My grandfather was smart enough to escape before Hitler grasped the reins. (Where I get my common sense? I like to think so.)
He was a professional gardener. No kidding - he could bring a dead stick back to life. The dood was amazing. In his younger years, he was the caretaker for the Lindberg mansion in NJ. Just one proud family moment. (And his tomatoes were to DIE for!) It goes without saying that I grew up eating very well. The common sense transferred - the green thumb didn't.
Kind of off topic, but for “bringing a dead stick back to life” — bag it in an airtight bag and keep it out of the sun for 1-2 weeks. Then take the bag off, but keep it out of the sun for another week or two. Keep well watered (daily) but do not get soil soggy or waterlogged. If the plant still has green (cambium), it’s got a shot.
As for the tomatoes, there are really two key elements: variety and leaving them on the vine as long as you can. Some varieties will never taste good, and there’s nothing you can do about it. And tomatoes never taste that great when picked green and then ripened off the plant.