How to Grow Tomatoes in Wet Summers

Growing tomatoes in wet summers can be frustrating, but with the right approach you can still achieve a healthy crop and a good harvest. Excess rain, high humidity, and damp conditions increase the risk of disease and poor ripening, so success depends on drainage, airflow, protection, and careful plant management.

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Why Wet Summers Are a Problem for Tomatoes

Tomatoes prefer warmth, airflow, and consistent moisture. In wet summers, common issues include:

• Increased risk of blight and fungal diseases
• Split or cracked fruits
• Poor pollination and flower drop
• Slow ripening due to lack of heat and sunlight

Adapting how you grow tomatoes helps reduce these risks and keeps plants productive.

Choose Tomato Varieties Suited to Wet Conditions

Variety choice makes a big difference in damp weather.

Best tomatoes for wet summers include:

• Blight-resistant varieties
• Early-maturing tomatoes
• Cherry and small-fruited types
• Determinate or bush varieties

Smaller fruits ripen faster and are less likely to rot or split during prolonged wet periods.

Improve Drainage from the Start

Good drainage is essential in wet summers.

• Grow tomatoes in raised beds or mounds
• Improve soil with compost or grit to aid drainage
• Avoid planting in low-lying or waterlogged areas

For containers, ensure plenty of drainage holes and never allow pots to sit in standing water.

Use Protection from Excess Rain

Keeping rain off plants dramatically reduces disease risk.

Outdoor protection options:

• Grow tomatoes under cloches or temporary covers
• Use rain shelters or clear roofing panels
• Position plants against sheltered walls or fences

Greenhouse and polytunnel growing is ideal in wet summers, as it allows you to control moisture levels more effectively.

Space Plants Well and Improve Airflow

Crowded plants stay damp for longer and are more prone to disease.

• Space plants generously
• Remove excess side shoots on cordon varieties
• Prune lower leaves touching the soil

Good airflow helps leaves dry quickly after rain and reduces fungal problems.

Water Carefully in Wet Weather

It may seem obvious, but tomatoes often suffer from overwatering in wet summers.

• Avoid watering unless soil is genuinely dry
• Water at the base of the plant only
• Never water foliage

Consistent moisture is important, but saturated soil leads to root problems and disease.

Feed Lightly and Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Too much feeding in wet conditions encourages leafy growth, which worsens airflow and disease risk.

• Avoid high-nitrogen feeds
• Use a balanced or potassium-rich feed once fruit sets
• Stop feeding once fruits are full-sized

This helps the plant focus on fruit development rather than excess foliage.

Remove Leaves to Reduce Disease Risk

Selective pruning is especially important in damp weather.

• Remove leaves below the lowest fruit truss
• Remove any yellowing or spotted leaves immediately
• Avoid heavy pruning, which can stress plants

Quick removal of affected foliage helps prevent disease spread.

Watch Closely for Blight and Disease

Wet summers increase the risk of tomato blight.

• Inspect plants regularly
• Remove affected leaves at the first sign of disease
• Harvest fruit promptly if blight threatens

Early action can save much of your crop.

Encourage Ripening in Cool, Wet Weather

To help tomatoes ripen despite poor weather:

• Remove late flowers that won’t have time to fruit
• Pinch out growing tips later in the season
• Reduce watering once fruits begin to colour

If necessary, pick mature green tomatoes and ripen them indoors.

Harvest Little and Often

In wet summers:

• Pick ripe fruit as soon as possible
• Do not leave ripe tomatoes on the plant in damp weather
• Harvest before prolonged rain or storms

Regular harvesting reduces stress on the plant and limits losses.

Final Thoughts

Growing tomatoes in wet summers is about prevention and control. By improving drainage, protecting plants from rain, increasing airflow, and choosing suitable varieties, you can dramatically reduce disease problems and still enjoy a rewarding harvest.

Stay vigilant, act quickly at the first sign of trouble, and focus on ripening what you already have rather than pushing for new growth.