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

Latest Episodes:

Autumn bulb planting for a year of beauty with Josie Lewis - Episode 186 Aug 22, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Taking inspiration from the no-dig movement in allotments with Ed Morrison - Episode 185 Aug 15, 2024

Show notes

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/

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Q&A: How do you protect dahlias from pests, and keep them healthy into late summer? What adds structure in the garden for next year? How do you prevent mildew? How can I stop containers drying out over holidays? Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

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.

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Breathe life into your balcony gardens with Jemima Bowker - Episode 184 Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

This month in your garden: August Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

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.

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Plan a stellar succession of plants for year-round beauty with Josie Lewis - Episode 183 Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Picking perfect pelargoniums for pots and borders with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 182 Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

How to use climbers to create a private, secluded space with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 181 Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

Q&A: What veg is best to sow in July? What are you harvesting now at Perch Hill? How do I keep containers alive while I’m on holiday? Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

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.

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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

How to make your garden a thriving bird haven with Adam Nicolson - Episode 180 Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

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

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

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