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

Latest Episodes:

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Protecting Your Garden from Pests and Diseases Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Versatile Vegetables for the Kitchen Garden Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Essential Salads for the Kitchen Garden Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Unbeatable Herbs for Every Kitchen Garden Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Simplifying the Plant World Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

KITCHEN GARDEN MINI-SERIES: Sarah’s 5 Essential Categories of Edibles Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

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

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

12 Top Shrubs for Scent, Structure and Extravagance with Gary Newell - Episode 131 Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

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

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

Prepare Your Garden for Heat Whilst You’re Away with Josie Lewis - Episode 130 Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

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

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 Year in Edibles: Sarah’s 12 Best Edible Flowers - Episode 129 Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

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

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

Why Women Grow: Exploring the Roots of Gardening Passion with Alice Vincent - Episode 128 Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

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’

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