[KYHeirloomer]

>Last year I planted two varieties in pots with a little less than stellar results. This year I'm going to try planting the tomato plants in with the landscaping...we'll see if I get better results.<

I grow tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets all the time, Dan, as well as in larger (i.e., 20 gallon) tubs. They grow just as well as those growing free in the garden.

What you have to be aware of, whether tomatoes or anything else, is that container gardening has it's own rules. Primarily this means monitoring moisture and nutrient levels more carefully. Containers tend to dry out faster than the ground surrounding them. Which means more frequent watering. Which means you are leaching nutrients out. Which, in turn, means fertilizing more frequently.

Don't know what your preferences are in terms of supporting the plants. But with containers, wire towers definately make more sense than poles.

Personally, I don't think tomatoes make good landscaping plants. For that I prefer things like okra---whose plants are self-supporting and whose flowers are gorgeous. Eggplant and peppers also are a better fit.

Tomato plants want to sprawl (their natural inclination is to creep all over the ground). And the flowers aren't particularly showy.

Were it me, I'd try containers again, paying attention to each plants' needs.