I have to plant tomato plants in the front yard. Is there any way to make them look more "appropriate" for

the front yard?

I have to plant tomato plants in the front yard. Is there any way to make them look more "appropriate" for
Plant compact "bush" tomatoes in containers..they stay compact...I plant basil near all of my tomatoes for it actually "sweetens" the tomatoes up..they are great companion plants...


Notice the basil on each side of my vining tomatoes here





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





These are bush variety tomatoes here about 2 months ago..they have tomatoes all over them now and only 2 foot high..notice again..the small basil plant I planted with them..





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





4 pages of pictures of my garden if you care to see..these plants are much taller and fruiting now...many nice pics here..





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/
Reply:Tomato plants look fine in the front yard. They exemplify the concept of "cottage garden." Plant marigolds all around them, since marigolds like exactly the same hot sunny conditions and marigolds also are good companion plants for tomatoes. I have also grown dill around them, cosmos, etc. Tomato plants can be quite beautiful.
Reply:My concern is your neighbors will help themselves to the ripening fruit......usually the little old ladies.





Yes they can be made to look OK. If you live in a grey sky climate, tomatoes are often grown on poles and trained to a single (sorta) stem attached to the pole. To keep the plant on the plole the suckers are pinched out. These are leaves that grown where a previous leaf is already growning at the stem (bad explanation.......google tomato sucker, probably find a picture)





With the upright growth the fruit gets the maximum sunlight leaving you all the ground area for planting pretties as mentioned above.





If you live in a bright sky climate, then tomatoes are often grown within cages and fewer , if any, suckers are removed, allowing more foliage to develop and protect the fruit from excessive sun. The tomatoes are then contained within the cages and carefully tied onto the wires (old nylon stockings are great ties)





Once again surround the plants with pretties. I'd even throw in basil...several different types for color, smell and of course flavor in the kitchen. Chives are cute little edging plants. Carrots have frilly foliage. Marigolds don't really repel bugs as claimed for years but they sure are pretty among the garden plants.





Seriously consider some type of obstacle that is also ornamental to keep the neighbors away.
Reply:Yes. I have the hanging tomato plants hanging outside my kitchen window. It looks cool. They grow really well. I also have a hanging garden of other vegetables and herbs on my front porch. People love them!





https://www.hangingtomato.com/?cid=47434...
Reply:Just plant them with some annuals, particularly red ones!. if you put down petunias, they may even blend it. Put them near your shrubs, etc. Just make sure you can give the tomatoes as much sun as you can.
Reply:I would put some zinnias or something colorful in front of them with the tomatoes behind.