Midwest Mary

Summer’s abundance is blessing the Midwest. Daily harvesting of plum tomatoes, San Marzano tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, and bell peppers keeps the bowl on my kitchen counter filled.

The cherry tomato plant that began in early spring in the hydroponic box and was moved outside in May has granted a steady handful of daily tomatoes for several weeks.

With the summer heat, lettuce, which prefers cooler temperatures, is now grown hydroponically inside.

I haven’t noticed a difference in taste between the San Marzano tomatoes and plum tomatoes.

The two types of tomatoes look the same.

Both the San Marzano and plum tomatoes are long and plump.

This plant is producing about one green pepper per week.

The flowers bring joy, as well. Here is pink Dipladenia and alyssum,

white Dipladenia,

and rose colored Dipladenia.

This fun plant can be grown indoors or outside and is known by many names including tradescantia nanouk Nanouk tradescantia, fantasy venice, wandering jew, spiderwort, tradescantia bubblegum, and tradescantia albiflora.

And lastly, we have cosmos which are growing much taller than I expected.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025