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

Latest Episodes:

Q&A: Is it better to grow Sweet Peas from seed? Why have shrubs and hedges become integral to gardens? Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

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.

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

Creating the Best Biodiversity Havens in Our Gardens with Dr Steve Head - Episode 153 Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

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

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: January Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

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!

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

Sarah & Arthur’s 2024 New Year Resolutions - Episode 152 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

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

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 Bring a Natural Charm to Your Christmas Decorations with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 151 Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 Perfectly Prune Your Gorgeous Roses with Josie Lewis - Episode 150 Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

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’

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

Indulging in the Joys of Scented-Leaf Pelargoniums with Cath Kidston - Episode 149 Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

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

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

Bringing the Charm of Nature Indoors with Arabella Preston - Episode 148 Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

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

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

Supporting the Plight of Pollinators, At Home and Around the World with Martha Kearney & Nicola Bradbear- Episode 147 Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

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

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

The Most Charming Decorations for a Gorgeous Christmas Inside & Out with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 146 Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

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

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