Bush type tomatoes like Roma which I did last yr. Lot of tomatoes but taste wasn't that good compared to the indeterminate ones in the raised beds. Any particular reason not to use the tomato cage?

We've grown our tomatoes in large pots every year for several years and have grown a wide variety that way--everything from the large beefsteak tomatoes to cherry tomatoes like sungold. Uually, we grow the indeterminate tomatoes, though we have grown some determinate types on occasion. We've always used tomato cages, and just assemble the cages (ours are mostly made out of pvc pipe and connectors) around the pots or stick the wire cages directly into the soil in the pots. The wire cages aren't really tall enough and, if we use them, we tie a second cage (upside down) onto the top of the first cage. I have never tried growing tomatoes without cages. We never cage our peppers and we also grow them in pots. Usually, we grow bell peppers, jalapenos and one other type (varies each year). We've had a lot of success growing tomatoes and peppers in pots and it's actually our preferred way of growing them now.

Welcome to the wonderful world of gardening!

Some "No staking needed" tomato plants you may be able to find in stores is "Sweet n Neat" and "Patio" and "Red Robin". I've tried those, and other container varieties in the stores around here. Wasn't really knocked over by the taste, but they were OK.

If you're starting from seeds, I suggest just browse through a good seed/plant website, read reviews, and pick what sounds interesting to you.

I'm going all out this year with container tomatoes - trying many varieties from the 'Dwarf Tomato Project' especially. Also looking most forward to the 'Snow Fairy' tomato this year. The seeds have all popped up and are about 6 inches tall already.

My favorite container tomato in the past is "Stupice". It does need some support, but its a great tomato.

Good luck to you!

last year I ve grown some in raised garden and some in container..Raised garden ones tasted better.. container ones does not get bigger like the other ones.. you ll still need tomatoes cages for containers as well.. I did some cucumbers in container as well,not tasted as good ... good luck.. try to get non gmo varieties they taste heavenly :)

I also grew Stupice as calamondivedave mentioned above, and liked the taste. Another one I really liked is Mano. Very sturdy plant, fruit is nice and firm and 'just right size'. I used 1 bamboo stake since it was heavy with fruit (square stake in background is different plant); plants were about 2'tall:

Thank you everyone for your help! I got Stupice, an heirloom cherry, and bush early girl. I started the seeds this weekend, our last frost dat isn't until May so it gives them over a month under a grow light. I also started mini bell peppers and cucumber. I already have lettuce going so here's hoping for a bountiful salad!

I'm not sure what you mean by "grow light."

Seedlings like very bright, white light. For some tomato and pepper seeds, fluorescent light works best (because there's some UV in fluorescent light, making it a better "artificial sunlight").

The "bloomin' purple" or "bl'urple" LED grow lights are not that good for seedlings. They tend to stimulate blossoming way before you want the seedlings blossoming.