How to Grow Tomatoes in Cool & Coastal Climates (Without a Greenhouse)

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Growing tomatoes in a cool or maritime climate can feel like an uphill battle. It doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, I’m joined by tomato expert Holly Farrell, author of The Tomato Grower’s Handbook, to talk about how to get reliable, flavourful harvests even when summers are mild, damp, or unpredictable.

We dig into practical strategies for gardeners in places like coastal Canada, the UK, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest—where heat is limited and blight is always lurking.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why variety choice matters more than anything else 
• The difference between bush (determinate) and cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes 
• How to use microclimates (walls, courtyards, sunny corners) to your advantage 
• Simple ways to add protection—from cloches to greenhouses 
• How to reduce risk from blight in damp conditions 
• Tips for growing tomatoes in: 
  • Balconies 
  • Containers 
  • Garden beds 
  • Tunnels & greenhouses 
• How to deal with wind exposure (especially coastal winds) 
• Holly’s favourite tomato varieties for different uses 

If you’ve ever struggled to ripen tomatoes or deal with disease pressure, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.

If you would like to see what Holly is up to in the garden, here is her Instagram handle.