This year, as in previous years, I attempted to grow several varieties of tomatoes - as I do not have a greenhouse they are grown in a sunny patch in the backyard.

This year I tried Garden Pearl, Giant Ukranian and San Marzano. The only plants that survived, and actually thrived, has been the San Marzano, and I now have 9 plants standing between 3 1/2 and 6 feet tall, all with at least three trusses of flowers on them.

My question being this - I live in a zone 8/9 area, what are the chances that the fruit will be able to ripen on the vine?

I have been told it can take up to 3 months for the fruit to ripen (am hoping it will be shorter mind).

In the event that the cold weather reaches us before the tomatoes ripen, what can I do to salvage the crop?

A neighbour was thinking of trying some but he has left it a bit late now hasn't he. Maybe next year. I will tell him about the San Marzano variety.

This is my first year growing tomatoes. It's been quite successful: over 20 very lush plants in a raised bed with hundreds of tomatoes. I haven't topped the plants and they are still flowering. None of the fruit are ripe yet but I noticed today many of the tomatoes had turned to a light green from a darker green last weekend. The varieties I am growing are Harbinger, Gardener's Delight and Beefsteak.

My garden is South west facing and gets sun most of the day. I'm in London so don't know what zone that is and how our conditions differ, but I should think it would be similar. I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us that we get ripe ones soon.

So now I grow them in a polytunnel. They still take a long time to ripen, even here in the south, and very often they only really ripen by November!

Some other edibles that I grow successfully in my polytunnel are grapes, lemons, Jerusalem artichoke, pak choi, lettuce, spinach (both beet and chard), French beans, pole beans and runner beans. I'd like to grow peppers and aubergines, but it isn't hot enough. Saying this if we continue to have summers like we did this year, I might get more adventurous and try out some other difficult vegs. next year.

Hope this helps you.