This summer's torrential rains seem to have benefited our sunflowers which are a couple of feet taller and even more radiant than normal.  In a months time once they start to dry off the seeds will provide a rich source of oil and protein for the birds.  Just what they need as other food sources start to dry up.

If you didn't get a chance to sow any sunflowers in the spring you can try our birdseed sunflowers, which have the added bonus of being packed with a specially selected blend of mixed seed on the back.  When all the seeds have been taken the empty head can be filled with fat or peanut butter.

Courgettes are one of my favourite vegetables and I long for them to come into season.  But once they start they come so thick and fast its a challenge to keep up with them.

This year we have tried four varieties.  Nero di Milano is our long time favourite and a steady cropper.  Goldie is fun and Partenon is steady but slightly dull.  The best find this year has been Costa Romanesque, which looks dramatic with its hairy ribs and tastes wonderful, cooked or raw.

If you are looking for a simple recipe that uses up lots of courgettes, try the Union Square Cafe recipe for Pappardelle of Zucchini.  Thinly sliced courgettes are flash fried with tinned tomatoes, garlic, basil, pamesan and cream.  A large bowl of this with some crusty bread is one of the highlights of summer.  Let me know if you can't get hold of the full recipe.

We have had a terrible crop of peas this year.  Even though the warm wet June and July should have given us a freezer full by now, for some reason we have had to wait until August for our first crop.  

This year we have grown a variety called bastion, which are as good as any I have ever tasted, but that might be because we have had to wait so long before tasting them!