In Praise of Claytonia

I've been growing Claytonia for a number of years but a comment by a gardening writer led me to change how I ate it and to really appreciate the flavour.

Claytonia, also known as Miner's Lettuce and Winter Purslane, is a useful addition to winter salads with small, fleshy leaves. The time to sow is now - July and August. Sown outdoors and protected later by cloches it will be ready from October onwards.

I grow mine in a large tub and over-winter it in the greenhouse. And the secret? Leave it until it just starts to flower in the spring. At this point it tastes delicious!

Submitted by Jane, plot 9