The best part of summer is a fresh, sun-warmed red juicy vine ripened tomato. Depending on where you live this can be a long or short season.

So how do you pick a tomato in your local store? One important trait is its smell. If it looks like a tomato and smells like a tomato, it is a good tomato to pick. Choose a tomato with no bruises or cracks. Always try to support your local growers in your community for their fresh vegetables.

There are three different types of tomatoes. They are cherry tomatoes- good for salads and eating, plum tomatoes- good for sauce, soups and canning and don't forget the slicing tomatoes-great on a fresh bread on those hot summer days. Tomatoes should be left on the counter and most importantly never refrigerate them.

Nutritionist have been saying that tomatoes are good for you because they contain Lycopene. "Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, it may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases", according to lycopene.org.

If you look out on my deck you will see the most beautiful tomatoes ever. I know this because our neighbors are constantly checking over our fence and it is not so see us. This is because we found a fool proof way to grow tomatoes with very little work. The secret is using "Earth Boxes" earthbox.com.

Once you fill the earth box with all that is required, soil, lime and fertilizer you go to your local garden center and purchase tomato plants. The tomato plant is contained in the box and the soil is covered so there is no weeding. Earth boxes are self watering containers so you can't over water your plants. This is great because it takes up very little space. Just place them where you get lots of sun and water as needed about every 1-3 days.

Personally, I choose to grow the beefsteak variety along with sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Don't forget to plant some green leaf lettuce for completely fresh salads during the summer.

Now what do you do with all these tomatoes? How about canning? Sauce? Salsa? The possibilities are endless. Go online for many recipes and suggestions.