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

Latest Episodes:

Sarah Raven: Squirrel-proofing your bulbs with ornamental pot toppers and edibles - Episode 242 Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Pesky rodents can be a nightmare for pot gardeners trying to grow bulbs over the winter, but there’s plenty you can do to protect them, and put on a show while doing so!

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, you’ll discover Sarah’s tried-and-true methods for keeping squirrels away, the best looking varieties for form and function alike, and creative ways to make your pots work double duty with beautiful and edible pot toppers.

In this episode, discover:

Clever, tried-and-tested ways to keep grey squirrels and other rodents from digging up your bulbs
How to use pot toppers like violas, pansies, and hardy herbs to protect your containers, and add beauty to them too
Tips for making the most of your pots by growing edible plants alongside your bulbs

Products mentioned:

Eryngium alpinum

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eryngium-alpinum

Viola x wittrockiana 'Peach Shades' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-x-wittrockiana-peach-shades-f1

Viola x wittrockiana 'Frizzle Sizzle Burgundy' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-x-wittrockiana-frizzle-sizzle-burgundy-f1

Viola x wittrockiana 'Frizzle Sizzle Yellow Blue Swirl' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-x-wittrockiana-frizzle-sizzle-yellow-blue-swirl-f1

Ammi visnaga

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-visnaga

Kale 'Dwarf Green Curled'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/kale-dwarf-green-curled

Swiss Chard 'White Silver 2'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-white-silver-2

Salad Leaf Autumn & Winter Mix

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/autumn-and-winter-salad-leaf-mix

Mizuna

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mizuna

Mustard 'Red Frills'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mustard-red-frills

Salad Rocket 'Serrata'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salad-rocket-serrata

Flat Leaf Parsley 'Gigante di Napoli' (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/parsley-gigante-di-napoli

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum 'Leisure')

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/coriander-leaf-form-leisure

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 Raven: Brilliant bulbs for a succession of colour - Episode 241 Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

As autumn arrives and bulb planting season begins, it's the perfect time to start planning next year’s garden so that it’s bursting with colour all year long.

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah takes you on a journey through the bulbs carrying the colour baton in the Oast garden at Perch Hill, sharing how to layer bulbs in pots for maximum impact, and how to select varieties that will thrive in your space.

In this episode, discover:

How to plan and plant a succession of bulbs for continuous, vibrant colour from February to November
Sarah’s favourite bulb varieties for every season, with tips on composing your own bold and beautiful colour palettes
Advice for layering bulbs in pots and borders to create a show-stopping display year after year

Products mentioned:

Iris Reticulata Mix

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-mix

Iris 'Pauline' (Reticulata)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-pauline

Anemone coronaria 'Sylphide' (De Caen Group)'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/anemone-coronaria-sylphide

Fritillaria imperialis 'Orange Beauty'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-imperialis-orange-beauty

Fritillaria persica 'Green Dreams'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-persica-green-dreams

Fritillaria raddeana

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-raddeana

Tulip 'Ballerina'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-ballerina

Tulip 'Queensday'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-queensday

Tulip 'Black Parrot'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-black-parrot

Tulip 'Palmyra'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-palmyra

Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation

Allium schubertii 'Magic'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-magic

Allium cristophii

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii

Lilium 'Claude Shride' (Martagon)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lilium-claude-shride-martagon-lily

Lilium 'Henryi'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lilium-henryi

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

Mark Diacono: Finding ‘Abundance’ in every season - Episode 240 Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

For those who look carefully and stay connected to nature, there’s abundance to be found all year round.

That’s the commitment at the heart of Mark Diacono’s new book, which he’s penned in the years since his last appearance on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ in April 2021!

Mark joins us once again to share his latest discoveries, festive recipes, and inspirations for those with one foot in the garden, and the other in the kitchen.

In this episode, discover:

Mark Diacono’s inspiring journey from countryside wanderer to award-winning author, and how his passion for food and nature blossomed
Clever tips for making the most of autumn’s harvest
Inventive, seasonal recipes such as tomato and rosemary soup, baked potatoes with leeks and garlic, and a fig and fennel crumble that’s perfect for family gatherings
How tuning into the rhythms of the garden and the natural world can enrich your cooking, your creativity, and your everyday life

Products mentioned:

Tomato 'Honeycomb' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-honeycomb-f1

Tomato 'Costoluto Fiorentino'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-costoluto-fiorentino

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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

Arthur Parkinson: Capturing the garden’s beauty with dried seedheads - Episode 239 Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

While some of your flowers might’ve lost the colour that gave you joy throughout the summer, their charm in your home is far from over.

Drying seedheads is one of Sarah and Arthur’s great delights, and with summer rolling into autumn it’s the perfect time to start drying seedheads and grasses ready to create stunning, sustainable Christmas decorations.

In this episode, discover:

How to perfectly time your harvest for the most vibrant and long-lasting dried flowers and seed heads
Simple, tried-and-tested techniques for drying and storing your blooms for lasting colour and structure right through the winter
Inspiring ideas for using dried flowers in festive decorations, creative arrangements, and sustainable home décor
Personal favourites and new discoveries from Sarah and Arthur, including must-try varieties like strawflowers, xeranthemums, and the wonderfully quirky “fish bone grass”

Products mentioned:

Helichrysum bracteatum 'White' (Sunflower)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helichrysum-bracteatum-white

Xeranthemum annuum

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/xeranthemum-annuum

Amaranthus tricolor 'Red Army'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-tricolor-red-army

Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-hot-biscuits

Chasmanthium latifolium

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chasmanthium-latifolium

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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

Raymond Blanc OBE: Michelin Star inspiration for the kitchen garden - Episode 238 Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Of all the inspiring chefs to show a heartfelt appreciation for the work of the gardener, Raymond Blanc OBE might be the greatest advocate.

The world-renowned restaurateur lauds the ‘magic of the garden and the miracles of the kitchen’ throughout his work. We’re fortunate to dive into his illustrious past, and how it guides some of the most tantalising dishes from his latest kitchen garden cookbook, as he joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week.

In this episode, discover:

Raymond’s top tips for preparing the freshest, most delicious salads and vegetables straight from your garden
How to choose and grow the best varieties of tomatoes, courgettes, and herbs for year-round flavour
Heartwarming stories of family food traditions, the magic of seasonality, and the deep connection between garden and kitchen

Order Raymond’s book, ‘Simply Raymond Kitchen Garden’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Simply-Raymond-Kitchen-Garden-Seasonal/dp/1472293827#:~:text=Simply%20Raymond%20Kitchen%20Garden%20is,Le%20Manoir%20aux%20Quat'Saisons.&text=wondrous%20connection%20between%20them.,this%20book%20mirrors%20that%20connection.

Products mentioned:

Aubergine 'Moneymaker No. 2' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aubergine-money-maker-no-2

Carrot 'Nantes 5'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/carrot-nantes-5

Tomato 'Tigerella'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-tigarella

Tomato 'Noire de Crimée'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-noire-de-crimee

Carrot 'Oxheart'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/carrot-oxheart

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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

Pressed flower magic for bringing nature into the home with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 237 Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Pressing flowers can be one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to immortalise the joyous blooms in your garden, and it’s a craft close to Arthur Parkinson’s heart.

Arthur joins us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share the history behind this timeless craft, and tips for beginners to press their own vibrant and beautiful flowers, bringing nature effortlessly into your home.

In this episode, discover:

The fascinating history and heartfelt meaning behind the art of pressing flowers
Arthur’s top tips for beginners, including which flowers are easiest to press and how to get the best results with simple materials
Creative ways to combine flowers and foliage for natural, lively pressed arrangements that encapsulate the spirit of your garden
Inspiring ideas for displaying your pressed flower creations, from handmade cards to luminous frames that bring a touch of nature indoors

Products mentioned:

Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/galanthus-nivalis

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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 enjoy your greenhouse every day of the year with Tom Brown - Episode 236 Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

A greenhouse is not just for summer - it’s for the whole year round, and it’s far more versatile than many give it credit for.

Tom Brown returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, fresh from the release of The Greenhouse Book, the writing of which has given him a new perspective on just how much delight it can bring in all seasons.

Join Tom and Sarah as they share tips for siting your greenhouse, what to put in the greenhouse heading into autumn, and how to manage the pest population to keep your flowers thriving.

In this episode, discover:

How to choose the perfect spot and size for your greenhouse, making it a true extension of your home and garden
Which plants thrive under glass all year round, making the greenhouse more than a summer-bound source of joy
Sarah and Tom’s expert tips for keeping pests and diseases at bay, and why a little bit of ‘tough love’ can lead to healthier, happier plants
Inspiration to experiment with more unusual crops like sweet potatoes, lemongrass, and root ginger

Cover Image credit: DK and Jason Ingram

Order The Greenhouse Book: https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241755518-the-greenhouse-book/

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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 allure of alliums in succession - Episode 235 Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

The season from May to August has been so extraordinary, thanks in no small part to the succession of alliums passing the baton throughout the summer months.

August is prime time for sowing alliums ready for next year, so in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah takes us through a whole host of varieties that’ll have your garden dancing with dazzling and rich bulbs.

In this episode, discover:

How to create a stunning, season-long display of colour in your garden by choosing the right allium varieties for continuous blooms
Sarah’s favourite tried-and-true alliums, plus some exciting new discoveries to inspire your next planting
Clever, eco-friendly ways to harvest and transform allium seed heads into beautiful, reusable Christmas decorations
Practical tips for growing alliums that return year after year with minimal fuss

Products mentioned:

Allium cristophii: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophii

Allium schubertii: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii

Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation

Allium jesdianum 'Purple Rain': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-purple-rain

Allium schubertii 'Arctic Snow': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-arctic-snow

Allium schubertii 'Magic': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-magic

Allium stipitatum 'Summer Drummer': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-stipitatum-summer-drummer

Allium sphaerocephalon: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-sphaerocephalon

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

Drying dahlias for stunning hanging arrangements with Philippa Stewart - Episode 234 Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Philippa Stewart started ‘Justdahlias’ when a passion turned into an obsession, and her talent for drying dahlias is a fabulous way to intensify their impact.

This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ dives into Philippa’s journey into dahlia drying, different techniques for drying them yourself, how best to arrange them, and the most stunning varieties when dried.

In this episode, discover:

Philippa's top tips for hanging flowers for perfect preservation and maximum air circulation
The fascinating world of dahlia colour transformations, as their hues evolve and intensify over time
How to create a cutting garden that provides flowers from summer right through to autumn, with varieties that work brilliantly both fresh and dried

Products mentioned:

Dahlia 'Sweet Nathalie'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-sweet-nathalie

Dahlia Cactus Group Mix

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cactus-group-mix

Dahlia 'Café au Lait'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-lait

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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

Secrets to Long-lasting Cut Flowers - Episode 233 Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Over the course of 32 years Sarah has been perfecting the art of conditioning cut flowers, and her indispensable tips will help breathe life into your vases.

This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ covers 7 essential tips to condition any of your plants for not just a long-lasting tenure in an arrangement, but for keeping them looking proud and pretty for longer.

In this episode, discover:

The 6 'S' techniques of flower conditioning to transform cut flowers from short-lived showstoppers to stunning, long-lasting displays
Why some temperature-sensitive flowers flop, and tips to keep them perky for weeks
Simple, quick advice on how to arrange for great vase life, while avoiding the ‘pick, plonk’ approach

Products mentioned:

Euphorbia characias subsp. Wulfenii

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/euphorbia-characias-subsp-wulfenii

Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non scripta)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinthoides-non-scripta-bluebells

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

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