Allotment promise: different types of harvest

This year at the allotment I’ve been determined to try and have a broader range of harvest.

This week I’ve managed to have a visit where I gathered some less obvious things. Alongside the raspberries and blackberries I wanted some specific extra crops.

The hens love sunflower seeds. And this year we managed to grow several different kinds. The blue tits at the allotment are getting plenty of nourishment but I’ve also collected a few today for the home birds.

While liking for little things I headed into the cold frame. The coriander goes to seed like lightening so those little spheres are straight into the basket.

Then there’s lupins. The seed is edible somehow so I’ve now got some to experiment with. Mind you they do spread their seed fast, unfurling like rabbit ears so some of the pods might be empty.

After searching through the pods I won’t be finding an edible option. They’re just going to be in seed packets!

The nasturtium flower throws it’s seeds everywhere and fast too. This means it and the lupin will return next year again but the seeds can also be preserved in brine and are a peppery caper like commodity.

I collected lavender and borage flowers too. The Dutch call them ‘komkomer kruid’ which means cucumber herb. That’s what the flowers taste of fresh but they can also be dried to make a tea. I’ll be sticking them in the dehydrator then.

Here’s the borage with the coriander seeds.

I’ve got some pumpkin flowers for stuffing. Unfortunately today the nasturtiums aren’t flowering enough to pick the blooms which make a lovely salad ingredient but they may have more in a few days.

I’ve got a bit if beetroot and some purple sprouting broccoli and kale to go with dinner. We should have home grown, corn, yellow tomatoes, onions and potatoes too.

The harvest is definitely getting more unusual