Tomatoes aren't very hardy and are very susceptible to frost. Therefore, you should only consider planting tomatoes outdoors after any threat of frost has passed. For instance, if you live in Georgia, common spring planting dates are March 25 - May 1 while common fall planting dates are June 1 - August 10.

As I've discussed here before, tomatoes do not like temperature below 50 degrees F. It's completely possible to grow tomatoes through the winter, especially if you live in the South. Either way, you'll probably need to bring your tomato plants in during cold snaps, but be sure to leave them outside on nice days so they get plenty of sunshine. Good luck!

There are primarily two different types of tomato plants: Determinate and Indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain height, typically no more than 4 feet, and tend to bush out. Indeterminate tomatoes grow more in a vining nature and can get as tall as 10 feet. Many people pinch off the suckers in order to train an indeterminate tomato, although this is not necessary. So next time you buy your tomato plants look to see if you're buying Determinate or Indeterminate plants.

Don't have a lot of space to plant? That's probably the case if you're considering the topsy turvy tomato planter. The square foot gardening technique may be a great solution for you if you have limited space. I've had much success with my tomatoes in a 4x4 square foot garden block. The tomato plants seem to love Mel's soil mix. The funny thing about his soil mix is that it doesn't contain soil! I recommend buying his book and experimenting with his techniques:

Similar to many fruits and vegetables, tomatoes need just enough water to keep them from wilting, but not too much water. That's not a very good answer I know. It is a delicate balance watering tomatoes, but the key is to keep an eye on them. Just try not to let them wilt. If they're wilting, then obviously they need more water. The best way to water tomatoes is with a watering can left outside full of warm water. Cold water from the hose can sometimes shock tomato plants. So after you've watered your Topsy Turvey Tomato plants with the warm water from your watering can, just refill the can and leave it out until you water the next time.

Why not try your hand at starting some heirloom tomatoes from seed:

From my personal experience, it's best to plant tomatoes in your area after the night-time low temperatures no longer drop below 50 degrees F. This may be difficult in northern climates, but most tomatoes just don't handle temperature well below 50 degrees. If you plant outside too early, your tomatoes will be set back and will take much longer to get going. Good luck this season!

Covering tomatoes is a tricky subject for me. Everyone seems to have an "easy" solution for this, but I've run into problems on very cold nights. Most tomatoes aren't cold-hardy at all. Tomatoes can get set-back many weeks with temperatures even in the low to upper thirties. It's crucial to not plant tomatoes in the ground until the warm weather has arrived (for good). Do not cover tomatoes with plastic as they'll still freeze underneath and any moisture trapped underneath the plastic cover will freeze to the plant as well. Use old towels or blankets and wrap them around the tomatoes. Then throw a bigger blanket over the entire space. Good luck with this as you'll probably lose your tomatoes anyway. That's what makes the Topsy Turvy so great. Just bring the whole thing indoors on cold nights. Or you can experiment with hydroponic tomatoes:

Tomatoes should not be in constantly wet soil. Tomatoes should also not be exposed to prolonged dry conditions allowing them to wilt. They grow best when planted in well drained soil with about 1.5 inches of rain per week. Remember, don't water the leaves and you'll avoid a fungal infection down the road.

So what is Lycopene? Lycopene is an antioxidant, naturally found in tomatoes, that neutralizes free radicals which can damage the body's cells. Did you know that people in the early 1800's used to think tomatoes were poisonous? Little did they know that tomatoes are in fact not poisonous, but great for our health!

Read more about Lycopene with this great book: