I am excited, I am harvesting from our new plot!!

[Kitchen Gardener]

We were lucky and had a plot granted in May and started clearing and planting. We are delighted with our huge crop of potatoes, broad beans, peas and runner beans. It has been hard work but such fun.

Now I have some questions which I hope the more experienced amongst you will be able to help with.

1, I saw someone taking home small potatoes which he said he was going to try and use as seed potatoes next year. I thought that since we have lots of smallish potatoes, it would be good to make use of them, what do we do with them?

2. I have removed (as told to) the seed heads that were growing on our leeks and wondered if I coud dry these and use the seeds for next year?

[Creemteez]

Hi KG! It's great when a plan comes together, isn't it! congratulations on bringing your first harvest home!
As to your seed potato question, I have always bought seed potatoes because of the general consensus that they are less likely to harbour diseases that could affect your crop. However the same has been often said about garlic - not to plant the cloves you get at the greengrocers or supermarket. I flew in the face of advice and have had my best crop ever!
If you want to use your potatoes, store them somewhere dark, cool, but frost free. Check them regularly for signs of rot. They will lose moisture and become a bit wrinkly. You will have to decide if you want to chit or not - there are lots of threads about this process, and depending on the variety can start thinking about planting early in the spring.
Your leek seed-heads should be allowed to stay on the plant for as long as possible to ensure the seed is matured. When they are starting to go brown, you can take them off, put them into a paper bag and allow them to dry completely. The seeds will fall out of the flower heads in to the bag and be ready for planting when you want them. Don't forget to write on the bag/envelope what they are! Good luck!

[SarzWix]

I'd not save the seed heads from leeks that have gone to seed unless they were planted last year - if they were planted this year, then they've seeded prematurely and would pass that trait onto any plants grown from that seed.

Congratulations on your first harvests though, there's no feeling like it