Growing tomatoes can be a lot of fun, whether in the ground or in pots. There are so many varieties of tomato to choice from that it can be hard to pick. We have many shapes, sizes and even colors. Some shapes are round, oval, and pear, the sizes run from quite small to somewhat large. The colors go on and on beyond the usual red, such as orange, yellow, purple and even striped. When growing tomatoes we need to consider what our family likes and what they are willing to try that is different.

All the varieties of tomatoes are usually divided into two broad groups; early and main season. The early tomato plants usually grow to a certain size, produce a crop, and then die. The main season varieties are almost always indeterminate: they will continue to grow and bear fruit indefinitely, until the frost kills them. In order for the main season variety to continue to grow properly we need to stake them or provide them with a tomato cage or ladder. If we allow them to grow and travel on the ground they will be prone to more diseases.

We can start our tomato growing with seeds if we like, but this should be done indoors about eight weeks or so before the last frost. Once they are strong and hardy enough they can be transplanted in our garden or in larger pots for the garden. Young seedlings can also be purchased from your local garden nursery or home and garden center. The small tags that come with the plant will tell us the variety, size and care of that particular tomato plant.

When we support the tomato plants we can do it a few different ways: We can stake them or train them to climb a trellis, for either of these methods it is best to put the stake or trellis in the ground before planting the tomato. Plant the tomato plant directly in front of the stake or vertical rung of the trellis; when the plant has grown tall enough tie the stem loosely to the stake or rung giving the plant room to grow taller. We can also use a tomato cage or ladder. Once you have planted the tomato, place the smaller end of the cage around the plant and as it grows it will be supported by the cage. A ladder can be closed to look like a triangle and it will support the tomato the same way as the cage or it can be used the same way as a trellis. All of these tomatoes are grown in the ground or in regular pots. The newest way to grow tomatoes is to grow them upside down.

Growing tomatoes upside down is very simple. You can make your own or purchase a special pot that is designed so you can plant the tomato upside down. You simply place your tomato plant in this special pot, upside down, fill the pot with soil, hang your pot from a pole or an eave and watch your tomato gow. You do not have to stake the plant as it will grow upward and start winding around the pot. You water the pot from the top and the excess water drips out the bottom hole, this is where your plant is hanging upside down.

Once your plants have been given enough warm weather, abundant rainfall or watering, they should ripen in 60 to 85 days depending on the variety you have chosen. Once your tomatoes have turned to the color of the species that you have chosen, check them on a daily basis, once they have reached the fullest color of tomato you grew, be it red, yellow, orange or purple, it is time to harvest and enjoy the fruit. As you can see growing tomatoes really isn't very hard and you get a great fruit in the end.
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