist, a participant must be within 30 miles of a Zamzows retail location. Participants must live in the state of Idaho to participate.
• By participating in this competition, the participant grants permission for Zamzows Inc to use their name, likeness, and submitted photos on their social media sites, websites, and in other marketing materials. A participant may contact the company in writing if they would like a photo of themselves or their tomato removed within 10 days for removal.
Please send questions and concerns to Tomato@zamzows.com
Happy Tomato Growing! -Zamzows Team
Competition Categories
Appearance:
Tomatoes will be judged on overall visual quality, including color, shape, and smoothness. Healthy, vibrant tomatoes with standout visual appeal will score highest.
Yield:
Contestants will earn points based on the productivity of their tomato plants. Judges will consider how many tomatoes the plant produces and the overall health.
Plant Size:
We will look at overall plant vigor and fullness. A plant of impressive size, with strong stems, healthy foliage, and vigorous growth, will help boost your overall score.
Fruit Size:
We will account for different plant types. Judges will measure and compare tomato size, rewarding growers who produce large fruit.
Flavor (Finalists):
Top finalists will participate in a taste test where flavor becomes the deciding factor.
The Tomato Growers Collection
About Jim
Jim Zamzow is the eldest grandson of the founders of Zamzows Inc. and grew up working in the family business. He and his brother, Rick, expanded the company's focus from fuel and animal feed to a lawn, garden, and pet superstore. In 1990, Jim became the media spokesman for Zamzows on radio and television commercials and has since propelled Zamzows to become a household name across the Treasure Valley.
