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

Latest Episodes:

CHRISTMAS 2022 MINI-SERIES: The Perfect Christmas Table 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/.

At Christmas, every single surface presents an opportunity for creativity and decoration, and the Christmas table is no exception.

From the subtle, sophisticated beauty of dried Honesty to more inventive combinations of flowers and fairy lights for more flair, Sarah & Arthur run through some of their most exciting table decorations.

In this episode, discover:

Arthur’s use of dried Honesty pods to create regal vase decorations
Sarah’s idea to create a natural candle base with lovely pomegranates
Creative ideas to combine stunning Alliums with spectacular copper wire fairy lights

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: Creating a Sustainable Christmas Wreath 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/.

Welcome to the ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Christmas Mini Series, a series of episodes to inspire your festive season with ideas to bring the outdoor garden glamour into your celebrations.

Sarah & Arthur kick off with an episode around something which completes every home, a wreath for the door. It’s a chance for creativity and expression, even when thinking sustainably and foraging for many of your decorations.

In this episode, discover:

Ways to see decay as beauty and bring a brown colour palette to life
Which evergreen plants can accentuate a wreath with scent and spectacle
Sarah & Arthur’s top five go-to flowers for wreaths this Christmas season

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 Beautiful, Wildlife-Friendly Garden Ponds - Episode 92 Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Since we’ve had such a hot, drought-ridden summer, the value of a pond is greater now than ever - perhaps even more valuable for plants and wildlife than a wildflower meadow.

Between the lovely beaches from which insects and mammals can safely drink, the rich colour of moisture-loving plants, and the universal charm of Water Lilies, there are so many reasons to create a lovely water feature in your garden.

In this episode, discover:

How valuable a pond can be to insects and mammals alike
Tips for nurturing happy water lilies and how to keep algae at bay
Gorgeous Water Lilies like Perry’s Magnificent Pink, and water-loving plants for pond edges like Iris Black Gamecock
Sarah & Arthur’s love of Chatsworth’s delightful self-seeded Water Forget-Me-Nots and Candelabra Primulas

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

Wonderful Winter Highlights from Our Christmas Catalogue - Episode 91 Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Christmas is nearly upon us, and within our winter catalogue lies a myriad of heart-warming gifts and superlative decorations, whether given to loved ones or a present to yourself.

Sitting down with the Christmas Catalogue for 2022, Sarah & Arthur pick out their favourite decorations, the most exquisite lights, and a few stellar potted plants to fully embrace the Christmas spirit this year.
In this episode, discover:

Our illuminating offerings of light-laced garlands
Decorative ornaments inspired by Sarah’s love of Scandinavian style
Perfect potted plants to gift loved ones for Christmas growing in their homes
Exquisite baubles with which your tree can spring into life

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

Fantastic Bulbs for Forcing Indoors with Tom Brown - Episode 90 Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

There’s almost nothing better to battle the bleakness of winter than forcing bulbs indoors - it brings us such vigour and colour, and it’s far simpler than one might expect.

Whether you’re looking to force bulbs in the home or the greenhouse, West Dean’s Head Gardener, Tom Brown, is a font of knowledge on the subject.

It’s a delight to hear from him again on the podcast, this time around his exciting trials with Hyacinths & Amaryllis, and some of the more exotic bulbs like the colourful, cascading Lachenalias.

In this episode, discover:

Advice on forcing bulbs, which varieties need a cold spell, and the need to be unnervingly sparing when watering
Fantastic early Hyacinth bulbs to bring a sophisticated sense of nostalgia into the home
Bumper-sized bulbs of Amaryllis which continue giving year-on-year
Tom’s favourite varieties, from the rich beetroot of Hyacinth Woodstock, to the showy, bombastic Lachenalia Aloides

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H
Tom Brown:
https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/tutors/tom-brown
https://www.instagram.com/tombrowngardener/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/headgardenertom?lang=en
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

The Keys to Crafting a Perfect Bulb Lasagne - Episode 89 Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

While the concept of a bulb lasagne is straightforward enough - simply planting layers of bulbs in a single pot - a thoughtful composition of colours in such proximity can be truly rousing.

Now is the ideal time to get planting, and if you’re looking for inspiration then this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah & Arthur share the standout bulbs they’ll be planting in their recipes, what makes double peonies perfect for a lasagne, and tips to create your own gorgeous combinations.

In this episode, discover:

How to structure the layers of a bulb lasagne for cascading, bombastic beauty
What makes double peonies not so great for pollinators, but utterly brilliant for bulb lasagnes
Sarah & Arthur’s pick of the Tulips, Narcissi and Crocus to bring scent, structure and glamour
Tips on how you can design your own bulb lasagne recipes and make sure the colour combine to make an elegant ensemble

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

Alan Titchmarsh’s Favourite Tulips and Must-Have Bulbs - Episode 88 Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

You’d be hard pressed to find a name more iconic in the gardening world than the incredible Alan Titchmarsh, so it’s an honour and a privilege to host him on this week’s delightful episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

We’re focusing this episode around Alan’s love of Tulips and their sculptural purity, divulging varieties from the naturalised to the bombastic, and touch on some other absolute must-have bulbs.

In this episode, discover:

Alan Titchmarsh’s pick of the Tulips, with varieties from the subtle to the spectacular
How growing Tulips in pots can bring the majesty of a growing bulb into the home
Marvellous naturalising Tulips, like Spring Green and Queen of Night
Stories of Alan’s amazement with the incredibly geometric Snake’s Head Fritillary and wild Snowball

Follow Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alantitchmarshmbe/

Order Alan’s new book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardeners-Almanac-Treasury-Inspiration-through/dp/1529389410
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

Discovering the Gorgeous World of Plant Dyes with Tania Compton - Episode 87 Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

When the petals are urging to fall off the flowers that have brought your garden colour for so long, they’re perfectly poised to bring a new lease of life to fabrics as dye.

Finding this new use for plants has given the act of gardening a renewed lease of life for Tania Compton - the renowned garden designer joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share the joys of dyeing fabric with plants, and how you can start your plant dye journey.

In this episode, discover:

Which scintillating combinations of plant and fabric combine to create stunning dyed creations
The massive effect of heat on how a dye will turn out
Where & how you can learn to create your own gorgeous dyes through courses and books

Follow Tania:
https://www.instagram.com/taniacompton/
https://www.taniacompton.co.uk/

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

Behind the Fascinating Process of Dahlia Breeding with Adam Nicolson - Episode 86 Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

There’s a long road before we bring our favourite Dahlias to the catalogue, and having just returned from the Netherlands it’s a lovely time to delve into how we pick the finest Dahlias we trial.

Sarah’s joined once again by her husband, writer Adam Nicolson, to share the journey, characteristics we’re breeding for, and some stunning new varieties that we’re preparing for the Spring 2024 catalogue.

In this episode, discover:

The long, arduous journey each Dahlia variety takes before it becomes a part of our catalogue
Adam’s delight at the process and the tender care on display from the breeders
New, stunning varieties that we’ve been trialling ready for release in a few years’ time

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

Spectacular Autumn Sowing at Heckfield Place’s Biodynamic Farm with David Rowley - Episode 85 Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

The sheer beauty of Heckfield Place’s gorgeous luxury accommodation is matched by their dedication to the inspiring biodynamic farm, managed wonderfully by Head Market Gardener David Rowley.

As we look ahead to the winter months, David shares the tastiest vegetables they’ll be sowing in the next month, which ornamentals’ growth is spurred on by autumn sowing, and the marvellous biodynamic ethos that delivers rousing flavour from their edibles.

In this episode, discover:

David’s discovery of biodynamics, and how it’s used at Heckfield Place
The delicious veg being sown right now, planning for the coming months of low light
Top edibles and ornamentals to sow in the next month, from quick and easy Rockets to pollinator-friendly Fennel
How autumn sowing beautiful ornamentals like Ammi Majus can bring staggering growth

Heckfield Place
https://www.heckfieldplace.com/

David Rowley
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rowley-117315119/
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