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

Latest Episodes:

Rare Breeds at Europe’s Largest City Farm and Encouraging Wildflower Growth with Mudchute Farm Manager, Tom Davis - Episode 75 Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Many of us gain so much of our knowledge of farming, livestock and produce from all-important city farms, much like the wonderful Mudchute Farm in London, run diligently by fantastic Farm Manager Tom Davis.

Tom has led Mudchute to achieving the Rare Breeds Survival Trust approval, teaches 20-25k kids each and every year, and notably takes sheep to graze on the royal parks. We’ll be hearing about keeping rare breed livestock, how natural grazing leads to beautiful wildflower growth, and more.

In this episode, discover:

How you can support the local British farming community and help the return of quality, seasonal produce
Mudchute Farm’s educational services to over twenty thousand children and their families
Encouraging biodiversity throughout their vast 32 acre farm
Tom’s hard work to achieve approval from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust

Mudchute Farm
https://www.mudchute.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MudchuteParkFarm
https://www.instagram.com/mudchute_farm/

Farmer Tom Davis
https://www.instagram.com/farmertommy/
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View all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiH

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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

Live Q&A #BONUS Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJcz
Order Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7H

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 Power of Biennials with Sarah Raven and Arthur Parkinson - Episode 74 Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

It’s the time of year to sow biennials, and while they flower in their second year, the artisanal avalanche of colour that they bring is well worth the wait.

Many of the gorgeous biennials that earn a place as Sarah & Arthur’s favourites will self-sow too, so join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to venture through these beautiful biennials, from the subtle, fragrant Pillowtalk to more eye catching Tulips like Amazing Parrot.

In this episode, discover:

Varieties of biennial flowers for floods of colour and fragrance
Advice on best using liquid seaweed feed, particularly for hungrier plants
How sowing biennials from seed gives you a staggering impact compared to planting from seedlings
Which flowers are happiest on poor soil, perfect for new builds or areas with paving

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

Protecting Pollinators & Caring for our Bees with Ian & Clare Nichols, Epping Good Honey - Episode 73 Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

We’re all becoming well aware of the huge impact that bees and other lovely pollinators have on our planet, which is wonderful news for local beekeepers & artisan honey producers like Epping Good Honey.

Ian & Clare Nichols’ passion for all bee species spills out into all they do, and they join Arthur to share how small changes like growing herbs or providing water for bees gives a great lease of life to our ecosystem.

In this episode, discover:

Why, and how, beehive numbers fluctuate with seasons
The importance of buying from & supporting local producers
How we can all help fill the ‘June Gap’ a critical month for supporting bees
The National Bee Unit’s fantastic work tracking information for beekeepers
Herbs and flowers that are fantastic for the bee population

Photo Credit: Joe Woodhouse
Epping Good Honey
http://www.eppinggoodhoney.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/eppinggoodhoney/
https://twitter.com/eppinggoodhoney

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

Conditioning Cut Flowers for Extraordinary Vase Life - Episode 72 Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

The season of summer parties and sunset gatherings has arrived, and cut flowers make a marvellous centrepiece to any room, so it’s a lovely time to consider how to make them last in a vase.

Conditioning your cut flowers needn’t be taxing, as Sarah & Arthur bring their best tips for making your table arrangements last, from searing stem ends to swaddling and creating a sugar syrup perfect for long-lasting flowers.

In this episode, discover:

How searing stem ends revitalises floppy flowers
The sugar syrup that, when added to water, becomes a plant superfood
Sterilisation of lilies, and the longer flowering that removing the anthers will bring

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

The Regal Beauty of Waterlilies with Linda Smith - Episode 71 Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

In the British Isles we’ve lost 90% of our wetlands in the past 100 years, but designing your garden with pond space opens up the opportunity to bring the regal beauty of Waterlilies into your garden.

Waterside Nursery exhibits their extraordinary displays at Chelsea Flower Show, and you’ll struggle to find a greater advocate for the Water Lily than Linda Smith.

Arthur chats to Linda this week on the various sizes of Water Lily, how to design your pond to bring them to life, and ways to encourage wildlife to enjoy your garden.

In this episode, discover:

The inspiration behind the start of Linda’s Water Lily nursery
Linda’s marvellous exhibitions at Chelsea Flower Show
Standout varieties from each size category of Waterlilies
Design advice for tailoring your pond to plants and wildlife alike

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

Potted Dahlias for Instant Beauty - Episode 70 Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Fantastic for bees, great over a salad and wonderful as confetti, it’s no wonder Dahlias are some of our favourite plants around.

While it might be too late for planting Dahlia tubers, the instant beauty of potted varieties is essential if you’re looking to bring a rich palette of colour into your garden.

Tune in to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a look at the ready-potted Dahlias perfect for floral flair right through to the late autumn months.

In this episode, discover:

Which varieties of Dahlia will best suit your pots, large or small
How to maintain your Dahlias, whether you’re taking cuttings or simply deadheading
Why we should consider earwigs to be our friends, and their effects on aphids
A scintillating recipe for a summer salad, topped with Dahlia petals

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

Showstopping Dahlias & Transforming Your Tulips with Willow Crossley - Episode 69 May 26, 2022

Show notes

Willow Crossley began her habit of pleasing the eyes with a start in fashion, but it’s her show stopping work with flowers that’s encouraging us all to embrace the enrichment that flowers can bring.

It’s a delight to host Willow on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where we discuss a charming trick to breathe life into even supermarket Tulips, her favourite Dahlias & Tulips, and how Willow’s Instagram videos are encouraging us all to embrace flower arranging.

In this episode, discover:

The subtle art of reflexing tulips to make huge showstopping headliners out of your saucers
How Willow’s welcoming Instagram videos encourage us all to embrace flower arranging
A selection of the most eclectic Dahlias and Tulips, from the exotic and rich China Town to the deep, glamourous Black Parrot

Follow Willow:
https://willowcrossley.com/
https://www.instagram.com/willowcrossleycreates/
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

Celebrating World Bee Day - Episode 68 May 19, 2022

Show notes

Today marks the all-important World Bee Day, a chance to acknowledge their role in so much of our essential daily lives, and time to consider how we can help them thrive.

We’re celebrating World Bee Day this year on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ by bringing some top tips on creating a natural haven for these fuzzy friends, which flowers are best for visual flair and feeding bees, plus some fantastic actions we can take before we even consider our own gardens.

In this episode, discover:

Our extraordinary reliance on the wonderful bee population for everyday essentials
How we can tend more considerately to our own garden, and encourage the same from councils
The top plants for providing bees their necessary nutrients
Why we should do away with the leaf blower and provide more mess to protect bees

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

Cosmos, Zinnias & Extravagant Half Hardy Annuals - Episode 67 May 12, 2022

Show notes

Even with the welcome summer months so close round the corner, it’s not too late to sow or plant seeds that’ll bring swathes of bees and provide you a delightfully productive cut flower.

Of the half hardy annuals, Cosmos & Zinnias are among Sarah & Arthur’s favourites, so on this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we lust over the richness of Cosmos Rubenza, the bold Zinnia ‘Queeny Lime’ series, and how to make the most of them right through till November.

In this episode, discover:

Varieties of Cosmos both compact and grand in scale, from the rich Rubenza to the classic Purity
The long vase life and prolific cut flowers of the Zinnia Aztec series, among Arthur’s picks for this year
How & when to pinch out Cosmos for a healthier, more full-framed flower
More eye-catching half hardy annuals set to see you through till the early winter months

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