I gave up on Tomatoes here too! Groundhogs would tap them daily with their little paws until they were rip and then they ate them.
Groundhogs can climb very nicely, so they are tough to keep out. Occasionally I place a potted Tomato plant over the Summer into the cage with the Orchids.
I always have Herbs in Summer growing in large containers which I place on the railing of the kitchen steps