French Squash in Palm Rae Potager

This summer I am growing smaller squash in my Potager due to not having a lot of space. I rotate my crops every year and my sun is limited , therefore, I have to adapt to the growing space. This year I am growing two French types, Patisson Golden Marbre Scallop and Potimarron. The Golden scallop summer squash is reported to have a beautiful golden color and it forms a nice bush squash.  Winter squash Potimarron is only about 3-4 pounds, therefore, I can grow it on a trellis. Wish me luck!

There is a wonderful Fall soup made with Potimarron that I'm hoping to try this year.

Behind the Jacob Cline Monarda or red bee balm, my Potimarron growing up the trellis

We have Grapes!

Grapes in Palm Rae Potager 2011

Now the battle will start here in a few weeks! I found one Japanese beetle in the
garden. Not on our grapes! Oh boy, we have been waiting a few years to see if this was even possible, to grow grapes. We have limited full-sun space in our potager which  is common in most sub-urban-city lots. 

I will keep you updated as to how we manage the enemy!

Time to grab my bucket of soapy water and make my rounds!

Red Cabbage

I  just don't know if I'm going to grow red cabbage in the fall or next spring. I started this from seed

and it does take up a lot of room in my Potager. I enjoy all types of Kale. My favorite is the Dinosaur Kale / Black Palm Kale/  Lacinato Kale since it is very pretty and hardy in the garden. I can pick leaves all summer from my spring sowing and  it does not require as much space as red cabbage. I have a few more purple choices this fall for my fall brassica crops. 
According to Wikipedia  The Free Encyclopedia....

"Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium. Kale, as with broccoli and other brassicas, contains sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.^{[citation needed]} Boiling decreases the level of the anti-cancer compounds; however, steaming, microwaving, or stir frying do not result in significant loss.^[2] Along with other brassica vegetables, kale is also a source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.^[3][4] Kale is also a good source of carotenoids."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kale

Kale Kale and More Kale

I have a beautiful bed of various Kale to eat all summer long. We are eating it everyday!

I have my lemon cucumbers growing in the back of the bed, therefore, it should shade it a bit throughout the summer. I built this bed last fall and I am so glad I took the grass up and put this wonderful raised bed in my garden. I also tried raising purple cauliflower which is in the corner of my picture. I should of picked it sooner. It was too pretty to eat a week ago! 

My weeding chair!

I'm having problems with my computer. I'm not posting as much. I'm using an older computer, so mine will be back up and running soon. I have been very busy in Palm Rae Potager. It was in the 90's here in Illinois this past week! I don't know if I will grow this green and red oak leaf next year. They just did not handle the heat at all and they were protected in a shady area of the garden.I will use the seeds I have  for this fall, however, I'm very certain my main lettuce next year will be Bronze Arrow. I still want to find a very good red leaf that I can use to brighten up my salads. It just gets too humid here in the midwest.  A lot of people have had a hard time with their gardens this year. It went from winter to summer and today we are back in the 70's!