Growing tomatoes has to be one of the most rewarding of all vegetable growing activities. Seeing those large red globes appear, as if from nowhere, is awe-inspiring.
There are hundreds of tomato varieties you can grow so try growing two or three different ones. Once you find a favorite you can then grow that one every year, and a few others, just in case you find an even better one.
Most tomatoes grow better in a greenhouse, but most gardeners do not have a greenhouse and must grow their tomatoes outdoors. A conservatory makes a good alternative to a greenhouse, better in some ways because it is larger and better ventilated.
You can start now by experimenting by buying different varieties of tomatoes at the supermarket. Try the yellow varieties because their taste is unbelievable. They are expensive, but if you like them then next year you can grow your own.
Order your seeds from specialist seed catalogs if you want the maximum choice. Garden centers only stock a few of the most popular varieties of seeds.
You need to decide between bush type tomatoes and the traditional type that require staking. If you grow bush tomatoes they are best grown in large containers to keep the fruits off the ground. You might have seen photos of bush tomatoes growing in hanging baskets - Forget it. There is not enough compost to support the roots of a tomato plant in any hanging basket.