You'll get the hang of it :) I hear ya, I had a similar approach at first. My tomatoes do just fine outside, here in the East Bay. But this thing is a bit of a different beast :)
@BigguyWC,I can relate. I was just gonna grow a plant or 2 for fun and keep it casual....now I casually wanna get rid of my furniture and quit my job so I can have more room and time to grow more plants.