Growing tomatoes

I love tomatoes and so do half of my kids!
but whenever I have attempted to grow them, it's been a massive failure.
The last time I tried, I raised them from seed on every windowsill in my old house-I nurtured and looked after them well.
They went outside and thrived for a time-produced fruit - lots of fruit, and I had about 10 plants.
Just as they started to ripen, something awful happened-and I think it was blight! The fruit and stems of the plants started going black and it seemed to spread from plant to plant in my small town garden.

Now I have lovely space, and the front of my house is in full sun all day with the option of shade I feel I can give it a go again.
Can blight (if that's what it was) be prevented?
And are tomatoes tough enough for windy conditions?

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

Oh I didn't notice that year, I'll take a look and I'll protect from the wind!

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

You can register with Blightwatch

They send a txt/email when conditions are right for it in your area, so you know when best to spray against it

 

Hi Stinkfoot, I grow a few tomatoes at the front of my house too, they are best kept out of the wind as much as possible. I find they grow best in a grow bag. The secret is to keep the soil damp (don't let it dry out) & give them some Tomorite . I've also been told it to grow them close to potatoes I belive that's got something to do with blight but in not totally sure....maybe someone else will correct that If I'm wrong?
Also as the others have said choose a variety with is blight resistant

 

Helps with crop rotation to keep the Solenacea together, easier to spray them both at the same time too

Can't think of any other reason though.

 

One or two suppliers are now offering (claimed) 'Blight Proof' plants. Quite pricey and not sure if they are actually 'Blight Proof'. Best bet is Bordeaux Mixture