While I’m in Chicago, Tim is kindly taking care of my hodgepodge gardening effort. And looking at the pictures, it really does feel like a hodge podge.

There’s the indoor cherry tomato plant that has pretty much gone crazy. It’s taken over the wall and even has tomatoes already. Proof that it’s it’s pretty much effortless to grow tomatoes indoors in a container:

Its friend, the yellow sungold tomatoes, is less epic, but also impressive (and look, you can see our clay oven in the background!):

I’ve got a bunch of seedlings that are still not ready to go be planted out yet. I’ve been hardening them off, though, and they’re now spending most of their time outdoors. Looking at it this way, my garden looks pretty pruny – grow plants, grow!

Outside, I wanted to put my polytunnel into action, so I put a couple experimental jalapenos and red romano peppers out there. According to Tim, they’re still alive!

I also have some rocket going in a container, but I’m not thrilled with their progress. Yes, lots of green buds, but it looks like a lot of green nasty stuff on the soil, too. What’s up with that?

The pumpkin and potatoes are much happier, though. Here they are in their respective pots:

Unfortunately, while tending to my plants, I noticed that the tomatoes and seedlings living indoors are being attacked by aphids. Any suggestions for getting rid of them?

Here in Chicago, I’ll be helping my mom set up her raised beds. I’m looking forward to it – she’s been gardening for years, and has even done some time working on her friend Mr. Greenjeans‘ organic farm in Ohio. I’m hoping to learn some tips and tricks to take back with me to my humble garden in the UK. Stay tuned!