If the only lettuce you eat is Little Gem, its probably not worth it - you have to wait till they've achieved the right size before cropping, and you'd have to sow at intervals to make sure you've got lettuce when you want it. If you don't mind other lettuce types, then growing the cut and come again types is quite useful - they'll do well in a window box or container, but the trouble is, the leaves are all soft ones, and I prefer crisp lettuce - you may not mind. Some info in the first link below - but its not aimed at English gardeners and it mentions growing in the ground rather than pots, though it gives some general information about growing both head and leaf lettuce you might find useful

http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/how-grow-and-harvest-cut-and-come-again-lettuce-perpetual-salad-greens.html

More info on how to grow cut and come again from the RHS here

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=618

As for tomatoes, you could buy yourself a single tomato plant later on, or maybe two, pot on into larger pots (9 inch ones), but you will likely have several ready at once when they ripen, and none at all for some weeks while they grow.

As for buying tomatoes 6 in a packet, the packet does last up to a fortnight, I find, though I tend to buy the pre packaged Piccolo on the vine small cherry type tomatoes for their great flavour, which also last easily 8 days, and up to a fortnight. Not that I ever have them in the house that long, usually eaten them within the 8 days or sooner.

Thanks Bamboo you have made my decisions for me sometimes it's all we want is for someone to tell us what we are really thinking is the right thing I only like little gem and you are right about the dates on shop tomatoes I like the little on the vine ones ! I suppose I was having a guilt trip with so many people growing their own but life is to short when we past 70 to worry about whether to grow or pay the price for such small amounts of salad stuff ....

For sure - and because I live alone, that's why I spend more on really nice, tasty tomatoes, which I couldn't have afforded for the family. Those Piccolos can't be beat for flavour, and I don't eat masses of tomatoes, so the few I do eat might as well be a treat...

One tip I heard on the food programme Radio4 is that you shouldn't refrigerate tomatoes
The enzyme that produces the flavour is killed by refrigeration, or so they said.........

Our local nursery sells bush tomatoes as well as cordons and you get a choice of varieties

Well I can't say I've noticed my piccolos not being tasty, Pamg - and anyway, supermarket toms will definitely have been chilled - I think they're displayed on a chilled counter too. Just checked this out - its the lineolinic acid that's affected, but removing your tomatoes from the fridge and hour or two before you want to eat them resolves the issue - more reading here, if you're interested

http://www.tomatodirt.com/what-is-the-scientific-reason-tomatoes-should-not-be-refrigerated.html

and newer info suggests it is okay to refrigerate ripe tomatoes, see here

http://www.thekitchn.com/is-it-actually-okay-to-refrigerate-tomatoes-222183

But best not to refrigerate unripe ones.

My friends in the UK keep raving about 'Tumblin Tom.' It is a patio cherry tomato that does well in pots or hanging baskets. I haven't tried it here in the US, but all I keep hearing about is Tumblin Tom. May be worth looking into.

You can grow trailing tomatoes in hanging baskets, wall baskets, or tallish pots, and in ordinary multi-purpose compost. They need no staking, pruning or pinching out, so are incredibly easy to grow. All you have to do is feed them with a suitable liquid feed.

I'm in Wales too, and grow the variety 'Maskotka' from seed and thoroughly recommend it. It produces small, tasty fruits that go on and on till the first frosts. For the small amount you eat, one plant would be more than enough. If you find you have lots of fruit left over, you can make them into simple tomato soup or chutney. (Green tomatoes that refuse to ripen at the end of the season are perfect for chutney, and it's so easy to make).

Give it a go. You won't regret it!

By the way, as Pamg says, refrigerating tomatoes does kill the flavour. The difference between a refrigerated and unrefrigerated tom is quite remarkable.

So now all I have to do is to remember to take them out of the fridge in time.. The same applies to cheese too, so there's lunch for you!

Room temperature does make sense, and as you say cheese too is much tastier warm

The best is picking them warm from the greenhouse mmmmm

The same goes for strawberries. :)

I feel better when I'm warm as well....

Me too and I hear Spring is coming next week!

I heard snow for easter......The poor easter bunny will be frozen ?

It's snowing right now! BRRrrr!!

I like little gem lettuce but grew mixed salad leaf last year and was so happy with it. Just chopped off leaves I needed and enjoyed fresh salad every day. Now tomatoes is another problem, mine are never ripe soon enough, I get bored of salads before they get ripe.

I love them sauteed in a little butter with my eggs in the morning. salt & pepper? Oh yes!