I took this picture of a leek flower on the weekend. I love the majesty of the flowers, the way they have dominated the view up through the allotment, they way their heavy round heads sway in the breeze. They were a real surprise – from humble leek to massive flower head. I shall definitely leave a few leeks again next year to do the same. I have kept the flower heads and hope I’ll be able to collect seeds from them to grow again next year. I’m never quite sure what rate of success you can expect from collected seeds as opposed to buying them ready packaged. (My) logic says that my collected seeds should be at least as good as commercially produced seeds because they’re fresher. However, in the past some seeds I’ve collected have done well, sweet peas, coriander and dill, and others which don’t appear to have been as good like the runner bean seeds I planted in Joseph’s raised bed last year. I understand that F1 hybrids won’t produce viable seeds but I’m not always good at keeping a record of precisely what variety I’ve grown. I shall follow my allotment motto: give it a try anyway (and bin it if it doesn’t work!).

I have also been collecting sweet pea seeds and I must remember to leave some bean pods to dry out so I can collect those too (ok, bin it after a second try!). I have already been a little hasty and pulled out the calendula before thinking about seeds for next year. And as I write this I am reminded that we have just eaten the last of the summer patty pan squashes and digested all the seeds so I’ll have to buy some more of those. They were a first for us this year and they made a nice change from courgettes. I was in need of some comfort food and with the help of various recipes I came up with a meal that was yummy. First I roasted the patty pans and some carrots in olive oil with some chopped thyme and a sprinkling of dried chilli flakes. Meanwhile I sautéed some chopped onion and garlic. When the onion was soft I added a good splosh of white wine and let it bubble before adding some double cream – ok, quite a lot of double cream – and once it was bubbling I added the roasted veg and served on a bed of rice. Cor, I’m hungry just thinking of it. If cream and chilli is your thing then you’ve got to try it. If cholesterol is a concern, leave out everything except the veg!