What is easiest and best way to grow tomatoes?

Here are some really helpful tips from fellow hometalkers to help you get started http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/tomatoes/growing-tomatoes-in-five-gallon-buckets-1618549 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/-9593267 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/tomatoes/guide-to-growing-tomatoes-2032339

go to www.aGardenPatch.com and check out their grow boxes. The only way to garden. Requires very little work after planting.

easy and best depends..........how many tomato plants and what you will do with the fruits? if you want a contentious supply for for salads, blt's, 4 plants of the indeterminate variety, canning tomato juice/ whole tomato 16 or so plants of the determinate varieties . roma types are generally best for salsa .

so ...if you have a yard that gets full sun, and you can strip the sod for a growing space, that's my 1st choice. have the soil tested, and amend if needed. fashion supports for the tomato plants and lay down a weed barrier. put the plants about 2- 3 feet from each other.

2nd choice - min. of 5 gallon container. 5 or 7 gallon plastic pails, grow bags.

now, i haven't tried this yet....but i have seen veggie plants in bagged potting soil as a "container".

I think it is recommended that you need to plant them where they will receive a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Although I have yet to try it, I saw a newspaper article where this person grew his using 6 inch PVC tubing. He drilled 1 and a half ( 1 1/2" ) holes in the tubing, and inserted the plants into the holes, and used potting soil for the medium. Plug the ends so all the soil will not wash out, and water thru the holes. The article showed a picture of his setup, and it seemed to be working great for him.

This sounds like an awesome idea, because you wouldn't have to worry about ground rot, or weeds around the plants, and a few others problems..it would be similar to those " Topsy Turvy " hanging containers which have the plant growing out of the bottom of the container.

I grow mine in a 5 gallon bucket. I drill 6 holes around the sides about 1/2" from the bottom and add a 2" layer of small stones for drainage. I fill it with a combination of garden soil and compost mix, then add my store bought tomato plant. I make sure I get a healthy looking plant with buds already starting. I've tried growing from seeds but I haven't had much luck with that. Put your tomato cage in and place the bucket in a sunny area. Personally, I use old yard sticks or wooden dowels and wrap yarn or twine around them at 6" intervals. Good luck!