British summers can be a gamble, but that doesn't mean you can't grow a decent crop of tomatoes. The secret is to work with the weather rather than against it. Choose varieties that tolerate cooler, damper conditions, grow them under cover where possible, and keep on top of watering and feeding. Get these basics right, and you'll be picking sun-warmed fruit from your own garden well into September.

Choosing Reliable Varieties for Cooler Weather

In a typical British summer, heat-loving beefsteak tomatoes often sulk and fail to ripen. Instead, look for cherry and medium-sized varieties that set fruit at lower temperatures. 'Sungold' is a superb choice: incredibly sweet, prolific, and tolerant of cool nights. 'Gardener's Delight' and 'Alicante' are old favourites that perform reliably. If blight is a problem in your area, seek out resistant types such as 'Ferline', 'Crimson Crush' or 'Mountain Magic'. For containers and hanging baskets, bush varieties like 'Tumbling Tom' need no pinching and crop early.

Decide between cordon (indeterminate) and bush (determinate) types. Cordon varieties grow tall and need support and sideshoot removal. Bush varieties stay compact and are ideal for small spaces. In a short season, bush types often ripen faster, but cordons give a longer harvest if you can protect them.

Growing Under Cover: Greenhouses, Polytunnels and Windowsills

Tomatoes hate wet leaves and cold roots. Growing under cover gives them the warmth and shelter they need to thrive. A greenhouse or polytunnel is ideal, but a cold frame, conservatory, or even a sunny windowsill can work for a few plants. The key is to keep rain off the foliage, which helps prevent blight, and to trap warmth during the day.

Plant into large pots, grow bags or a border with plenty of compost. Each plant needs at least 10 litres of growing medium. Bury the stem up to the first set of leaves to encourage new roots. Space plants generously — good airflow is your best defence against disease. If growing indoors, open vents on warm days but close them at night to retain heat.

Watering and Feeding for Healthy Plants

Consistency is everything. Tomatoes that dry out then get soaked are prone to blossom end rot, a disorder caused by calcium deficiency linked to irregular watering. Aim to keep the compost evenly moist. In hot weather, you may need to water twice a day; in cool, damp spells, cut back. Water directly onto the soil, not the leaves.

Start feeding when the first truss of flowers has set fruit. Use a high-potash tomato feed every week, following the instructions on the bottle. Don't overfeed with nitrogen — you'll get lush leaves and few tomatoes. A handful of comfrey leaves steeped in water makes an excellent homemade feed, rich in potassium.

Pinching Out, Training and Airflow

For cordon varieties, pinch out the sideshoots that grow in the leaf axils — the join between the main stem and a leaf. Do this weekly, when the shoots are small. Tie the main stem to a cane or string as it grows. Once the plant has set five or six trusses, pinch out the growing tip to direct energy into ripening fruit. Remove lower leaves as they yellow to improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease.

Bush varieties need no pinching. Just let them grow naturally, perhaps with a little support to keep fruit off the ground. Throughout the season, keep the area around your plants free of weeds and debris. Good ventilation, whether from open doors or spacing, is the single best way to avoid mould and blight.

Harvesting, Ripening and a Taste of Seasonal Living

Pick tomatoes when they are fully coloured and slightly soft. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit to set. If blight strikes or the weather turns cold and wet in late summer, pick any remaining green tomatoes and ripen them indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a paper-lined drawer with a ripe banana. Green tomatoes make wonderful chutney, fried slices, or a tangy relish.

There's a simple pleasure in gathering your own tomatoes and pairing them with foraged ingredients — a handful of wild rocket, some sorrel leaves, or a few chives from the garden. This is seasonal living at its best: working with what the British summer offers, and making the most of every ripe fruit. With a little planning and consistent care, your tomato plants will reward you long after the last frost.