Watch: Southwood Landscape Fights Hunger By Growing Tomato Plants

Southwood Landscape and Garden Center is making an impact by growing tomato plants.

"Plant a Row for the Hungry" is a week-long fundraiser where you can purchase homegrown tomatoes while helping fight hunger in the community.

Rows and rows of tomato plants line the nursery for its biggest fundraiser, where all the money goes to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to help local families. Each tomato plant costs $2, which pays for eight meals for people and families in Green Country.

Former HGTV Star Paul James, “The Gardener Guy,” says last year's event raised $7,500. He says every cent benefits the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. James says tomato plants thrive in warm weather with lots of sunshine.

He says there are over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes and all grow the same way. For classic Italian paste tomato for sauces, try the San Marzano or La Roma Red. He says other popular types are Cherokee Purple, an heirloom tomato, and Sweet 100

Cherry Tomatoes, are the easiest to grow. James says most plants will grow around 40 tomatoes and cherry tomato plants, around 200.

 "This is one of many ways that we like to put our money back into the community and show our support, particularly this cause, because we're talking about people who don't know where their next meal is coming from oftentimes. So this is a great way to help people in need,” James said.

 James says you can plant tomatoes in the ground or a container. He says cover them if temperatures drop below 45 degrees overnight.