There are no two ways about it, tomatoes are a fruit. The seeds must be started indoors (we provide instructions with every order) and not planted out until your weather has warmed reliably. Determinate tomatoes do not have to be staked as their vines are short, but they still appreciate a little support. The Determinate Varieties we carry are Super Bush, Glacier and Celebrity. The rest of our offerings are Indeterminate Tomatoes which absolutely need stakes or better yet tomato cages. Tomatoes must have at least 6 hours of direct sun, regular fertilizer and water. If you allow them to dry out they have a tendency to crack. When you transplant them bury a few inches of the stalk and you will have a sturdier root system which makes a stronger plant.