grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

Welcome to the December Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. 

In this episode, Josie shares how best to create your dream garden from one that you’ve just moved into, and enlightens us on what constitutes part-shade and full-sun, so that we can plant our flowers where they’re best suited. Sarah also gives us some fantastic wreath decoration ideas which are foraged, therefore more sustainable, and lauds the benefits of coppicing.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Christmas is only a few short weeks away, and while the garden may be winding down into winter mode, it’s the perfect time to spread joy to green-fingered friends with some well-considered gifts and elegant decorations.

With Arthur joining Sarah this week for an exciting journey through the pages of our latest Christmas catalogue, Sarah explains why she’s more excited by this year’s festive range than ever before.

In this episode, discover:

• Irresistible decorations for the tree, with a few specific nature-themed baubles catching Arthur’s eye
• Tried and tested favourites that deliver year upon year, like the ever-reliable Solar Allium Stake Lights
• An increased focus on sustainability in the range, as well as living gifts like our Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Pots and Sarah’s favourite Double Paperwhites in a Leaf Trough

Products mentioned:
Ceramic Pomegranate Candleholder
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ceramic-pomegranate-candleholder
Star Sequinned Mini Glass Baubles
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/star-sequinned-mini-glass-baubles
Gold and Silver Ribbed Baubles
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/gold-and-silver-ribbed-baubles
Jade Gemstone Light String
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/jade-gemstone-lit-garland
Solar Allium Stake
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/solar-allium-stake
Sissinghurst Gold Painted Glass Candleholder
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sissinghurst-gold-painted-glass-candleholder
Whopper Glass Fruit Decorations
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/whopper-glass-fruit-decorations
Luxury Christmas Crackers
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/luxury-christmas-crackers
As-if-from-Venice Green Glass Bauble
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/as-if-from-venice-green-glass-bauble
Corcertina White Paper Garland
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/corcertina-white-paper-garland
Bumblebee Glass Baubles
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/bumblebee-glass-baubles
Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thyme-and-rosemary-in-terracotta-pots
Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/galanthus-nivalis
Snowdrops in Terracotta Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/snowdrops-in-terracotta-pots

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The garden winds down in December, but there’s still a few small jobs that’ll stand it in good stead for the year to come.

In this monthly episode of ‘grow, cook, eat arrange’, Sarah takes us through which bulbs can be forced now, and an experimental watering technique, while Josie runs down the winter pruning plans and why it’s not too late to plant your tulips.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Dominic Rose holds multiple roles; Chair of Sarah Raven, self-appointed ‘amateur gardener’, and leading advocate in bringing biodiversity to the residential gardens and back yards of Britain.

In our 200th episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Dominic unpacks his ambitions for ‘Britain’s Biggest Living Garden’ – a community action project in North London’s Hampstead Garden Suburb – and explains how it might inspire others to support biodiversity in their own gardens at home, including the next generation of aspiring gardeners who’ll tend our green spaces in the future.

In this episode, discover:

• The catalyst for creating Britain’s Biggest Living Garden, and the ecologists, authors and volunteers who have guided its mission
• How the benefits to biodiversity are already being measured
• Dominic’s ambitions to inspire the next generation of gardeners, with biodiversity at the forefront

Britain’s Biggest Living Garden: https://www.britainsbiggestlivinggarden.org/
Wildlife Gardening Forum: https://www.wlgf.org/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Gardening is a diverse pursuit, and there’s no shortage of tools and kit that can help transform horticultural chores into an easier, more pleasurable experience.

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Perch Hill’s Josie Lewis joins Sarah to look back over the gardening year and nominate the top 10 desert island tools that no gardener should live without.

In this episode, discover:

• Tools and containers perfect for making light work of planting and sowing
• Sarah and Josie’s favourites vases to make floral arrangements easier to put together and more visually appealing
• Sarah’s all-time favourite pots and trugs, with designs that have inspired products in our range

Products mentioned:
Zinc Harvesting Trug
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinc-harvesting-trug

Niwaki Hori Hori Knife
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-hori-hori-knife

Niwaki s-type Hori Hori Knife and Sheath
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-stype-hori-hori-knife-and-sheath

Tub Planter
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tub-planter

Hortiwool Hanging Basket Liner Set
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hortiwool-hanging-basket-liner-set

Hortiwool Garden Pad
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hortiwool-garden-pad-pouch

Sarah Raven Pruning Snips
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-raven-pruning-snips

Sarah Raven Poachers Spade
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/poachers-spade

Nero Vase
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nero-vase

Bumper Bulb Planter
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/bulb-planter

Striped Ceramic Vases
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/striped-ceramic-vases

Terracotta Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/terracotta-pots

Terracotta Scalloped Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/terracotta-scalloped-pots

Rustic Terracotta Pot
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rustic-terracotta-pot

Aged Terracotta Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aged-terracotta-pots

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Butterflies and bees can only thrive in a garden with a ‘living buffet’ to which they can flock, which is why biodiversity is the hot topic for Sarah and Arthur in this latest episode of grow, cook, eat, arrange.

Reflecting on a year in which pollinators have struggled and needed particular support, they share the best plant varieties for bringing a much-needed buzz into your gardens, and discuss why nighttime pollinators ought not be forgotten.

In this episode, discover:

• Sarah & Arthur’s absolute favourite flowers for creating a biodiverse haven
• The importance of late-flowering plants, providing pollen at crucial times when late-emerging pollinators may need it most
• The often-overlooked night time wildlife that also benefits from biodiverse gardens
• Arthur’s newfound tip for keeping slugs away from your greenhouse

Products mentioned:
Dahlia variabilis 'Bishop's Children': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-bishops-children
Geum 'Totally Tangerine': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geum-totally-tangerine
Dahlia ‘Sarah Raven’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-sarah-raven
Dahlia ‘Lou Farman’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-lou-farman Buddleia alternifolia: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/buddleia-alternifolia
Dahlia ‘Blue Bayou’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-blue-bayou
Verbena bonariensis: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-bonariensis
Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora 'Bampton': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-officinalis-var-grandiflora-bampton
Verbena rigida: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-rigida
Panicum miliaceum 'Violaceum': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/panicum-violaceum
Nemaslug - Biological Slug Control: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nemaslug-biological-slug-control

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the November Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. 

In this episode, Sarah answers timely questions on forced bulbs and whether it’s too late to plant them now for Christmas, as well as the things you can still sow at this time of year. Meanwhile, Josie gives us a crash course on bare root plants, and what’s currently being planted at Perch Hill, which might inspire your own planting this November.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Please be aware: This episode contains sensitive discussion about animal death and stillbirth, which some may find upsetting.

Seasonality is a powerful quality in any recipe, to which the abundance of delicious culinary ideas in Julius Roberts’ new book ‘The Farm Table’ is perfect testament.

We explore Julius’ journey as a chef, farmer, grower and author on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week, in an episode bound to inspire you with a renewed outlook on cooking, and a fresh appreciation for the work that brings a successful plate together.

In this episode, discover:

The most invaluable lessons that Julius learned from his training at the renowned London restaurant, Noble Rot  The greatest joys and most challenging emotional struggles of ‘nature first’ farming

• How cooking makes us human, and why seasonality should be a central pillar to the food we grow and cook 
• The very best recipes from ‘The Farm Table’, such as Julius’ fan-favourite Tarragon Roast Chicken and a lamb dish that champions the joy of humble Swiss Chard

Products mentioned:
Swiss Chard 'Lucullus': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-lucullus

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

November signals a real turn in the weather, and this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat arrange’ is a perfect collation of all the jobs you should consider to prepare your garden for the impending season.

Sarah gives a rundown of the tasks at the top of her mind, from sowing pea tips and lovely scented sweet peas, to preparing paperwhite narcissus for planters.

Elsewhere in the garden, Josie nudges us to prepare your soil for winter, and to prune your roses to protect them from the elements in the months to come.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Even in smaller, urban gardens and balcony spaces, you can breathe life into them with charming pots and bulb lasagnes

Curating her own balcony garden with that vision of city-bound colour in mind, Jemima Bowker returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share with Sarah how she’s taking on the challenge of small space gardening for the autumn months, with fantastic tips aplenty for those of you doing the same.

In this episode, discover:

• The small space gardening solutions that Jemima and Sarah suggest to maximise your limited spaces, like hanging window boxes and plant theatres
• Tasks that you’ll want to do as we transition into autumn, and when to start planning your bulb displays
• Sarah guides Jemima through the art of creating stunning bulb lasagnas, with tips on selecting complementary varieties and planting in layers

Products mentioned:

Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Pots
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thyme-and-rosemary-in-terracotta-pots

Tulip 'Orange Marmalade'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-orange-marmalade

Iris 'Purple Hill' (Reticulata)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-purple-hill

Tulip hageri 'Little Beauty'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulipa-hageri-little-beauty

Fritillaria meleagris
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-meleagris

Plum and Apricot Tulip Mix
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/plum-and-apricot-tulip-collection

Sarah Raven Tulip Collection
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-raven-tulip-collection

Tulip 'Slawa'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-slawa

Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocolate'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-atrosanguineus-chocolate

Pelargonium sidoides (Species)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-sidoides

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pittosporum-tenuifolium-bannow-bay

Viola cornuta 'Tiger Eye Red' F1
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-cornuta-tiger-eye-red-f1

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Biodiversity thrives on the presence of hedges, and autumn presents a wonderful time to get them planted, bringing a beautiful birdsong into your garden.

Adam Nicolson joins Sarah for this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, sharing his ever-bountiful knowledge on all things biodiversity, and which hedges are perfect protection for an enchanting ensemble of birds and butterflies.

In this episode, discover:

• How maintaining hedges at a warbler-y phase helps songbirds in particular
• Leafy, thorny and nectar rich hedges to grow, like yew, hornbeam and privet
• How to put hedges into the garden, and at what time in the season is ideal

Products mentioned:

English Yew (Taxus baccata)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/english-yew

Hornbeam Hedging
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hornbeam-hedging

Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-privet

Clematis viticella 'Etoile Violette'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/clematis-viticella-etoile-violette

Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'®
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lonicera-periclymenum-rhubarb-and-custard

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah is joined by celebrity hair stylist and keen gardener Sam McKnight MBE. Sam shares with Sarah his passion for gardening and how he indulges the solitude of the garden, as well as his fabulous career journey.

Sam McKnight MBE is one of the most influential and celebrated hair stylists in the world today. His ethos ‘to empower women through hair’ has attracted an unparalleled list of collaborators from Vogue and Chanel to Princess Diana and Kate Moss. 

In this episode, discover:

• The origins of Sam’s staggering life in hairdressing and fashion
• Charming stories from the 7 years that Sam worked with Princess Diana
• Sam’s relatively recent love of gardening, and which flowers are among the most inspiring that he grows

Products mentioned:

Dahlia 'Café au Lait'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-lait

Dahlia 'Café au Lait Royal'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-lait-royal

Dahlia 'Labyrinth'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-labyrinth

Dahlia Cactus Group Mix
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cactus-group-mix

Geranium 'Rozanne'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-rozanne

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Sarah Raven is now certified B Corp, a delightful announcement as an industry-first within the online retail gardening industry.

For those unfamiliar with the certification, this special bonus episode talks through the many reasons that B Corp status matters, and what it means for both us as a company, and you as gardeners.

Sarah shares what makes us a B Corp, why biodiversity, sustainability and quality matter so much to us, and the caring vision that this helps us to grow into.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the October Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. 

In this episode, Sarah shares which of the bulbs you should plant out as soon as you receive them and why, and Josie talks through when you should mulch dahlias if you’re not lifting them over winter.

Josie also covers everything you need to know to prepare dahlias for the winter, from lifting them out of pots to knowing when & how to store them, and Sarah runs down the finest perennials that you can plant this month.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

It’s prime bulb-planting time, and top of mind for Sarah right now is a stunning collection of colourful, inspiring bulbs to plant.

This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is a must-listen for bulb fanatics, as Sarah talks us through her desert island bulbs, how to plant for colour succession in the spring months, and the delightful stories behind how some of Sarah’s favourite bulbs were discovered.

In this episode, discover:

• Charming stories behind the discovery of some of Sarah’s favourite bulbs, including her namesake Tulip ‘Sarah Raven’
• A brand new variety of allium which earns its place in the company of the beloved schubertii
• Collections of tulips perfect to create succession between months, loading your garden with constant colour

This week, don’t forget to make the most of our Bulb Bonanza - you can get up to 40% off of our autumn bulb range. The offer ends this weekend, learn more at https://www.sarahraven.com/.

Products mentioned:
Tulip 'Dom Pedro'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedro
Narcissus 'Starlight Sensation'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensation
Allium schubertii 'Arctic Snow'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-arctic-snow
Lilium 'Black Beauty'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lilium-black-beauty
Tulip 'Blue Heaven'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-blue-heaven
Tulip 'Orange Marmalade'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-orange-marmalade
Tulip 'Sarah Raven'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-raven
Tulip 'Queensday'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-queensday
Tulip 'Danique'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-danique
Tulip 'Green Wave'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-green-wave
Tulip 'Green Spirit'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-green-spirit
Tulip 'Mystic van Eijk'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-mystic-van-eijk
Tulip 'Ice Stick'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-ice-stick
Iris 'Purple Hill' (Reticulata)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-purple-hill
Tulip 'Cadance'
https://bit.ly/4eXIRAL
Tulip 'Caviar' & Viola 'Phantom' F1
https://bit.ly/47WWmOU

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the last of our floristry mini-series, perfect for any social affair - Sarah takes you through how to compose a stunning arrangement in a bowl for table flowers.

Step by step, you’ll see how she creates a natural scaffold through which the display emerges, and shares some of her favourite flowers and foliage to work with in an arrangement that’s both gorgeous and utterly relaxed.

Products mentioned:

Niwaki Pin Holder
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-pin-holder

Flexi-Tie Set
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/flexi-tie-set

Hibiscus acetosella 'Mahogany Splendor'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hibiscus-acetosella-mahogany-splendor

Rosa rubrifolia (Shrub)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-glauca-syn-rubrifolia

Setaria 'Caramel'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/setaria-caramel

Dahlia 'Labyrinth'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-labyrinth

Dahlia 'Schipper’s Bronze’
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-schippers-bronze

Dahlia 'Café au Lait'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-lait

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, but there’s an art to the edible flower with which many of us are yet to experiment. 

It’s this art which is central to Carolyn Dunster’s latest book - this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ sees Arthur Parkinson explore Carolyn’s journey with edibles, the simplest and best varieties to grow yourself, and some marvellous recipe ideas to try at home.

In this episode, discover:

• Carolyn’s first discovery of flowers being edible, and how that changed her perspective on growing
• Why it’s so rewarding to plant your own flowers in the knowledge that they’re chemical-free
• The development of Carolyn’s simple, delicious, and visually stunning recipes

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the latest in the Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series, this time showing you how to craft a stunning display in a vase.

Any vase can be turned into a gorgeous arrangement, but Sarah shows how best to use the flared neck and wide belly of a vase like our own ‘Favourite Jade Vase’, bringing bombastic structure to your arrangement both upwards and outwards.

Products mentioned:
Favourite Jade Vase
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/favourite-jade-vase

Eucalyptus Stems
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eucalyptus-stems

Thalictrum delavayi
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thalictrum-delavayi

Persicaria orientalis
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/persicaria-orientalis

Dahlia 'Molly Raven'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-raven

Dahlia 'Caitlin's Joy'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-caitlins-joy

Dahlia 'Burlesca'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-burlesca

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As days shorten and the cold rolls in, we’re prompted to undertake some key jobs in the garden this month, so join Sarah and Josie for October’s most important tasks in this special episode.

Sarah and Josie share the need to plant out the likes of hardy annual salad leaves, and biennials if you’ve sown them already. They also touch on the need to harvest your pumpkins and squash, plus the perfect day of the year to plant out more of your tulip bulbs and vegetables.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Garden design is certainly a creative affair, and while Hazel Gardiner’s background was once in fashion, her floristry studio exudes inspiration from which we can all learn.

This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ explores Hazel’s journey from fashion to floristry, the thought process behind her own garden, and her absolute favourite plants for the garden and as cut flowers.

In this episode, discover:

• How Hazel’s background in fashion and events gives her such a wonderful eye in the garden
• The inspiration behind Hazel’s zoned, structured garden in Stoke Newington
• Evergreen plants perfect for those wanting gorgeous impact all year round
• Hazel’s must-have plants in the garden and for cut flowers, from grasses like Hakonechloa to dinner plate dahlias like ‘Cafe au Lait’

Products mentioned:
Stipa gigantea
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/stipa-gigantea
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/stipa-tenuissima
Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cynara-cardunculus
Rhubarb 'Livingstone' (Everbearing)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rhubarb-livingstone
Hakonechloa macra
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hakonechloa-macra
Rosa 'Rambling Rector'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rose-rambling-rector
Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocolate'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-atrosanguineus-chocolate

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the next episode in our floristry mini-series, and in episode 3 we’ll be sharing the best way to create a gorgeous, flowing hand-tied bunch.

Join Sarah as she shows the process from the stable scaffold-like base of foliage, to the simple, delicate addition of your most eye-catching flowers, and how to use the bride-bridesmaid-gatecrasher approach to balancing them perfectly...

Products mentioned:

Pelargonium 'Attar of Roses' (Scented)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-attar-of-roses

Garden Mint (Spearmint)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/spearmint

Dahlia 'Night Silence'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-night-silence

Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Lime Red'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-elegans-queen-red-lime

Hydrangea paniculata 'Wim's Red'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-wims-red

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Town gardening often demands that we as gardeners use our spaces wisely, and Tom Stimpson’s use of pots can teach us so much about creating a vibrant ensemble in the most modest of spaces.

This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ takes us on a tour of Tom’s garden, brimming with inspiration for us all to plant more in pots to breathe life into compact gardens.

In this episode, discover:

• Which flowers have best transformed Tom’s space over the 20 years he’s been there into a vibrant, aromatic haven
• Tom’s use of topiary and architectural elements to create structure in his stunning garden
• The flowers with unbeatable fragrance for picking and bringing into the house

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the latest episode in our floristry mini-series, this time bringing the best of your garden to life in a gorgeous tabletop ensemble.

Join Sarah as she demonstrates how she arranges sweet peas, erigeron, phlox and more, talking through the perfect approach to structuring them for their eye-catching moment in the limelight at any gathering.

Products mentioned:

Sweet Pea 'Erewhon'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-erewhon

Sweet Pea 'Nimbus'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-nimbus

Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/erigeron-karvinskianus

Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-sylvestris

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Purity'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-purity

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Arthur Parkinson may be a wonderful champion for the portable nature of the potted urban garden, but it’s an exciting prospect that he has the opportunity to grow on some new land in Gloucestershire.

Between the rare breeds of hen and the lovely collection of dahlias that he’s built up, this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ should inspire anyone looking to keep either some delightful poultry or radiant flowers alike.

In this episode, discover:

• Arthur’s experience in Gloucester, and how he came to find the land he’s on
• The lovely, rare breeds of hen that he’s rearing to keep the poultry gene pool thriving
• How Arthur’s got some gorgeous dahlias blooming in spite of such wet ground, with inspiring ideas for standout varieties

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest
Products mentioned:
Dahlia 'Rip City': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-rip-city
Dahlia 'Verrone's Obsidian': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-verrones-obsidian
Dahlia 'Tartan': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-tartan
Dahlia 'Irish Pinwheel':https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-irish-pinwheel

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to our latest mini-series: Be your own florist - pick and arrange your own garden flowers, with Sarah Raven. 

Focused on the joys of floristry, Sarah will take you through the essential steps to bring the best of your garden to life in a vase.

This first episode is a fantastic crash course in conditioning your cut flowers, following Sarah’s 5 S’s for giving plants the most impressive vase life possible, with guidance on the vital steps like searing stem ends, sterilising bulbs, and where to pick your flowers from.

To get the most out of this episode, you watch Sarah in action over on the Sarah Raven YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahraven

Products mentioned:

Dahlia ‘Penhill Watermelon’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-penhill-watermelon

Dahlia ‘Molly Raven’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-raven

Dahlia ‘Night Silence’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-night-silence

Lilium speciosum var. rubrum 'Uchida': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lilium-speciosum-var-rubrum-uchida

Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball' (Strong Annabelle): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-incrediball

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the September Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. 

In this episode, Sarah shares the ideal time to mulch your dahlias and how best to tackle the task, and when to start working on forced, scented bulbs ready for Christmas. 

Meanwhile, Josie picks up questions on deciding what to cut back and what to leave on the way into autumn, plus how to spot the ideal time to start planting out your bulbs.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With the changing of seasons brings an exciting new catalogue from which to draw inspiration for the year ahead.

In this episode full of possibilities, Arthur joins Sarah to peruse the latest and greatest from the Sarah Raven Autumn catalogue, shining a spotlight on the great performers and showstoppers to sow now, ready to breathe life into the garden next spring.

In this episode, discover:

• Bold and perennial tulips like the almost-fluorescent ‘Queensday’
• What makes narcissi the sustainable bulb of the future, and standout varieties like ‘My Story’
• Tips for growing ranunculus, with a spotlight on bold varieties like the burgundy ‘Elegance Viola’
• Why we keep coming back to beloved favourite evergreen climbers like Trachelospermum jasminoides

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

September signals a time where we’re preparing our plants for the colder months, which makes this episode rounding up the essential monthly jobs such an important one.

Sarah and Josie direct you towards the edibles you should concentrate on - namely the hardy annuals - and remind us of the need to deadhead your dahlias. September is also the time to plant out your biennials before the cold sets in, start forcing bulbs, and take cuttings of your tender perennials.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Andy Monaghan’s background as a dancer alongside his gorgeous work with flowers gives him such a unique, inspiring outlook on crafting a horticultural style.

Andy joins Arthur Parkinson this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as he shares the combined influence of the two creative careers, how they guide his gardening on his beautiful land in Hampshire, and the joys of bringing homegrown bouquets to the Royal Opera House.

In this episode, discover:

• The creative nature of both Andy’s careers, and how they guide and influence each other
• How Andy came to have such a gorgeous Hampshire space and his huge experimentation with dozens of different varieties of roses
• Floral design techniques, and the value in having an open mind in gardening

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Products mentioned:
Allium schubertii: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii
Allium cristophii: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Autumn is an exciting moment where your bulb planting now starts the colourful symphony that emerges the following spring, so it’s a perfect time to start getting creative.

Head Gardener Josie Lewis joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share her top list of bulbs to plant this autumn, how many bulbs fill out your space, and we run through the art of the bulb lasagne.

In this episode, discover:

• The irresistibly scented tulips like ‘Orca’ and ‘Hermitage’ which bring with them a splash of colour
• Josie’s favourite narcissi, including a brand new variety which is as reliable as anything else in the garden
• A recap on how to structure a bulb lasagne for a beautifully structured pot
• How many bulbs are ideal for filling out any size of borders or pots

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

When Ed Morrison first discovered the joys of gardening, it spurred him and a number of friends to share that love with the world through what we know now as Roots.

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Ed takes us through his fascinating horticultural journey, how we can all stand to learn from his no-dig no-chemical approach, and how anyone can be inspired to start growing at any scale.

In this episode, discover:

• How Ed, like so many of us, captured the joyous spark of gardening during Covid lockdowns
• The origins of Roots and his ambitions to bring horticultural inspiration to so many sites around the UK
• Why no-dig gardening is not just vital for the planet, but great for taking care of each others’ spaces too

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest
Follow Roots: https://www.rootsallotments.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rootsallotments/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the August Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie share their top tips based on your questions every month.

For August, we hear how pests can be held at bay from your precious dahlias, and advice for treating the leaves such that they’re looking grand late into the summer season.

Sarah also shares some inspiring ideas for giving your garden structure in a year’s time, Josie recalls our best advice for preventing and treating mildew, plus we look at the best way to stop containers from drying out while you’re on your summer holidays.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Jemima Bowker’s journey into urban gardening is one with which many of us can relate, and having moved into a new space, we’ve a number of wonderful tips for balcony gardeners.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Jemima joins Sarah to share how she’s made the most of both a North and South facing balcony, with inspiring ideas for varieties to thrive in any urban space.

In this episode, discover:

• Jemima’s South-facing balcony, exhibiting the glorious colours of Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ and Salvia ‘Jemima’s Gem’
• The bold, dark-green and purple visage of Plectranthus ciliatus which graces the darker, colder North-facing area
• Tips to spot whether you’re overfeeding, and on how to breathe life into your own part of a shared or public space

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Products mentioned:
Plectranthus ciliatus 'Nico': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/plectranthus-ciliatus-nico
Pelargonium 'Attar of Roses' (Scented): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-attar-of-roses
Sweet Pea 'Prince of Orange': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-prince-of-orange

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Many of us take August as a chance to go away on holiday, which makes this month’s jobs in the garden so vital for keeping life in your flowers while you’re away.

This month, Sarah and Josie share just how much watering you should be doing, particularly for thirsty pots, the attention you should give to your borders, cuttings that need taking from cut and come again flowers, and how to build your own organic pest control.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Just as relay racers pass a baton throughout their race, the many flowers in your garden pass a similar baton between themselves to bring year-round beauty.

Plan your year perfectly with Sarah and Josie’s top plants to inspire and captivate, each with their own month in which to shine - learn more as we look at how to nail your succession planning in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

• What makes honesty such an invaluable cut flower and filler around the early spring time
• The most striking combination of dahlias fit for early autumn
• How to bring the most showstopping scent to July with Sweet Pea Matucana
• A particular variety of rose which flowers surprisingly late, giving you a pleasant October burst of joy

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For the lifestyles that many of us lead, low-maintenance and high performing plants are the perfect combination, for which pelargoniums are an absolute must-have.

Sarah Raven & Arthur Parkinson delve into the very best pelargoniums, highlighting some irresistibly scented varieties too, and share the best tips for propagating them in either your pots or your borders.

In this episode, discover:

• Sarah & Arthur’s standout pelargonium varieties, with picks for scent like ‘Attar of Roses’ to more eye-catching plants like ‘Kewensis’
• Tips from Chatsworth on how best to propagate pelargoniums, particularly en masse
• A stunning recipe for using pelargoniums in a lovely cordial

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Products mentioned:
Pelargonium 'Attar of Roses' (Scented): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-attar-of-roses
Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange' (Scented): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-prince-of-orange

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Arthur Parkinson’s urban garden is, like many in more built up areas,  somewhat overlooked by neighbours, and perhaps the most natural solution to this is with the help of some gorgeous climbers.

In this podcast episode, Sarah & Arthur focus on the varieties of clematis, honeysuckle, and other climbers which look stunning combined with the likes of hazel, corten, or even rebar.

In this episode, discover:

• How Arthur almost-accidentally discovered the way to use coppiced hazel to train clematis upwards
• A number of favourite varieties as better alternatives to hornbeams for creating privacy and separation
• Sarah & Arthur’s selection of climbers beyond the beloved clematis, namely the likes of thunbergias and Ipomoea lobata

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Products mentioned:
Clematis viticella 'Etoile Violette': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/clematis-viticella-etoile-violette
Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/clematis-viticella-madame-julia-correvon
Clematis ‘Blue River’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/clematis-blue-river
Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'®: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lonicera-periclymenum-rhubarb-and-custard
Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/akebia-quinata
Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thunbergia-african-sunset
Ipomoea lobata: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ipomoea-lobata-mina-lobata
Dahlia 'Night Silence': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-night-silence
Dahlia 'Adam's Choice': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-adams-choice

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for July, where we put your questions directly to Sarah & Josie in this special monthly episode.

This month, we’ve some timely questions on the best edibles that it’s not too late to sow, and what we’re harvesting at Perch Hill right now.

Josie also gives us a comprehensive look at growing lavender to look its very best, we hear Sarah’s advice on growing sweet peas to have the longest stems they possibly can, and Josie has some fantastic advice on how to keep containers alive, even when you’re away on holiday.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The UK’s bird population are dearly beloved for their song, as much as their service in keeping slugs and snails at bay, so how can we best provide safe havens for them in our gardens?

Adam Nicolson’s next book, Bird School, sees him immersed in what’s best for birds and their important role in our gardens, so joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share in his knowledge and journey so far.

In this episode, discover:

• How to cater to different bird species’ needs by picking the right range of food for them
• Absolute cardinal sins for helping birds, from unhygienic feeders to unprotected bird baths

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

While Andy Murray’s tennis career is well documented, and the Cromlix hotel has brought years of joy for he and wife Kim Murray, the home-grown haven of the garden plays such a huge role in Kim’s life.

It’s a delight to host Kim on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week as she shares her experience discovering gardening, what she grows to indulge her artistic creativity, and the local, sustainable roots behind the hotel project.

In this episode, discover:

• Kim’s discovery of gardening, and how it grew into a passionate part of her life
• How Kim’s creativity means that she uses flowers in different, unique ways
• The garden’s role in life for Kim, Andy and the family

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Summer is emerging, and with July upon us comes a lovely time to be tending to our gardens, so what needs the most care and attention this month?

In this month’s episode, Sarah and Josie prompt you to sow what’s about to go out of season, think about thinning your biennials, take perennial cuttings from the likes of your salvias and pelargoniums, and continue your staking for the inevitable windy days.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

This Christmas might feel a while away, but if there’s one way to prepare right now for a more stunning and sustainable tree, it’s with alliums.

Sarah’s love of alliums is well-documented on the podcast, but this week she’s recalling some of the most show-stopping varieties with which to decorate this Christmas, and the joys that they’ll bring as ‘colour baton-carriers’ in spring.

In this episode, discover:

• Which alliums are perfect for bridging the gap between tulips going over and sweet peas emerging
• Some extravagant, statement-making varieties like the remarkably tall ‘Summer Drummer’ or sculptural shapes of ‘Magic’
• Tips for preparing your alliums to sustainably decorate your tree this Christmas

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation
Allium cristophii: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii
Allium nigrum: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-nigrum
Allium stipitatum 'Summer Drummer': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-stipitatum-summer-drummer
Allium schubertii 'Magic': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-magic
Allium jesdianum 'Purple Rain': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-purple-rain

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Being busy doesn’t bar you from growing vegetables and herbs to bring a homemade joy to your cooking, and there’s few people better-placed to share how than Jess Gough.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ episode centres around Jess’ journey into vegetable gardening, how she balances full time work with her thriving smallholding, and tips for keeping snails and slugs away from your seeds.

In this episode, discover:

• Jess’ journey into growing, and how new gardeners can follow her lead in discovering the joys of gardening
• The absolute stalwarts in Jess’ garden at this time of year
• A number of delicious recipes, from an exciting frittata to a refreshing rhubarb iced tea
• How to best prevent this year’s particularly challenging population of slugs and snails from eating your seeds

Follow Jess: https://www.instagram.com/happy_smallholding/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Pea 'Hurst Green Shaft': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/peas-hurst-green-shaft
Broad Bean 'Stereo': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/broad-bean-stereo

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As spring rolls into summer, the kitchen garden offers a bounty of opportunities to use your vegetables and herbs in an exciting variety of ways.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ shines a spotlight on six of Sarah’s favourite edibles at this time of the year, as she shares a huge array of recipes, and growing tips to make your edibles taste better for longer.

In this episode, discover:

• Why globe artichokes are such a simple crop to grow, given how prolific and delicious they are
• The glorious combination of broad beans and parsley in Sarah’s recipe that marries the two alongside nutmeg and bechamel sauce
• Exciting ways to use some lesser-known herbs with lovage, often used in Ukrainian cooking, and sorrel

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Products mentioned:
Artichoke 'Violet de Provence': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/artichoke-violet-de-provence
Broad Bean 'Stereo': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/broad-bean-stereo
Parsley 'Gigante di Napoli': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/parsley-gigante-di-napoli
Wild Rocket: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-rocket

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for June, where Sarah & Josie answer listeners’ burning questions.

In June’s episode, it’s the month of roses so we hear from our resident ‘Rose Queen’ how best to maintain them and whether or not they need deadheading. 

Sarah also shares the harvesting highlights of the edible garden, and we look at how best to maintain all your plants at their peak as we enter the scintillating start of the summer season.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The careful composition of colour is a particularly joyful part of designing any garden, and choosing the right combination of palettes is among Sarah’s gardening pillars.

Whether you’re a new listener to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ or simply need a refresher, this episode is a fantastic foray into Sarah’s four palettes, and how best to combine the standout flowers from each.

In this episode, discover:

• What first drew Sarah’s eye to the dark and rich palette in planting her ‘rebellious’ Oust Garden
• The qualities that make the ‘boiled sweet’ palette such a joyful injection of colour in even the smallest of spaces
• A generous selection of favourites from each palette which complement each other beautifully

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Products mentioned:
Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-alba
Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-sylvestris
Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan' (Latifolius Group):
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/acanthus-mollis-rue-ledan
Tulip 'La Belle Epoque': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-la-belle-epoque
Tulip 'Apricot Foxx': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-apricot-foxx
Tulip 'Sarah Raven': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-raven

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

June brings us the weather that we’ve been waiting so long to indulge in, so what should we focus on in the garden to help it thrive in the sunlit warmth?

In this monthly episode, Josie Lewis shares the biennials you should be sowing to plug next year’s May gap, and Sarah lauds the appearance of rhubarb with a lovely cordial recipe.

We also look at a new way that we’ve developed for picking sweet peas at this time of year, how to know when your pots need watering, and what makes this the month of hardy annuals.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Since we’re still in the joyous wake of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it’s a perfect time to see the show through the eyes of a newcomer to gardening and explore its greatest lessons.

As the leader of our new range aimed at beginner gardeners, and a huge part in our presence at the show this year, Jemima Bowker returns to the podcast this week to share her RHS Chelsea Flower Show experience, and what novice gardeners can learn to brighten up their own spaces this summer.

In this episode, discover:

• Jemima’s perspective as a newer gardener on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s most inspiring highlights
• The main caveat with nasturtiums which sometimes catches out those sowing them for their easy-to-grow nature
• What’s perfect for beginners to sow right now for a delightful summer season

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Nasturtium 'Purple Emperor' (Tropaeolum majus): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nasturtium-purple-emperor
Petunia 'Tidal Wave Red Velour' F1: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/petunia-tidal-wave-f1-red-velour
Nasturtium 'Ladybird Rose' (Tropaeolum minus): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nasturtium-ladybird-rose
Sweet Pea 'Painted Lady': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-painted-lady
Runner Bean 'Hestia': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-hestia
Runner Bean 'Polestar': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-polestar
Zinnia haageana 'Jazzy Mixture': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-haageana-jazzy-mixture
Runner Bean 'White Lady': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-white-lady
Runner Bean 'Aurora': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-aurora

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been an extraordinary display of floral beauty, and it’s been a pleasure for our hut to have been a part of the show.

Fresh from the show, Sarah & Arthur take this week’s special podcast episode to bring you Chelsea’s highlights, and the months-long and years-long stories behind them.

In this episode, discover:

• The joys of the Sarah Raven stand, from balancing practicality and beauty to star-studded visitors like Joanna Lumley and Mel Giedroyc
• Sarah’s pick of the sights on the main avenue, with gorgeous displays courtesy of Project Giving Back
• Standout showings from the marquee which particularly caught Arthur’s eye

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Geum 'Totally Tangerine': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geum-totally-tangerine
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/gladiolus-communis-subsp-byzantinus

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

May is all about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and we’ll be bringing the abundant beauty of Perch Hill’s cutting garden to our trade stand.

That’s why in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Arthur are taking an exciting look forward to our spot at the show, the hard work it’s taken to prepare, and highlights of what you can expect to see across the week-long spectacle.

In this episode, discover:

• How Adam Nicolson’s magical design is being brought to life at our stand, inspired by our renowned potting shed from 2017
• Some of the most stunning varieties we’ll be bringing with us, and the preparation it’s taken to have them ready
• Gardening tips for those with a small urban space, with particular attention for early-flowering plants

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Calendula officinalis 'Indian Prince': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/calendula-officinalis-indian-prince
Calendula officinalis 'Sunset Buff': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/calendula-officinalis-sunset-buff
Salvia viridis 'Blue Monday': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-viridis-blue
Petunia 'Tidal Wave Red Velour' F1: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/petunia-tidal-wave-f1-red-velour

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to May’s monthly Q&A podcast, where once again Sarah & Josie chime in with answers to listeners’ burning questions.

This time round, Josie shares the key to propagating the stunning Dianthus ‘Green Wicky’, and we explain what you should do with spring bulbs now that they’ve gone over - and it’s not to throw them away!

Also in this month’s episode, it’s dahlia planting time and Josie explains how best to plant them in terms of depth and distance apart, and Sarah gives us the comprehensive rundown on what’s being harvested to eat right now.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The Victorian era gave the horticultural world one of the most charming designs for the cloche, or cold frame - a charm that’s being renewed by the wonderful Beth Gregg.

Arthur Parkinson hails Beth as the ‘Goddess of Cloches’ through her faithful revival of those original designs with Claverton Cloches. 

In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, learn what earns the cloche its spot in any garden, and how Beth breathes new life into an oft-overlooked apparatus.

In this episode, discover:

• Beth’s embrace of Victorian cloche design, and how Claverton Cloches channelled the charm of that era
• Why cloches are wonderful for protecting seedlings from not only harsh temperatures, but brisk winds
• The inspiration for Claverton’s different designs, and exciting future with their new garden hose
• Beth’s appearance at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, sharing the joys of her handiwork

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Claverton Cloches: https://www.clavertoncloches.com/
https://www.instagram.com/clavertoncloches/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The 4th of May marks a very special day at Perch Hill, particularly this year - it’s 30 years since Sarah and Adam first arrived and started making history here.

Perch Hill looks so vastly different to how it began in 1994, as it’s taken shape over the decades, and in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah & Adam share stories from their time here so far, the many phases that Perch Hill has seen, and how the garden in particular has developed.

In this episode, learn:

• How Sarah discovered Perch Hill, and the charming experiences that endeared Adam to it
• The state in which Sarah & Adam found the garden, and first steps towards bringing it to life in the way that we all know and love today
• Balancing abundance with structure, and chaos with tidiness through a lens of biodiversity

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With overnight frosts receding, the opportunities in your garden throughout May are among the most exciting all year.

For May’s ‘Monthly Jobs’ episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, join Sarah and Josie for a run through the month’s most exciting errands, from planting out half-hardy dahlias and tomatoes, to preparing your pots, and how to handle the influx of slugs and snails..

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With spring racing onwards, the window in which to plant out your half-hardy seeds is upon us, and it’s a time that should spark joy in the imaginations of veg gardeners.

This week on grow, cook, eat, arrange, half-hardy vegetables take centre stage - Sarah takes us through the 6 must-have categories of veg, and shares an array of mouth-watering recipes perfect for the avid kitchen gardener.

In this episode, discover:

• Why this time of year perfectly suits the sowing of your half-hardy seeds
• Three stellar tomatoes, with a surprise favourite emerging from our most recent taste trials
• Recipes for all of Sarah’s top half-hardy veg, from the surprisingly savoury to the deliciously healthy
• Which edible flowers wonderfully complement courgettes in a fritto misto

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:
Tomato 'Black Russian': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-black-russian
Tomato 'Sungold': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-sungold
Tomato 'Garnet': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-garnet
Cucumber 'La Diva': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cucumber-la-diva
Pea 'Nairobi': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pea-nairobi
Sweet Basil: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/basil-sweet
Courgette 'Romanesco': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-romanesco
Courgette 'Soleil' F1: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-soleil-f1
Courgette 'Bianca di Trieste': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-bianca-di-trieste
Tulip 'White Valley' syn 'Exotic Emperor': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-white-valley
Carrot 'Nantes 5': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/carrot-nantes-5

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Early May is on its way, bringing a fresh bloom of fragrant and fabulous flowers. It’s this abundance of impact and perfume on which Simon Lycett thrives.

His style of floristry is so striking, and one from which we cannot fail but to learn - Simon joins us to share his highlights of the spring season and how you can choose the perfect varieties to create your own stunning arrangements.

In this episode, discover:

• Simon’s recent endeavours with BBC Maestro, creating wonderful guides to decorating with flowers
• Our favourite garden & cut flowers for early May, with special mention for the absolute must-have Lily of the Valley
• A unique irrigation tip if your garden is overly abundant with slugs
• Simon’s top tips for home-grown floristry, and the standout performers he’s been drawn to in recent years

Connect with Simon: https://www.instagram.com/simonlycett

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome back to our monthly Q&A podcast episodes for April, where Sarah and Josie answer questions from you, our lovely listeners.

In this month’s episode, Sarah turns her attention to sweet peas as she shares how deep to sow seeds, and how far apart to sow them based on our trials at Perch Hill. Also this month, we hear which plants are ideal for planting out in April, particularly those that bring instant impact. 

Sarah takes us through what seeds should be sown now, from the ornamental garden featuring erigeron to the kitchen garden with kales and flat leaf parsley.

Josie also shares a wonderful selection of seeds that are ideal for growing cut flowers in containers, with a lovely mention for the likes of the cosmos sonata series.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For any organic gardener, companion planting is one of the most essential, rewarding and productive ways to ward off bugs and fungal infections.

As the seasons are beginning to turn, it’s a wonderful time to recap the importance and joy of companion planting - Sarah is joined once again by Arthur Parkinson, where we revisit classic combinations, and share some unconventional pairings that you might not have considered.

In this episode, discover:

• The many reasons that companion planting is a fantastic alternative to chemical treatments in the garden
• Where and how to plant out tagetes for a reliable, much-loved source of protection against green and whitefly
• Which of the salvias are among our favourites to pair with roses, and when to plant them out
• The often-underestimated use of basil as a companion plant, making it a perfect partner to tomatoes in the kitchen and garden alike

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg
Products mentioned:
Tagetes tenuifoila 'Red Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-red-gem
Tagetes tenuifolia 'Tangerine Gem': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-tenuifolia-tangerine-gem
Tagetes patula 'Linnaeus Burning Embers':
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-linnaeus
Salvia x jamensis 'Nachtvlinder': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-nachtvlinder
Sweet Basil: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/basil-sweet
Tagetes minuta: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tagetes-minuta

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For those with a vegetable garden, The Pig’s offering is a source of inspiration and envy among many, all of which thrives under the watchful eye of Group Head Gardener, Ollie Hutson.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ brings us a fantastic array of tips and recipes to take from Ollie’s expertise and bring into our own growing and cooking, drawing on a love of the natural world that’s spanned his entire life.

In this episode, discover:

• The Pig’s humble beginnings and the exciting expansion of its gorgeous hotels
• How Ollie, as Group Head Gardener, approaches the natural world and focuses on creating a ‘25 mile menu’
• What to sow in March and April to fill the ‘hungry gap’ in the kitchen garden
• Some of Ollie’s favourite recipes, taking inspiration from The Pig’s luxury menu

Ollie Huston: https://twitter.com/olliehutson85
The Pig: https://www.thepighotel.com/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Light levels are increasing and life in the garden is well and truly bustling, which makes this time of year such a joyful one for gardeners! 

Returning to our ‘Monthly Jobs’ series, this month’s episode sees Sarah & Josie share which flowers and edibles are perfect for sowing at this stage of the year, as well as how to revitalise your whopper pots once the Tulips go over.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Knepp plays host to one of the most breathtaking rewilding projects in Britain, and from it we can take such inspiration to channel into our own green spaces.

Sharing the evolution of the project from its initial thousand species and how you can encourage biodiversity in your garden is Charlie Harpur - Knepp’s Head Gardener joins Sarah this week alongside her husband, Adam Nicolson.

In this episode, discover:

• How much or how little control you should impose on a garden that’s being rewilded
• Charlie’s work with Tom Stuart-Smith, Jekka McVicar and James Hitchmough
• Knepp’s work on balancing what each plant provides, not allowing dominant species to run rampant
• Why we at home should focus on succession throughout the year

Follow Charlie: https://www.instagram.com/charlie.harpur/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-harpur/
Knepp Rewilding Project: https://knepp.co.uk/rewilding/
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Our Events and Horti Marketing Manager, Jemima Bowker has been gardening for a few years now, and her perspective on the floral world is shared by many a beginner gardener.

That’s why this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is dedicated to the 12 flowers that are absolutely essential for newcomers to gardening. From the fast growers to the fragrant showstoppers, this episode is brimming with simple, easy to grow and wholeheartedly rewarding varieties.

In this episode, discover:

• The beauty of sowing Calendulas in gutters for prolific growth from a charming cut-and-come-again flower
• Linaria Sweeties’ instant impact with their staggering rate of growth and fantastic vase life
• Why Scabiosa Black Cat holds a special place in Jemima’s list, with its long flowering period and appeal for pollinators
• How best to treat Icelandic Poppies for a sprinkling of saturation which will last all summer

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome back to the March Q&A podcast episodes, in which Sarah and Josie are once again answering your burning questions.

This time around, we’re looking at pinching out seedlings like cosmos, whether they should be pinched out when they’re tall and leggy, and if there are certain seedlings which shouldn’t be pinched.

Also in this episode, you’ll discover a short, sweet and stunning selection of Sarah & Josie’s favourite varieties for spring, from Sarah’s beloved amelanchiers to Josie’s must-have narcissi.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

One of gardening’s great joys is sowing from seed, planting out and seeing those seeds thrive, and this year brings a lovely variety of new favourites to sow.

Arthur joins Sarah this week as we look at which new stunners and old favourites you’ll want to sow this year, and when to plant out each variety for them to deliver maximum glamour. 

In this episode, discover:

• A delicious selection of edibles, from a prolific climbing French Bean to the flavoursome Runner Bean Black Knight 
• The lingering charm of early-sown Cobaea Scandens on Arthur’s windowsill
• How a charming combination of Zinnias and Seterias 
• The two new, exclusive Dahlias topping Sarah’s list for this spring

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg:
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Products mentioned:

Cobaea scandens https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cobaea-scandens-purple
Climbing French Bean 'Monte Gusto' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/french-bean-monte-gusto
Thunbergia alata 'African Sunset' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thunbergia-african-sunset
Schizanthus x wisetonensis 'Dr. Badger's Hybrids' Mix (Butterfly Plant) https://www.sarahraven.com/products/schizanthus-dr-badger
Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Mixed' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-elegans-queeny-mixed
Setaria 'Caramel' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/setaria-caramel
Dahlia 'Adam's Choice' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-adams-choice
Dahlia 'Klara Zak' https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-klara-zak

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Over the course of the podcast, we’ve featured a huge number of remarkable women, inspiring the world in everything from natural-style textiles to award-winning garden design.

In this very special episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, we bring you a selection of our favourite clips from previous episodes, shining a light on the fabulous female horticulturalists and entrepreneurs leading the way in the gardening world.

In this episode, discover:

• How a cocktail of herbs from the kitchen garden can transform any meal
• The female florists that have given us a renewed appreciation for flowers off of their peak
• Which varieties of flower are among the most beloved for scent, and easiest for newcomers to gardening
• The stories of the hugely inspirational female entrepreneurs bringing new life to the natural world

Get in touch: [email protected]

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
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Welcome to the first of March’s Q&A podcast episodes, where Head Gardener Josie Lewis joins Sarah to directly answer questions from our listeners.

In this month’s episode, we look at the plant varieties best suited to pots with consideration for both small tabletop and larger floor pots, Sarah & Josie share the Dahlias that they’d most recommend growing from seed, and we discover the perfect plants for varying levels of shade.

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Whether you’re growing edibles or ornamentals, March is a busy month for getting into the garden. Building on our ‘Monthly Jobs’ series so far, Sarah & Josie return to share what you should focus on in March.

In this month’s episode, learn which of the edible crops are ready to sow out as soon as possible, from your chitted potatoes to your half-hardy veg, discover which flowers need planting and pruning with special care for frost, and much more to keep you busy!

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The spring and summer ahead of us is a glorious opportunity to let our gardens sing with colours anew, and in this week’s podcast, Sarah & Arthur share how to select the very best for your space.

The Spring & Summer Catalogue takes centre stage on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, as we hear about the best brand new collections, some of Arthur’s stalwart favourites, and which of this year’s floral highlights have brought Sarah the most joy.

In this episode, discover:

• Standout flowers that Sarah’s loved last year, like the uniquely textured Dahlia Night Silence
• A number of gorgeous collections perfect for combining colour palettes in pots and borders
• The brand new Teucrium variety that’s earned attention for its stunning looks and drought-tolerance
• A tip that Sarah learned from Sissinghurst which brings the best out of the Everlasting Lilies Collection as cut flowers

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Trees hold a special place in our ecosystem not only for their environmental impact, but the emotional connection we all make with trees in our earliest years. It’s for exactly these reasons that choosing the right tree can enrich any garden, regardless of size.

Arit Anderson and Henrik Sjöman have combined their passions and expertise, culminating in ‘The Essential Tree Selection Guide’, and the pair join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share the joys of finding the perfect tree, and why it matters now more than ever.

In this episode, discover:

• How Arit and Henrik’s backgrounds brought them together on this fantastic project
• The ethos of ‘right tree, right place’ and how to pick the perfect tree for a space
• The ‘ecosystem services’ that trees give to us in urban and rural environments alike
• Trees’ role in all our lives on an emotional level

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Welcome to the next Q&A episode for February, where Sarah & Josie answer even more of your questions for a bountiful spring garden!

In this episode, we learn how to split Dahlia tubers once they’ve grown extremely large, round up the best flowers for long-lasting beauty throughout the spring, and touch on the ways to create your own complementary collections of flowers.

Be sure to leave your questions in comments across social media for Sarah & Josie to answer in a future Q&A episode.

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Over 380 pots call Perch Hill home, and bring such joy and seasonal splendour, which makes Sarah’s latest book a must-read for anyone hoping to do the same in their own space.

Sarah’s joined by Arthur once again on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, this week to share the inspirations behind her love of pots, her simple approach to beautifully combining colour palettes, and the huge range of subjects covered in the book: A Year Full of Pots.

In this episode, discover:

• Why Sarah chose to write on pots, and how she was inspired by Josie and Arthur
• The four colour palettes that Sarah curates and combines to create gorgeous pot showings
• Why ‘A Year Full of Pots’ is written in the same, simple to follow format as many cookbooks
• The range and variety of topics covered within the book

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Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and for those looking to bring a floral flair to their gift-giving this year, Sarah and Arthur’s shortlist is full of delightful ideas.

As you’d expect there’s a varied selection of flowers beyond the traditional roses, and other ways to bring joy to your loved ones with mini-landscapes and pins to keep one’s favourite flowers and animals close.

In this episode, discover:

• Why the charm of printing photos is so important to relive fond garden memories
• Sarah’s ‘from acorns to oak trees’ mantra for gifting seeds like Verbena ‘Bampton’ and Dahlia ‘Bishop’s Children’
• The joy in Arthur’s butterfly pin collection and his desire to keep it growing
• How puzzles are a wonderful way to familiarise yourself with your garden’s wildlife

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Welcome to the first of February’s Q&A podcast episodes, addressing questions directly from our listeners with Sarah Raven and Josie Lewis.

Kicking off the month, we’ve a timely question on moving seedlings outside when they’ve been in a window propagator, and Sarah shares her golden rule to prevent sweet peas from developing a ‘gangly’ appearance.

We also hear the latest on ‘dahlia gall’, with an abundance of Josie’s expertise on pests and diseases, and tips on how to prevent its spread in your own garden.

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A desirable feature in so many plants is their ability to bring beauty to the garden for as long as possible, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we’re focusing on 12 of the very best.

From stunning showstoppers to rampant climbers with gorgeous scent, Sarah is joined this week by Head Gardener Josie Lewis to discuss the 12 best long-performing flowers.

In this episode, discover:

• Which shrubs and trees are perfect for making a huge impact with fantastic blossoms 
• The perennial plants perfect for bold splashes of colour like Dahlia Molly Raven, or for a softer display like Erigeron Karvinskianus
• What makes the truly unique Cobaea Scandens such a fantastic, exotic-looking addition to your garden throughout the year

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Join Sarah Raven and Perch Hill’s Head Gardener, Josie Lewis, for a rundown of February’s essential gardening jobs.

In the next of this mini-series leading you through the month’s most important tasks, we run through the flower groups that need sowing soon, how to keep your potatoes growing, and what wildlife to look out for - plus plenty more to keep you busy throughout February!

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The humble pond is a staggering ecosystem in itself, and supports much of the creatures surrounding it, making any garden pond a wonderful place for wildlife to thrive.

Steve Head returns to the podcast this week with a rousing call to action for us all to create our own ponds, great or small. He shares the value they bring, why one shouldn’t be concerned about a pond’s size, and the gorgeous array of flora and fauna that a pond can introduce.

In this episode, discover:

• The essential value that ponds bring to both the ecosystem within them, and the wildlife that uses them
• How to design a charming pond that best serves wildlife of all varieties
• Whether your pond drying out is a problem to be prevented, or actually part of a useful cycle

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Welcome back to the latest in our exciting new Q&A podcast episodes, where Sarah and Josie share their expertise on your top gardening queries.

This time round, we’re looking at whether it’s safe to move a well-established peony tree without damaging it, and Josie’s curious new revelation for the perfect number of bulbs in any sized container.

Get involved with future episodes by posing Sarah and Josie your questions - just pop us a message on the podcast review pages, email or our social media posts, and keep an eye (or ear!) out for Sarah’s response in these regular Q&A episodes.

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Rural life in a farming home owes a great deal to the unsung work of those who support it behind the scenes, a fact that’s captured beautifully in Helen Rebanks’ new book, The Farmer’s Wife.

Sarah chats with Helen this week to hear some of the stories woven from the wider farming community’s work, and a few of the book’s recipes, which follow Helen’s refreshingly honest and simple cooking style.

In this episode, discover:

• The inception of Helen’s passion for great, simple recipes
• Helen’s many touching stories from the book that detail the incredible influence of others in the local farming community
• How Helen found adoration for the lifestyle of a farmer’s wife, being an utterly vital part of any farming home

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In the early months of the year, gardeners are faced with particularly challenging weather conditions, requiring care and attention to keep your garden thriving through the frost and snow.

This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ centres around the things you can do to keep your garden glowing amid the battering winds and relentless rain - Josie Lewis joins Sarah to share her top tips.

In this episode, discover:

• Why moderate snowfall can actually be useful for protecting against frost
• How to protect roses from wind-rock
• Essential pot care through periods of intense rainfall
• The benefit of not clearing the garden too much in autumn

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We’re excited to bring a new regular series to grow, cook, eat, arrange in 2024 enabling you to ask questions directly to Sarah.

Just pop us a message on the podcast review pages, email or our social media posts, and keep an eye (or ear!) out for Sarah’s response in our regular Q&A episodes.

In this first edition, Josie joins Sarah to answer the best way of growing sweet peas and why shrubs and hedges have become so popular in recent years. 

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Our gardens, humble as they may seem, are among the country’s most important havens for biodiversity, and there are few greater champions for biodiversity than Dr Steve Head.

Steve joins Sarah on this podcast episode alongside Adam Nicolson to share how the intermediate level of disturbance that we naturally give our gardens makes them so wonderful for wildlife.

In this episode, discover:

• How Sarah met Steve, and the revelations that he continues to provide her about wildlife at Perch Hill and beyond
• The various reasons that gardens are so good for cultivating biodiversity
• What you’re doing for biodiversity when you dig up your ground, and how to know that you’re digging too much or too little
• The inspiration that Steve derives from a long time heroine of his, Jennifer Owen
• Why we should all care about insects, pollinators, and our impact on biodiversity

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Join Sarah Raven and Perch Hill’s Head Gardener, Josie to create your very own check list of gardening jobs to tackle in January. 

Whether you’re planning your gardening goals for the New Year, or need inspiration to get outside during the winter months, this short, digestible episode provides practical advice on making the most of your outdoor space in January. 

Sarah and Josie discuss covering rhubarb, pruning fruit trees, sowing early vegetables, order bulbs and cleaning greenhouses and much more!

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Join Sarah Raven and Arthur Parkinson as they reflect upon what they cherished most in their gardens this year, and what they’ll explore in 2024 - from sowing more stunning sweet peas, to taking a wonderfully wildlife-focused view on the garden.

In this episode of grow, cook, eat, arrange you’ll discover:

• Sarah and Arthur’s New Year Resolution.
• The simple pleasure of gardening for health & wellbeing
• Arthur’s joy of sweet peas. 
• Sarah and Adam’s plans to increase biodiversity at Perch Hill

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Welcome back to “grow, cook, eat, arrange” and a very Merry Christmas to you all!  In this festive episode, Sarah welcomes back Arthur Parkinson to dive into the enchanting world of Christmas decorating. 

They offer a plethora of creative ideas to bring warmth and joy to your home during the winter months. 

In this episode, discover:

• Arthur’s clever use of mirror to double the impact of your decor
• Sarah’s creative use of Allium heads as Christmas tree ornaments
• How to create a unique scent using natural ingredients from the garden
• Techniques for forcing hyacinths indoors to ensure a longer flowering period
• Sarah & Arthur’s own Christmas seasonal plans! 

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This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is one for the rose-lovers at a time when it’s ideal to start pruning, and there are few voices better suited to weigh in on roses than our own Josie Lewis.

Josie joins Arthur this week, as we hear her top tips on growing and pruning, the benefits of companion planting, which varieties have been standout favourites among Josie’s trials, and much more.

In this episode, discover:

• How to tackle the pruning of shrub roses like Timeless Purple and Hot Chocolate
• Distinguishing features to help tell climbers apart from ramblers
• Sources of inspiration for Perch Hill’s rose garden
• Which flowers are fantastic for preventing black spot on your roses when companion planting together
• The standout varieties that Josie enjoys most, from the timeless series to short climbers like ‘Scent from Heaven’

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This week’s guest on the podcast is revered for her namesake’s brand, but away from fashion & homeware, Cath Kidston is embracing the aroma of scented-leaf pelargoniums in her new brand, C.Atherley.

Cath joins Sarah for a lovely conversation about her new brand, discovery of her favourite pelargoniums, and tips on propagating them in your garden.

In this episode, discover:

• Cath’s discovery of the scented-leaf pelargoniums front and centre of her new brand
• Top tips for propagating pelargoniums at this time of year
• Sarah’s 5 rules for taking cuttings from pelargoniums
• The inspiration behind the name and direction of the new business, C.Atherley

Get in touch: [email protected]
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This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ centres around not only the charm of gardening for beginners, but bringing that charm indoors with our wonderful guest, Votary & Verden’s Arabella Preston.

She takes us through the muses for her nature-inspired beauty and wellness brands, shares how she found the joy of gardening, and which flower varieties are ideal for newcomers.

In this episode, discover:

• The early forming of Votary and Verden, with Arabella’s grounding in nature
• Arabella’s discovery of the joys to be found gardening
• Top plants for a new gardener, whether the aromatic Lavender and Jasmine, or the charming White Flower Carpet Rose

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Pollinators’ role in our gardens is a vital one, and the work being done by Bees for Development is making a global impact for these essential species, and the countries in which they work.

Martha Kearney and Nicola Bradbear play a huge role in Bees for Development’s work, and join Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share the extent of their involvement, and how we can all aid the plight of pollinators in our own gardens.

In this episode, discover:

• The origins of Martha and Nicola’s care for pollinators
• Tips for gardeners to care for bees and other pollinators 
• The importance of experiencing nature from an early age
• Bees for Development’s remarkable work, and how to support the charity

Get in touch: [email protected]
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The time to decorate your home for Christmas is cheerily hurtling towards us, making this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ the perfect chance to peruse new decorations.

Arthur joins us once more on the podcast as he and Sarah share their joyful highlights from our range, helping you to bring that yuletide sparkle to life both in the garden and within your home.

In this episode, discover:

• The delightful story behind Jonathan Buckley’s ‘Snow Queen’ photo of Sarah at a snow-capped Perch Hill
• Our trusty, reliable favourites for the garden, from stunning light strings to the annual mainstay of the solar allium stakes
• How to liven up the Christmas table and tree with the cutest fluffy sheep decorations and beautifully coloured candle collections
• Inspired last-minute gift ideas for your green-fingered family members

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Arthur Parkinson’s evocative, elaborate descriptions of plants might be second only to his ability to elicit a charming image of garden pollinators through his drawings.

His latest book is a celebration of every single garden, and the plants perfect to create ‘a living dance of lavish colours’ - it’s a delight to have him return to the podcast to share how the new book, Planting a Paradise, was brought to life.

In this episode, discover:

• Arthur’s comfort in delightful drawings as an artistic language to convey his vision
• The importance of bees, butterflies and pollinators, and which Dahlias are most pollinator-friendly
• A number of absolute do’s and don’ts for every flower yard

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Carien van Boxtel’s appearance on the podcast last week was a delightful insight into her incredible eye for naturalising, and she turns that eye this week to woodlands.

Joining Sarah once again, she shares her 12 top varieties to naturalise any woodland area, whether you’re longing to walk through aromatic pastures or colourful bursts of productive flower families.

In this episode, discover:

• Carien’s top tips for productive, prolific and pretty bulbs dotted through woodland in the most charming and natural way
• The flower families to pick for unbeatable aroma, like the gorgeously natural native Bluebell
• Varieties to plant for more striking colour and structure, like the brilliantly vigourous Dog’s Tooth Violet

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Bringing the haphazard beauty of nature into your own space is a charming prospect, and Carien van Boxtel has an incredible eye for naturalising grassland.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Carien joins Sarah to share her 12 top bulbs for year-round naturalising - with plenty of bonus varieties along the way - and her three essential tips for perfect planting.

In this episode, discover:

• What makes Snowdrops Carien’s ‘desert island’ flower family for naturalising grass
• The later flowering, self-seeding perennial joys of Narcissus
• Carien’s critical tips for planting into meadows and grassland, giving you a bustling, colourful space

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Few plants can envelop you in your garden with such naturalised beauty as climbers, and there are varieties fit to keep that adventurous atmosphere year-round.

Sarah is joined this week by Gary Newell to run through 12 of the finest climbing families, with some old favourites like Cobaea Scandens to newcomers like Mrs Amy Doncaster.

In this episode, discover:

• Features of the stunning Honeysuckles that make them an unbeatable climbing family for spring
• The autumn time focus on colourful climbers with the sizable Vitis Coignetiae
• New climbers to our collection with eye catching flair and form

Get in touch: [email protected]
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We often tout the picturesque beauty of the horticultural world through our favourite flowers on this show, but few can capture a moment with the same artistic flair as accomplished painter, Francis Hamel.

Perch Hill features in his latest, utterly captivating exhibition entitled Thirty Gardens, alongside some of our other favourites, and Francis joins us to share just how he captures the enveloping atmosphere of each garden with unparalleled poise.

In this episode, discover:

• What catalysed Francis to paint the garden at Rousham, the starting point for his gorgeous new project
• The creative process behind each painting, with an approach that allows every garden a chance to exude its most delightful features
• How the painting process has altered Francis’ perception of what every garden needs

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Amaryllis are fabulous and unusual additions to the house in winter, but while they’re an absolute must for Sarah Raven, Josie Lewis isn’t quite sold on them.

If you’re with Sarah in loving their bombastic beauty then this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ gives you a sizable list to bring into your home. Else if you’re not a fan, then listen up for Josie’s alternative picks, from the watercolour Hellebore of Merlin to the unbeatable mood-lifting Snowdrops.

In this episode, discover:

• Why Sarah fights the corner of Amaryllis, particularly when they’re forced ready for Christmas
• How to plant your Amaryllis for maximum impact and showy flowers bringing joy to your season
• Josie’s ideal Amaryllis alternatives, from the showier Hellebores to the more subtle Snowdrops

Get in touch: [email protected]
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For the keen edible gardener, this September and October present a particularly unmissable opportunity to sow a garden chock full of tasty veg.

From the stalwart Lettuce Merveille de Quatre Saisons to the unbeatable hardiness of Flat Leaf Parsley, Sarah parses through all the edibles to share her top 12, with a few bonus veg to boot…

In this episode, discover:

• Four superb lettuces that serve as the perfect foundation for any salad
• Why Flat Leaf Parsley tops out all other varieties as a perfect pick any time of year
• A wealth of recipe ideas for the eye-catching Chard Bright Lights or its chunkier relative, White Silver

Get in touch: [email protected]
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There are two things in this world which, when combined, creates one of Sarah Raven’s ideal desserts - Basil Sweet Genovese, and ice cream.

In the last of our fantastic cookalong series, we’ll be learning Sarah’s rapid recipe for a lovely basil ice cream, best eaten as fresh as possible, and full of utterly wonderful flavour.

In this episode, discover:

• Why late summer into early autumn is when Basil is at its best
• How simple it is to make plenty of great tasting basil ice cream

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Every change of season brings with it an opportunity to renew your garden’s beauty for the year ahead, particularly as we head into autumn.

With our autumn catalogue to hand, Arthur Parkinson rejoins Sarah Raven in an episode bursting with imaginative ideas for the year ahead, from later flowering Lilies, to Fratileries that mark the start of spring in style.

In this episode, discover:

• How Arthur’s adorning a new space for hens with an abundance of Narcissi
• The story behind our uniquely striking Gingersnap Tulip Mix
• Arthur’s favourite big pots this year, filled with the charmingly compact Little Miss Figgy
• The most exciting new variety of Tulip in our collection, the long-flowering and wonderfully scented Campbell

Get in touch: [email protected]
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The classic Sunday roast is wonderful as is, but with a simple, effective seasoning using the best the garden has to offer, it’s elevated to an absolute family staple.

In the next of our cookalong mini series, Sarah shares the key to a showstopping Sunday meal with a Rosemary and Lemon Chicken recipe, and how the dish harks back to the very best Greek cuisine. 

In this episode, discover:

• Why waxy, part boiled potatoes are ideal for flavoursome roast spuds
• The secret to seasoning your chicken to perfection 
• How Sarah discovered this recipe and made it a family favourite

Get in touch: [email protected]
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September has brought us a perfect storm of hot weather, warm ground, and cool enough nights for dew to moisten the soil, ideal for germinating seed quickly.

That’s why this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ celebrates the supreme ornamental seeds for autumn sowing, whether you’re after the poise of Ammi Majus or the watercolour beauty of Nigella Hispanica.

In this episode, discover:

• Why warm, moist soil in September is perfect for sowing right now
• The glamourous, tried and tested favourite of Ammi Majus
• Why Euphorbia Oblongata is curiously misconceived to be completely perennial

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Kale is among the top of the superfoods, and combined with a rich dressing it makes an unbeatable, nutritious salad.

In the next of our video cookalong series, Sarah takes us through a recipe that’s just as quick as it is deliciously rewarding. Follow along as we craft a dish with our favourite kales, like Redbor and Nero di Toscana.

In this episode, discover:

• The science behind why kale is one of the healthiest foods you could ever grow
• Which kale varieties are unbeatable for flavour and texture
• How to toss a salad delicately so as to not bruise the veg
• An invigorating combination of ingredients for the perfect dressing

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There’s almost no more intoxicating feeling in the floral world than catching eyes with a showstopping, undiscovered variety, particularly if it’s a rousing new Dahlia.

Fresh back from Holland on a Dahlia-hunting expedition, Sarah Raven and Josie Lewis share the joys of visiting Dahlia breeders, what makes the perfect Dahlia, and what’s on our radar for 2024 and beyond…

In this episode, discover:

• New and exciting varieties being trialled for the Sarah Raven range
• The joyous moment of discovering new, remarkable Dahlias in Holland
• How you can cross fertilise you own Dahlias at home

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

In the next of our cookalong episodes of the podcast, Sarah turns her attention to a fabulous, versatile summer garden harvest meal - tempura.

There’s no better way to use your most varied fresh produce, from baby vegetables to edible flowers and herbs, and it’s perfect for serving 4-6 people at a stunning summer party.

In this episode, discover:

• How to make a perfectly balanced batter, without the egg
• The extra step of stuffing courgettes that takes this tempura recipe to the next level

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Tom Stimpson is our Head of Horticulture, and with a fairly compact urban garden of his own he’s got wonderful vision for potted plants with showstopping impact.

Join us for ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as Tom shares his pick of the perennials and annuals which bring simplicity and impact to any urban garden, and the three top varieties he’d never pass-up on.

In this episode, discover:

• Tom’s background in horticulture and the charming urban garden he’s curated
• A selection of stunning, pot-based perennials like the easy-to-flower Pelargonium Sidoides
• Which of Tom’s potted flowers are must-haves to bathe any sized garden in uplifting scent

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to the first episode of our brand new cookalong podcast series! We’ll be bringing 5 fantastic recipes to life in real time across 5 episodes, starting with a quick and simple gazpacho.

These episodes are accompanied by videos on YouTube to see Sarah cook this fresh recipe yourself, but either way you’ll learn how to combine a flavoursome variety of tomatoes and cucumber to indulge in this marvellous dish.

Recipe can be found here: https://www.sarahraven.com/articles/all-day-gazpacho

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Blanche Vaughan’s stellar journey through cookery at top restaurants and becoming a literary authority on creative recipes is absolutely stunning.

It’s these experiences that have culminated in her new book, A Year in the Kitchen, boasting seasonal recipes for year-round joy. Blanche offers an insight into her rich background and wonderfully creative recipes in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

• Blanche’s remarkable history in cookery & cheffing
• The move towards evocative recipe writing through her extensive range of books
• A number of delightful recipes which make such novel, creative use of beloved ingredients

Get in touch: [email protected]
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While our gaze often falls to flower beds for our appreciation of nature, when we set our sights to the skies, there’s wonderful garden & woodland birds all around us.

Having shared the lives and loves of sea birds in his award-winning book, Adam Nicolson’s next literary adventure shares the avian wonders that you’ll find closer to home.

Join Sarah & Adam in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a delightful foray into the species behind the songs that fill every joyful woodland walk.

In this episode, discover:

• A charming app to enlighten your walks with bird information on-the-go
• The sophistication of birds’ alarm calls for dangers like foxes, crows and snakes
• What we stand to learn from birds about nurturing the natural world around us
• Our favourite species of bird to look out for in your own gardens and green spaces

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Since we’ve recently shone a spotlight on the year’s most exciting edibles for food, it’s only fitting that we do the same for drinks, inspiring you with bold and flavoursome tisanes and cordials.

Sarah runs through each month and offers up 12 delightful flowers for garden-based drinks, from easy growers like Chamomile and Lemon Balm to absolute classics like Lemon Verbena.

In this episode, discover:

• The deliciously rewarding ways in which you can create garden-grown drinks
• A recipe which elicits the flavour of Turkish Delight using a favourite Pelargonium of ours, Attar of Roses
• How drying Chamomile flowers & Lemon Verbena leaves that bloom in summer can provide a colourful blend of teas for the winter season
• Which of these flowers are easiest to grow from seed

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Kitchen gardens needn’t be acres and acres - there’ll be many urban gardeners turning window boxes and balconies into extensions of their kitchen.

This final episode of our Beginner’s Kitchen Garden Mini-Series is brimming with must-have herbs and veg for the smallest spaces, packing the punchiest flavour and boasting the very best productivity.

In this episode, discover:

• Flat Leaf Parsley’s rightful reverence for its ease of growing, hardiness and everyday picking
• A climbing Courgette perfect for training up a wall or over an arch
• How to cook Swiss Chard, which is perfect for compact gardens with its remarkable versatility

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For those taking pride in their thriving kitchen garden, the biggest threat comes from the blight of pests and diseases…

Sarah’s decades of experience defending against the likes of flea beetles, mildew and slugs culminates into this 6th episode of our kitchen garden miniseries, where she’ll prepare you with the tools to keep your herbs and veg flourishing.

In this episode, discover:

• The reason that we avoid direct sowing as much as possible at Perch Hill
• Garden birds’ role in saving seedlings from slugs, snails and aphids
• How to make a simple solution using only household items which combats mildew

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As ideas continue to spring forward for your compact, crop-packed kitchen garden, our podcast mini-series continues with a focus on Sarah’s favourite vegetables.

Whether it’s the year-round joy of Swiss Chard or the Sugar Snap Pea Nairobi which is unrivalled in its taste and texture, episode 5 brings a wealth of ideas for both halves of the year.

In this episode, discover:

• What makes Swiss Chard a versatile addition to any kitchen garden
• Vegetables to provide each half of the year with plenty of variety and delicious flavours
• The curious symbiotic relationship between eggs and spinach which makes the pairing fantastic for your health

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

At the halfway point in our Beginner’s Kitchen Garden Mini-series there are likely to be an abundance of ideas for what you might like to grow, but leave some room for a daily joy for Sarah - salads.

Once again splitting the year into April to August and August to April, this episode of the miniseries ensures that you’re well-stocked for salads all throughout the year, with hardy varieties and unbeatable productivity.

In this episode, discover:

• The 4 varieties to bring hardy flavours and productive salads throughout August to April
• Varieties of salad suited to the spring and summer months, like the heat tolerant Wild Rocket and long-time favourite Dahlias

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Whether you’ve space in abundance, or a small garden with little time to maintain it, there’s no reason not to assemble your own superb selection of edibles.

Kitchen gardens are for everyone, and Sarah Raven takes this third episode of the miniseries to share the herbs that she’d recommend for absolutely anyone, regardless of space, time or knowledge.

In this episode, discover:

• Why chefs are obsessed with the flat leaf parsley over our curly leaf variety
• What makes coriander one of the most misgrown plants
• The best thing to grow if you’re thinking about transforming your Greek food recipes

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The plant world is awash with floral terminology that might seem baffling at first, but once understood, can open up a world of creativity with flowers.

As we continue our mini-series bringing the joys of kitchen gardening to beginners, Sarah takes us through what makes annuals different from perennials, the subcategories of each, and 12 of her top things to grow throughout the year.

In this episode, discover:

• The various types of plants to grow throughout different parts of the year
• What separates out the herbaceous perennials from the evergreens, the hardy annuals from the half-hardy
• Why Sarah separates the year into April to August, then August to April, and her top picks for each season

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to our ‘Kitchen Garden Mini-series” focusing on the very best kitchen garden plants for those just starting to grow their own delicious edible flowers.

Kicking off episode 1 of 7, Sarah takes us through the five categories in her hierarchy of which plants to get started with, from the low-effort, high producers to the more elaborate and visually stunning ornamental plants.

In this episode, discover:

• Which cut and come again flowers are the biggest producers, and absolutely essential for any garden
• The most flavoursome additions to a kitchen garden, like the sweetness of new potatoes or broad beans
• Varieties of edible ornamentals, or ‘edimentals’ which boast bold flavour and visually gorgeous flowers alike

Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Sarah Raven and Gary Newell share a mutual passion for shrubbery, putting more thought into the ornamental beauty of these structural garden sensations.

In our 12 best series, we turn our attention to shrubs - all through the year, these trendy varieties are standout additions to your garden, whether you’re looking for a shrub that’s pollinator-friendly, compact, colourful or grandiose.

In this episode, discover:

• Varieties of shrubs which thrive in wet and dry conditions alike
• New shrubs like Daphne Perfume Princess which combine strong growing with showy flowers and irresistible scent
• Evergreens to bring sensational structure all year round

Get in touch: [email protected]
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With every exciting summer holiday comes the dread of returning to your garden having suffered under the scorching heat, particularly if nobody can water your plants in your absence.

That’s why this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Head Gardener Josie Lewis returns to share the absolute heat-beating tips, from the collective power of grouping your pots to the life-saving use of capillary matting.

In this episode, discover:

• How pots collected together around a bucket of water form a remarkable microcosm to keep them cooler
• Marvellously effective methods of giving plants water in your absence, from capillary matting to irrigation systems
• Unlikely tips for hanging baskets, involving the use of old socks and shirts
• The dangers of aminopyralid when buying in mulch

Get in touch: [email protected]
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As flowers drift in and out of season, so can your palette of edible flowers, bringing you joy in the garden and the kitchen alike.

Shining a spotlight on a ‘plant of the moment’ in each month, Sarah Raven takes this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to inspire your year of edible flower growing with her 12 best for flavour and productivity.

In this episode, discover:

• Numerous ways to use your edible flowers, from scattering and tempura-ing, to the art of crafting a flavoured sugar
• Why April is such an exciting month for edibles, with a focus on the all-edible family of Tulips
• The abundance of exciting Runner Bean flowers that you should grow for a stellar July
• September’s irresistible call for Dahlias, and how to use their petals in delicious salads

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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What is the inspiration behind your love of gardening and all things floral? Each of us tells a vastly different story, and that diversity is at the heart of Alice Vincent’s new, heartwarming book.

‘Why Women Grow’ paints a stunning visage of the reasons that women take to the garden, reasons that often are buried deep within the work that they do. Consider Alice’s work the chance to let those stories bloom… 

We hear a little of Alice’s own muse, the balcony garden plants that allowed her passion to flourish, and a few of the moving stories from her book with such poignance.

In this episode, discover:

• How Alice found inspiration in balcony gardening and nurtured it into an all-encompassing passion
• Ideal flowers for balcony pots, bringing structure, smell and spectacle to even the smallest of urban spaces
• The one, deeply insightful question that elicits so many heartwarming stories for Alice to bring to life in her book, ‘Why Women Grow’

Get in touch: [email protected]
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While the lovely Arthur Parkinson has been away writing and illustrating, both he and Sarah Raven have had a number of green-fingered revelations that are just too good not to share.

From a newfound love for the fern Metallicum (best seen at sunrise or sunset), to a new, pollinator-friendly concoction that keeps mildew at bay, this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is an absolute grab bag of ideas and inspiration.

In this episode, discover:

• New standout perennials, shrubs and roses, like the reliable Timeless Purple and velvet glamour of James Mason
• How to learn lessons from Chelsea, and design your own wildflower garden to look more welcoming than wayward
• A fantastic new solution which we’ve trialled on Ranunculus here, perfect for preventing mildew
• The unexpected beauty that bookends Arthur’s days: the silver fern ‘Metallicum’

Get in touch: [email protected]
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A big thank you all of the listeners of the grow, cook, eat, arrange podcast, which has just hit the incredible milestone of 3 million downloads! 

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Hosting a party is made magnitudes more rewarding when you grow the food and decorations yourself, and the Booth sisters joining us this week on the podcast have mastered that art.

Jessie and Con Booth share, between their specialities of decorative floral plants and delicious edibles respectively, their 12 top additions to any garden, such that you can grow your own party.

In this episode, discover:

• How the duo combined their complementary gifts into a business of floral decorating and growing
• Jessie’ favourite floral additions, from the theatrics of Sunflowers to the aromatic joys of Bearded Iris
• Con’s top edibles, whether they be the juiciest Tomatoes like ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’ or a climbing Courgette like ‘Tromboncino’

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

In Olia Hercules’ book title, she describes the power of food to comfort and connect, and nobody exhibits it in such a captivating way as Olia does.

Be inspired by the wonders of world food as one of Ukraine’s most moving and emotive cooks and writers joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, sharing the delights of Ukrainian recipes.

In this episode, discover:

• Olia’s background and journey to discovering the joys of cookery
• Heartwarming tales of family recipes perfect for you to try at home
• Recipes to take advantage of bountiful wild garlic from foraging
• The profound connection you form when you cook with what you grow

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Behind every Dahlia’s watercolour beauty is a mind-boggling scientific world of floral possibility - who better to share the joys of Dahlia breeding than our very own Josie Lewis.

This week we break down the biology behind the beauty, how to germinate your own seeds, and breeding for the perfect Dahlia with stunning colour and fantastic vase life.

In this episode, discover:

• The startling science behind these beautiful plants, like their numerous chromosomes and fascinating transposons
• How to use the expert knowledge on Dahlia breeding to germinate your own special seeds
• What to look for in an ideal plant, from height and form to colour and vase life

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With names like Jamie Oliver under tutorship, Jekka McVicar’s word is gospel when it comes to growing herbs for your own culinary masterpieces.

For those of us looking for the simplest start to a herb garden, even in the smallest of spaces, Jekka is a font of knowledge, sharing her 12 best beginner-friendly herbs in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

• How to combine herbs together, just as one would ingredients in a cocktail
• The flavours of herb for a zing that permeates your cooking, an aniseed kick, and much more
• Why one shouldn’t use hands when planting out Basil seeds among other lovely herbs

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Almost every day of Sarah Raven’s life involves harvesting, so over the last 30 years or so, she’s worked out the most efficient way to harvest plants and edibles for extraordinary results.

Join us on this solo episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as Sarah shares how to pick salads for remarkably productive edibles, her flower conditioning advice for a long-lasting harvest, and why you should avoid the ‘pick-plonk’ approach at all costs.

In this episode, discover:

• A perfect picking approach for salads, using scissors to cut around the heart
• Conditioning your pickings for lasting beauty from your cut flowers
• How bathing your flowers can breathe new life into even the most dire of cut Peonies

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Sustainable gardening is an essential endeavour in modern horticulture, as we learned with Arit Anderson in episode 119, and one of the easiest ways to create a sustainable garden is through perennializing your bulbs.

Sarah Raven takes this week’s solo episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to dive into the beautiful bulbs that can be made perennial, with a particular passion for the high glamour of perennial Tulips.

In this episode, discover:

• Why Tulips are among the greatest flowers to grow sustainably as perennial bulbs
• A natural recipe to treat your bulbs that’ll help combat mildew
• How to identify a naturalised bulb
• Bold, dazzling Tulip varieties from the emotive colours of ‘Artists’ to the standout sculpture of ‘turkestanica’
• Tips on how to plant bulbs and surround them for protection from the appetite of squirrels and mice

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Few people are more passionate about the plight of our precious pollinators than the marvellous Arthur Parkinson, and National Bee Day poses a perfect time to consider how we can all care for them.

In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, we’re taking you through the entire year and which are the finest, nectar-rich flowers to bring a lively buzz to the garden throughout every season.

In this episode, discover:

• The perennial beauty of Iris Reticulata, with its silky, suave blues
• Early summer Roses to lift the mood and attract the buzz of pollinators in their masses
• Hardier flowers ideal for the later months, like Arthur’s oft-mentioned Cardoons
• A sneak peek at what to expect from Arthur’s next book, The Flower Yard 2

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Arit Anderson is an award winning garden designer, TV presenter, and an unrelenting wave of joy who shares Sarah Raven’s love of Chelsea Flower Show.

With the show next week, who better to join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a Chelsea special than a woman whose history of design in fashion and gardening has drawn from the gorgeous annual displays of chromatic wonder.

In this episode, discover:

• Arit’s illustrious history in flowers, fashion, events management, and how they led into the gardening world
• Growing into television and garden design through Gardeners World and other wonderful media appearances
• The charming collaborative nature of Chelsea Flower Show and all who share their talents at the event
• Chelsea’s cultural impact on horticulture and world-leading sustainability initiatives

Get in touch: [email protected]
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Tricia Guild is a name needing little introduction, her Designers Guild brand being an ensemble of aesthetic delights akin to that of the fast-approaching Chelsea Flower Show.

Sharing her love of the show, and design ethos both in her work and the garden, Tricia joins us for an episode of the podcast laden with tips to bring your space to life through a lens of selective beauty and impact.

In this episode, discover:

• The joys of Tricia’s London garden, adorned as any room of the house would be, with care and coordination
• Flowers fit to bring the richest blues and boldest greens to your garden
• Which of the plants in Tricia’s Italian garden are perfect for heat resistance, ideal for our warmer summers
• The delights of Chelsea Flower Show, and why selective choices often create the most striking of displays

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The connection between art and the natural world is utterly entwined, and seldom is it seen more beautifully in the craft of block printing than through Molly Mahon’s eyes.

Her gorgeous designs draw upon the inherent beauty of flowers, particularly dazzling, bold Dahlias - an inspiration which Molly will soon bring to Perch Hill with an exciting course in June.

Until then, enjoy a heartwarming chat on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as she shares her passion for creative crafts and the true joy that it brings.

In this episode, discover:

• Molly’s multidisciplinary creative upbringing, from her father in the garden and mother in table-based crafting
• The sheer joy that the block printing process can bring
• How Molly styles block prints with colour palettes akin to the bold, bright hues of a captivating garden
• Favourite flowers to rouse the senses and bring inspiration to new creations

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Not every garden is bathed in sunlight at all hours of the day, so finding shade-loving flowers is a must for anyone looking to illuminate their shaded areas with a splash of colour.

Josie Lewis returns once again to the podcast, this week sharing her love of flowers and ferns that thrive with little light, from the cool, composed beauty of Frosted Ferns to the must-have Sarcococca.

In this episode, discover:

• The likes of Nicotiana Sylvestris and Grandiflora, fragrant providers of joy throughout the day
• Josie’s favourite ferns, like the Frosted Fern and the Shuttlecock Fern, structures bustling with beauty
• Fiery flowers like Begonia Glowing Embers, a stunning variety which Sarah considers nearly indestructible

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The King's coronation will soon be upon us, and given his love of nature, it seems apt to consider the flowers that might best commemorate the occasion.

Returning to the podcast with a spectacular selection of plants in regal colours aplenty is our Senior Horticultural Buyer, Gary Newell. Join us for our 12 best Flowers fit for a King's coronation.

In this episode, discover:

• Glamourous golden flowers for instantly shimmering arrangements 
• The perfect plants to most graciously combine the Union Jack's red, white and blue
• A number of easy mixes from our range to most simply bring together complementary flowers
• Why the vigourous Rudbeckia Enchanted series are right at the top of Gary's list

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The utterly wonderful, incomparable Arthur Parkinson has been away writing his new book, so it's a delight to have him return to the podcast to tell us all about it! 

The original ‘co-conspirator’ of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ joins Sarah once more to detail the heartfelt inspiration behind Chicken Boy, how he found the inspiration to form a bond with hens, the dangers to look out for if you’re starting out yourself, and so much more.

In this episode, discover:

• How Arthur’s natural affinity for hens began and grew
• The strong connection to Chatsworth, Deborah Devonshire and their poultry fancying
• Guiding our thinking around designing plants and gardens with animals in mind
• What to consider around the villains and vermin to keep your hens safe
• The sometimes-harsh reality of hen keeping

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

One of the greatest treasures that a garden can bring us is the cut flower, and with a fine selection of perennials and woody plants, that treat returns to us year after year.

That’s why this week’s podcast guest, the wonderful Rachel Siegfried, shares her penchant for perennials throughout her work, and in her new book - The Cut Flower Sourcebook.

Tune into this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a fabulous list of the 12 most inspiring perennial plants, and how to structure a showstopping arrangement.

In this episode, discover:

• A brief history behind Rachel’s delightful flower farm, Green & Gorgeous
• The simple, yet wonderfully effective four-part structure into which she divides arrangements
• Reliable framework and filler plants like Rosa Glauca and Snowberry upon which to build your displays
• Focal flowers, showstoppers and accents to breathe life and add movement, like the always stunning early Peony Buckeye Belle

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The limit to your imagination extends far beyond the size of one’s garden, particularly with the cut flowers that award-winning garden designer Butter Wakefield adores most.

Butter returns to the podcast with more than a smorgasbord of stunning flowers compact enough to fit in the smallest of gardens, but captivating enough to make the most monumental impact as a cut flower.

In this episode, discover:

• The bold bulbs of Daffodil Jetfire and subtle beauty of Avalanche
• Why the Dahlias of Rosie Raven, Lou Farmen and Josie are among those which most wildly capture Butter’s adoration
• David Austin’s majestic roses accompanied by the most delightful fragrance
• A border must-have with flowing cascades of purple flowers - Salvia nemorosa Caradonna

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Our olfactory system elicits some of the strongest emotions we can feel, so the scent of a garden should be at the forefront of your mind when planning your garden - as it is for the wonderful Jo Fairley.

Jo edits The Scented Letter, a quarterly magazine focused on fragrance, which makes her a perfect guest on the podcast to share the 12 most evocatively scented plants, from the strong fragrance of Trachelospermum to stalwart Sweet Peas.

In this episode, discover:

• The personal history with Scented Geraniums that makes them one of Jo’s most beloved, aromatic plants
• Which of the Roses are absolute essentials for smell, and why Jo would never plant a Rose without scent
• Jo’s love of Sarcococca’s incredible growth, bold structure, and fragrant leaves
• Plenty of book recommendations to inspire you with many more scented plants

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Sowing tomatoes should be right at the top of your list for the month ahead, with the joy they bring to a garden and the remarkable variety in taste.

Whether it’s the small and mighty Noire de Crimee or the ever-reliable flavour of Sungold, this week’s episode of the podcast brings a wealth of advice for growing your own. 

In this episode, discover:

• The standout tomatoes that’ll bring joy to your garden and plate, from the stripy Tigerella to the unbeatable taste of Sungold
• Charming combinations for companion planting to keep your tomatoes in good health
• The remarkable results you can see by growing tomatoes in a ring culture pot
• A whole raft of recipes to use your produce in such varied and utterly delicious ways

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Wood is wonderful in the garden, and can be both beautiful and useful to create fencing, arches and posts in such a way that cares for the environment around us.

If you’re still using the likes of imported bamboo in your space and need inspiration for alternatives, Adam Nicolson joins Sarah once again on the podcast to share how locally grown, coppiced wood can be so fantastic for you and for the world.

In this episode, discover:

• The near-zero environmental cost of using the wonderfully pliable birch
• Which trees are the most useful for absorbing more carbon, and how to best treat them
• A fascinating history of why chestnut is so prevalent in this part of the world
• How to coppice wood, and the true impact of coppicing on carbon absorption from our trees

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Beside the visual splendour of a thriving vegetable garden, there’s such joy to be had from picking your own delicious ingredients.

At a perfect time to coincide with Sarah’s new book, she takes this solo episode to share a fantastic list of the 12 absolute best vegetables, from flavoursome essentials to the simplest, most cut-and-come-again veg for all seasons.

In this episode, discover:

• Several of the most prolific, cut and come again veg from Mizuna and Rocket to the versatile Swiss Chard
• Varieties of Kale for the patient gardener or those looking for a quick grower
• A duo of tomatoes befitting of any garden alongside what Sarah dubs ‘the perfect cucumber’

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Gardening is for everyone, even the busiest among us. That’s why we’re focusing on the very best plants that’ll not only look after themselves, but truly thrive by doing so.

Sarah is once again joined on the podcast by Gary Newell, our Senior Horticultural Buyer, this time to discuss the lowest maintenance plants, from the ground cover of Geranium Rozanne to the pot-worthy Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’.

In this episode, discover:

• How the marvellous Lonicera 'Rhubarb and Custard' looks after itself and stays both fresh and scented
• A splendid Hydrangea which has repaid Gary each year without fail since he first planted it
• The constant productivity of Rosemary, and how it’s a perfect plant for culinary use, hedging and screening alike

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There’s nothing quite like finding a perfect companion, and in the plant world, companion planting could be the difference between aphid-affliction and the healthiest horticulture.

Our Head Gardener at Perch Hill, Josie Lewis, joins Sarah once again on the podcast to share the essential flowers to underplant for thriving Roses, a garden full of pollinators, and wonderful performing Tomatoes.

In this episode, discover:

• Which of the Salvias are perfect for keeping Roses looking their Sunday best
• How the likes of Tagetes Minuta and Burning Embers are ideal to combat Whitefly issues in your greenhouse
• The best, aromatic Basil to pull the pollinators into your garden
• How to create Comfrey Tea Sodium Bicarbonate spray and Garlic spray for preventing mildew

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The beauty of floristry is its ever-moving, transient nature, and that makes your philosophy around flower growing and arranging all the more impactful.

As Anna Potter knows better than anyone, that philosophy can evolve, expand, and lead you to some fantastical floral discoveries. Returning to the podcast this week, Anna shares some of the projects within her new book that can spark inspiration in your own gardening endeavours.

In this episode, discover:

• The shift in Anna’s philosophy around plants since she last joined us for episode 11
• How to create a gorgeous wreath which, while fleeting, brings such bold and beautiful joy
• Why we should embrace the moving, flowing nature of Peonies rather than attempt to constrain them
• Tapping into the childlike charm of creating a Mandala

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Returning to the podcast this week is the wonderful Jane Scotter from Fern Verrow, as we set our sights on the turn of spring and which edibles you can sow soon to bring incredible taste into your garden.

Whether it’s the reliable flavours of Tomatoes like Gardener’s Delight, or rich taste of Cima di Rapa, you’re bound to be inspired with edible plants perfect to start planting right now.

In this episode, discover:

• Jane’s history with Skye Gyngell, and how she’s so innovative with the use of veg in her recipes
• Varieties of salad leaves and rocket for all temperatures
• How to fill the cut flower gap with lovely Stocks like Apple Blossom

Create Academy is offering Sarah Raven listeners 15% off across all gardening courses, including Jane Scotter's new course 'How To Grow Exceptional Produce'. To redeem visit www.createacademy.com and enter code 'SARAHRAVEN15' at checkout. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The first hard frost of the year signals a time to prepare for the winter ahead, and there are a few essential steps you can take to protect your bulbs and encourage tender perennials to become hardy.

From spotting which varieties need to be brought inside first, to using bubble wrap, burlap or fleece to wrap larger pots, Sarah brings us a step by step guide to beating the hard frost in this bonus episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

• The least frost-hardy flowers which will need to be brought inside first
• When to mulch for effective insulation against frost
• How to protect larger, immovable pots by wrapping them with bubble wrap or fleece

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With a new year comes boundless possibilities for your veg garden, and there are so many vegetables that truly thrive in cold, wet conditions which are often overlooked.

We’re just a few weeks away from the release of Sarah’s new book, aptly named ‘A Year Full of Veg’, which makes this an ideal point to look at the inspiration behind the book, and of course share some essential edibles for the year ahead.

In this episode, discover:

• The inspiration for Sarah’s latest book, and how it came together
• Sarah's adoration for easy, productive, cut and come again veg
• Companion planting flowers which keep the garden healthy and thriving
• How to create a gorgeous, sculptural veg garden without the use of bamboo cane supports 

Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Veg: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-ravens-a-year-full-of-veg

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The size of a garden need not limit its impact, and in this week’s podcast we hear from award-winning garden designer Butter Wakefield as she shares how to bring a spark of inspiration to small spaces.

Whether you’re looking to rethink scale, scent, lighting or layout, Butter brings us a dizzying array of tips for bringing a garden to life.

In this episode, discover:

• Marvellous ideas to bring scale, privacy and structure to a garden
• How warm lighting and well-placed mirrors can make even small spaces feel grandiose
• Tips for vertical emphasis, patterns, and borrowing from your surroundings to extend your garden’s impact beyond its walls

Follow Butter: https://www.instagram.com/butterwakefield/

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Not all of us are afforded the space to plant everything our heart desires, so we’ve brought our wonderful Head Horticultural Buyer, Gary Newell, onto the podcast to share the best flowers for compact spaces.

There’s a choice in this episode for everything one might need, whether it’s to bathe your space in scent, long-flowering bee magnets, or simply the most extravagant standout Dahlia for its size.

In this episode, discover:

• The guiding principles behind Gary’s scintillating small garden designs
• How to build layers with year-round interest from tree cover, sub-shrubs and dazzling potted plants
• Dahlia Waltzing Mathilda’s bold beauty and why Sarah always pairs it with the regal red Petunia Tidal Wave Red Velour
• Gary’s absolute favourite flower families for gorgeous ground cover

Follow Gary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-jay-newell-14019137/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
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Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

2022 is finally drawing to a close, and as many begin their list of new year’s resolutions we’re making our own commitments at Perch Hill, especially around our exciting carbon and biodiversity research.

Sarah Raven & Adam Nicolson share the findings, bring us some enlightening tips on how we can all reduce carbon emissions in our own gardens, pick out top garden-worthy plants to provide seeds for birds, and chat about how we’re preparing for the exciting year ahead.

In this episode, discover:

• Sarah’s top plants to provide for pollinators & birds, and bring an uplifting buzz to your garden
• The eclectic agricultural mix that Adam scatters to encourage biodiversity among wildlife
• New thinking around the effects of methane in the atmosphere
• The surprisingly drastic impact on reducing carbon that we can create in our own gardens
• Why ill-kept bird feeders might actually be surprisingly harmful

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

In each of our gardens resides such potential to create a haven for all-important pollinators, and there’s no stronger advocate than the wonderful Dave Goulson.

A returning guest on the podcast, this week we hear from Dave as he and Sarah run through the 12 most magnificent plants for pollinators, whether you’re seeking compact varieties or an extravagant, long-lasting pollen cafe.

In this episode, discover:

• The overlooked virtues of earwigs and how they fight off aphids
• Dave’s marvellous research work on protecting pollinators
• New, pollen-providing varieties which are more compact and long-lasting
• Dazzling Dahlias, Ammi and Foxgloves perfect for attracting a bumblebee ballet to your garden 

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

Dave Goulson:
https://www.instagram.com/dave.goulson/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Whether your idea of the perfect Rose is a prolific climber like Scent from Heaven, or a compact burst of colour like Josie Lewis’ favourite Hot Chocolate, no garden is complete without a Rose.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ signals the start of a new format highlighting the floral flag bearers of each family, starting with Sarah & Josie’s top Roses, and a number of upcoming standouts from our recent trials.

In this episode, discover:

• Exciting new discoveries from the latest rose trials at Perch Hill
• The most prolific roses for picking and vase life
• Varieties that bring angelic scent in a walled garden
• Tips for bare root planting for those giving or receiving roses this Christmas

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Gardening sustainably with consideration for the world around us needn’t be a chore - there’s so much opportunity to be creative when you ditch floral foam and embrace natural design.

Well Shane Connolly is no stranger to naturalising his arrangements, nor is he a stranger to the podcast! Shane returns to share his highlights of 2022, how you can add some sustainable flair to your Christmas table and some lovely ideas for a spectacular wreath.

In this episode, discover:

• Shane’s natural designs and how he composes a compelling sense of place
• The building blocks of sustainable floristry, from focusing on compostable materials to using the world around you
• How to create a gorgeous, sustainable wreath for your door and decorations for the tree and table this Christmas
• The need to move past using oasis, and which alternatives we can use instead

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For 20% off your order at https://www.sarahraven.com/, use the code ‘PODCAST20I’ at checkout before 9th December.

There’s an endearingly nostalgic aspect of growing Sweet Peas that makes them a lovely addition to a garden, and rarely are they found to be so intoxicating as they are at Easton Walled Garden in Sweet Pea Season.

The myriad of varieties are among the many lovely aspects of the staggering garden, which has been developed over many years through the hard work of Garden Director Ursula Cholmley.

We hear from Ursula how they’ve made their mark without enforcing a narrative on the garden, created beds full of showstopping Sweet Peas, and brought towering varieties of Roses to their meadows.

In this episode, discover:

• The story behind Easton Walled Gardens’ lengthy heritage, and the work that it took to create the spectacle that it’s become
• Which Sweet Pea varieties stand out in their spectacular garden, from the likes of Toffee Apple to Winston Churchill
• How to tell the perfect time to harvest your own Sweet Peas
• The marvellous Rose Meadows that come alive in summer

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

For 20% off your order at https://www.sarahraven.com/, use the code ‘PODCAST20H’ at checkout before 2nd December.

There are certainly many who wish they could have a bustling garden, but lack the time for constant upkeep and maintenance. That’s where self-seeding perennials shine…

Achieving a beautiful, long-lasting border doesn’t have to take a world of effort with varieties like the gorgeous Japanese Anemones or stalwart Salvia Amethyst Lips. 

Hear how Arthur is looking to adorn his brother’s garden with low maintenance, glamourous and easy perennials in this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

• Perfect plants for those looking to fill their garden with lower maintenance varieties
• Gorgeous grasses that make wonderful cuttings for the Christmas table, or retain their gentle prowess in a breeze
• Our favourite self-seeding Roses for long-performing beauty and resilience to mildew and black spot
• Why Japanese Anemones thrive on neglect, making them an ultimate and unique addition to shady areas of your garden

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

View all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiH

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

With plenty of rain forecast and the threat of storms being a blight for gardening, there are a few things you can do to firm up against the threat of extreme rain and winds.

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Sarah shares a few garden-saving tips, from choosing the right flowers that thrive in moisture for the right place in your garden, using bales and hedges to break up harsh winds, and more.

In this episode, discover:

• The brilliance of a well planted hedge or straw bale to break up extreme winds
• Which delicate plants are vital to keep inside
• Choosing the right plant for the right place in the garden

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

While the smaller, delicate beds can often top off a lovely garden, it’s shrubs, trees and climbers which can often add the most architectural structure and a real sense of scale.

Some are great for reaching staggering heights, others for their role as a prolific perfume factory - join Sarah and Arthur as they share their pick of shrubs, trees and the climbers that can often intersperse them for a rich dash of colour.

In this episode, discover:

• Which Crab Apple trees are fantastic for attracting the intoxicating buzz of wildlife 
• Lovely varieties of Honeysuckle, and other scented shrubs for structure and architecture 
• Staggering, cascading climbers for unparalleled height, like the stalwart Cobaea Scandens

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

View all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiH

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest