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

Latest Episodes:

The 12 Best Plants for Protecting our Pollinators with Dave Goulson - Episode 99 Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

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/

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 12 Best Roses with Josie Lewis - Episode 98 Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

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

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 Stunning Sustainable Arrangements with Shane Connolly - Episode 97 Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

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

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 Pinnacle of Sweet Pea Growing with Ursula Cholmley - Episode 96 Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Superb Self-Seeding, Low Maintenance Perennials for Beautiful Borders - Episode 95 Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Extreme Rain: How to Protect Your Plants from Sudden Storms #BONUS Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Using the Spectacular Structure and Scale of Trees, Shrubs and Climbers - Episode 94 Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

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

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

Lighting a Spark in Kids for Nature & Growing with Julia Parker - Episode 93 Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

For those trying to encourage kids to appreciate and embrace nature, grow their own fruits and vegetables, and learn to use them in simple recipes, Julia Parker is nothing short of an absolute authority.

The co-author of The Little Grower’s Handbook joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share her exciting journey, the inspirations behind many of the book’s staggering recipes, and easy tips for growing and cooking your own veg.

In this episode, discover:

Julia’s illustrious journey and passion for growing fruit & veg
Highlights from Julia’s latest book, from the inspirational use of gutter pipes to her marvellous Eton Mess Ice Cream cake
Sarah & Julia’s favourite peas and potatoes, with top tips for growing spuds in containers
A huge variety of delicious recipes to try at home, some that can be done in just 5 minutes

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

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

CHRISTMAS 2022 MINI-SERIES: Feasting on the Finest Food for Christmas Day Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

For 20% off any Christmas order, be sure to use the special offer code ‘XMAS22MINI’ before the 30th November at https://www.sarahraven.com/.

The best part of Christmas might be the presents, but in close second is the mouth-watering prospect of an extravagant Christmas dinner.

Rounding off the Christmas Mini Series of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ with a smorgasbord of festive recipes, Sarah’s joined for a hilarious food chat with two reputationally un-foodie people - husband Adam Nicolson and Arthur Parkinson.

In this episode, discover:

Arthur, Sarah and Adam’s elaborate and utterly delicious dream Christmas meals
Cream Falls: Adam’s cholesterol-laden, indulgent recipe for a huge mince pie with double cream
The secret to a scrumptious Boeuf Bourguignon
A whole range of recipes to try at home, from simple, delicious Blinis to Sarah’s extravagant coffee, meringue and pomegranate cake

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

CHRISTMAS 2022 MINI-SERIES: Design Eye-Catching Christmas Tree Decorations Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

For 20% off any Christmas order, be sure to use the special offer code ‘XMAS22MINI’ before the 30th November at https://www.sarahraven.com/.

Christmas tree decoration is an annual event in which your efforts can elevate the charm of your lounge, and what better way to decorate than with nature’s finest floral offerings.

Whether you prefer staggering Alliums or the standout beauty of Strawflower, learn how you can create unique decorations and make them last this Christmas.

In this episode, discover:

Which mixes of flowers exude class and spectacle when adorning your Christmas tree
Wonderful uses for mirrors, lights and branches to create dazzling decorations in any size of room
Unique ways to use height in decorations and still keep your floor space uninterrupted
How to make your natural decorations last twice as long

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