There is something about the distinctive, slightly earthy smell of tomato plants that transports me back to (an entirely fictional) childhood, where I have a grandfather who grew tomatoes in his greenhouse (he also smoked a pipe for similar reasons). But I doubt my fictitious grandpa grew any of the other tender Mediterranean vegetables. Courgettes, peppers and aubergines aren’t cultivated nearly as often in England, even though they’re as easy (or as difficult, depending on how you view it) to grow as tomatoes.

Let’s face facts, we don’t have an easy climate for growing such fruits. Or rather, we can grow them, but they need long hot summers in which to ripen – and our autumns have a habit of swooping in just as they’re almost ready and cutting the whole process short. Growing under cover, in a greenhouse or polytunnel, will extend the season, allowing you to get them started early in the spring and increasing the chances of a fully ripened crop. The other advantage of growing them under cover is that they don’t develop such tough outer skins (needed to protect them from outdoor conditions). Having said that, started early on a windowsill they will do nearly as well out in the garden in a sunny sheltered spot, so don’t let the lack of a greenhouse put you off.

For success with these tender and slightly petulant crops, the same broad principles of cultivation should be applied. Start them off early by sowing seed in February or early March on a windowsill, or in a heated greenhouse. Prick out (give each seedling its own pot) and move them on to larger pots/grow bags/good rich soil as they grow, but don’t be tempted to put the plants outside until all danger of frost is well and truly past. They do need a fair amount of tlc in the form of warmth, protection from the wind and weather, together with food (anything that fruits is greedy for a feed high in potash) and drink at regular intervals. Basically, treat them as you would a slightly difficult elderly relative (one that you nevertheless have a fondness for) and you shouldn’t go too far wrong.

Until recently I only grew the little cherry style tomatoes; the ones that grow as small bushes, rather than the rambling cordon types that need to be tied to canes and their side-shoots removed. Cherry tomatoes are rewarding to grow and one plant will cheerfully provide a good crop with a lot of child appeal, being small, sweet and delicious (unlike some children). I have to admit to being slightly in awe of people who manage to produce splendid harvests of large tomatoes, because it does take considerable care and attention in the form of regular feeding and watering; something I administer rather haphazardly – a terrible sin if you grow tomatoes, as erratic watering will result in them splitting, or worse, cause them to develop a nasty sounding condition called Blossom End Rot. I’m also bad at staking them and remembering to pinch out the side shoots, so that they tend to grow triffid-like across my polytunnel in an ungainly fashion. I try to plant them with marigolds (Tagetes) – not the dumpy little French bedding ones, but a larger, wirier version with fantastic stripy petals, called, oddly enough Mr Stripey. Apart from looking attractive (providing your tomato plants don’t flop about all over them, that is), French marigolds will deter whitefly and some of the other greenhouse pests. Basil is another good companion plant for tomatoes with the big advantage that they go nicely together in a salad too.

Bell peppers, or capsicums, like similar conditions to tomatoes and can crop fairly prolifically given the right care and attention. Each plant will grow up to 10 fruits, all starting off green and then, depending on the variety, ripening to yellow, red, or even purple. They are neater in habit than tomato plants and will grow more happily in pots – but they are very thirsty, needing lots of water to make good sized fruits. Mine obviously tend to be small and less prolific – suffering like the tomatoes from inattention on the watering front.

I think aubergines are the most gorgeous looking vegetable; I pile them up in a bowl (naturally few will eat them at my house) where they bulge exotically, their skins all smooth, dark and lustrous. The plant is dramatic too, with lilac flowers and majestic purple-veined leaves – they’re worth growing decoratively, regardless of their productive qualities. You should get around five fruits per plant, providing they’re treated to the same conditions as other tender vegetables. Grow them along with courgettes, peppers and tomatoes for homegrown ratatouille – and (after a few months) you could be treating everyone to a ‘free lunch’.