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

Latest Episodes:

The best of the best narcissi for early spring colour and scent - Episode 212 Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Narcissi are such rewarding plants to grow, tolerant of almost any site and situation. At Perch Hill in particular, it’s shaping up to be a stellar spring for the humble daffodil and its more diminutive narcissus relatives.

Whether it’s perenniality, perfume or punchy colours that you’re after in your own garden, in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah shares her personal edit of the longest-flowering and most fragrant narcissi varieties to grow.

In this episode, discover:

Why planting narcissi in your garden can be a viable alternative to tulips as the climate continues to change
Top varieties for long, light flowering patterns (flowering a little over a long period of time), fabulous fragrance, and superb perenniality
How best to plant your narcissi so that they stand out in a successional bulb lasagne

Products mentioned:

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus ('Old Pheasant's Eye'): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pheasants-eye

Narcissus 'Avalanche': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche

Narcissus 'Cragford' (Forcing): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-cragford-for-forcing

Narcissus 'Starlight Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensation

Narcissus 'Moonlight Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-moonlight-sensation

Narcissus bulbocodium 'White Petticoat': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-bulbocodium-white-petticoat

Narcissus 'Pipit': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pipit

Narcissus 'Minnow': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-minnow

Narcissus 'Actaea': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea

Dutch Iris Mix: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dutch-iris-mix

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

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

Talking biodynamics and biodiversity in growing cut flowers with Alfie Nickerson - Episode 211 Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Alfie Nickerson is a biodynamic flower farmer making his mark in British horticulture, and his 3,500-strong dahlia field, buzzing with wildlife, is testament to that.

After working for 6 years as a jobbing gardener in London, and then volunteering at Fern Verrow – the biodynamic farm of previous guest Jane Scotter – Alfie describes his journey in creating the biodiverse haven that is Burnt Fen Flowers, as well as sharing his favourite annuals and dahlias, on this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.

In this episode, discover:

Alfie’s early gardening experiences in London, and what drew him to the Norfolk countryside
The incredible work behind Burnt Fen’s biodynamic flower crop
How they prioritise biodiversity in their practices, and what that biodiversity gives back to the land
Alfie’s absolute favourite varieties of annuals and dahlias for cutting

Visit Burnt Fen Flowers: https://burntfenflowers.com/

Products mentioned:
Ammi majus
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus
Helichrysum bracteatum 'White' (Sunflower)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helichrysum-bracteatum-white
Zinnia elegans 'Giant Purple Prince'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/zinnia-elegans-giant-purple-prince
Papaver somniferum 'Black Swan'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-somniferum-black-swan
Dahlia 'Jowey Winnie'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-jowey-winnie
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

A return to Perch Hill - tales of a head gardener and talented florist with Bea Andrews - Episode 210 Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Bea Andrews is no stranger to Perch Hill - she was head gardener for many years, and is now back in a new guise as our visiting florist, aka Botanika Flora.

It's a joy to welcome Bea back for this nostalgic episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ with Sarah as she shares her fascinating background and route into horticulture in her native Hungary, the story of how she came to Perch Hill, and the inspiration she draws from the garden and the Sussex countryside in her stunning floral designs.

In this episode, discover:

The early inspirations behind Bea’s journey into gardening, horticulture and floristry
Fond memories of Perch Hill, her impeccable eye for colour, and humorous anecdotes from her time as head gardener
What Bea looks for in seasonal cutting, and how she combines these flowers and foliage in her unique arrangements

Products mentioned:

Bea’s Summer Dahlia Collection: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/beas-summer-dahlia-collection

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

Botanika Floral: https://www.botanikafloral.co.uk

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

From entrepreneurialism to The Eden Project, a life’s work with Sir Tim Smit - Episode 209 Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are two of the most important horticultural projects of recent times, both helmed by the brilliant mind of Sir Tim Smit – Sarah’s guest on the podcast this week.
Tim’s work on pioneering projects like Eden is guided by three pillars that also resonate for Sarah – education, entrepreneurialism, and the environment. In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, we gain a rare insight into how Tim brings these values to life in projects that help reconnect people with the land and explore the potential of their own relationships with the natural environment.
In this episode, learn more about:

Tim’s entrepreneurial streak, and how his Dutch and English heritage has informed his remarkable journey with nature and the environment
How innovative thinking on sustainability and the environment underpins Tim’s current and future projects, including the new Eden Project in Morecambe Bay
The huge importance both Tim and Sarah place on improving education for the future of our natural world and the next generation of environmental entrepreneurs

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Eden Project Morecambe: https://www.edenproject.com/new-edens/eden-project-morecambe-uk
The Lost Gardens of Heligan: https://www.heligan.com/

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

Our vital role as gardeners in supporting birds, with the RSPB’s Emma Marsh - Episode 208 Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

If you're looking to support wild birds in your garden, the RSPB’s upcoming Big Garden Birdwatch is an essential event for us all.
Adam Nicolson and Emma Marsh, Executive Director of the RSPB, join Sarah in this week’s bird-focused episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to discuss how to get involved in this weekend’s annual bird count, how it came to be, and the many ways that gardeners can actively support and encourage more wild birds in our gardens and green spaces.
In this episode, discover:

The role that gardens and gardeners play in restoring a bustling wild bird population.
What we all can do to provide natural sustenance, shelter and safety for birds with our choice of planting.
How the Big Garden Birdwatch came to be, and how you can get involved this coming weekend.

Verbena bonariensis
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-bonariensis
Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ (Westcountry series)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lupinus-masterpiece
English Yew (Taxus baccata)
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/english-yew
Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rose-rambling-rector
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Join the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch

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 life-changing magic of growing dahlias with Savannah Miller - Episode 207 Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Savannah Miller’s newfound passion for growing cut flowers, in particular dahlias, feeds fantastically into her contemporary bridal designs.
In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Savannah discuss her successful career in fashion, an unexpected foray into bridal design, and her newfound joy in growing cut flowers and vegetables. Plus, discover Savannah’s top picks for the easiest and best performing flowers in her Gloucestershire garden.
In this episode, discover:

How Savannah began her fashion journey, and the motive behind her unexpected move into the bridal world
The standout dahlia varieties that have captured a newfound passion for growing ornamental flowers
More about the creative intersection of gardening and bridal fashion in Savannah’s latest collection

Products mentioned:

Savannah’s Wedding Dahlia Collection
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/savannah-miller-dahlia-collection
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/anemone-honorine-jobert
Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot
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

12 excellent edibles to sow early in 2025 - Episode 206 Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Be it a fully fledged kitchen garden, or a few window boxes outside your back door, It’s never too early to start planning which edibles you want to grow for the season ahead.
Following last week’s flower-focused episode, this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ continues the sowing theme to highlight Sarah’s top pick of outstanding edibles to grow from seed from the beginning of the year, through to the end of March.
In this episode, discover:

How to embrace winter growing, sowing some of the hardiest crops for tasty salads and nutritious greens to liven up winter dishes
Which varieties offer the most transformative, flavoursome plants – from the punchy flavour of mustard wasabi to the ‘Sungold’ tomato’s unbeatable sweetness
Tips on sowing direct into gutter pipes or outdoors with protection

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 flowery flowers to grow from seed - Episode 205 Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

There are few more therapeutic jobs in the potting shed or polytunnel than sowing seeds, and if you’re looking to fill your spring garden with colourful cut flowers, now is the time to start sowing your standout varieties.

In the first of two back-to-back episodes of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah turns her attention to the cut flowers she’ll be sowing from early January onwards, working week by week to create an invaluable sowing calendar you can easily follow at home.

In this episode, discover:

Sarah's love of seed sowing, and the meditative quality it brings
Top performing seeds for the start of the year, from fragrant sweet peas to easy growers like cerinthe
A unique tip to prevent mice from spoiling your sweet pea seeds

Products mentioned:

Sweet Pea 'Erewhon'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-erewhon

Sweet Pea 'Matucana'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-matucana

Cobaea scandens
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cobaea-scandens-purple

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-purpurascens

Antirrhinum majus 'Liberty Classic Crimson' F1
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-f1-liberty-classic-crimson

Antirrhinum majus 'White Giant' F1
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-giant-white

Linaria maroccana 'Sweeties'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/linaria-maroccana-sweeties

Ammi majus
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus

Salvia viridis 'Blue Monday'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-viridis-blue

Centaurea cyanus 'Polka Dot Mixed'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/centaurea-cyanus-polka-dot-mixed

Malope trifida 'Alba'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/malope-trifida-alba

Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Cat'
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scabiosa-atropurpurea-black-cat

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 grounding joy of gardening with Sarah Raven & Alex Clark – Episode 204 Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

For those who garden, whether on a windowsill or on a grander scale, it soon becomes a source of inspiration, passion and peace. A way to ground and find solace and, increasingly, a test of resilience and adaptability too.

In a reversal of the usual ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ format, journalist and broadcaster Alex Clark turns guest question master to steer the conversation on Sarah’s journey into horticulture, what they both get from gardening, and the sensory delights that growing, plants and wildlife can bring into our lives.

In this episode, discover:

How Alex came to gardening as a newfound passion
Incredible tips for newcomers from Sarah’s 30+ years’ of growing experience at Perch Hill
Sarah’s original career path, and how she found the love of flowers that she now shares with us all
Why pot gardening is ‘the great equaliser’ and a fantastic way for everyone to garden wherever they are

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

Ottolenghi’s ultimate comfort food for Christmas (and beyond) with Tara Wigley and Verena Lochmuller - Episode 203 Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Every Ottolenghi book is a gift, filled with a treasure trove of unique recipes and the latest, Comfort – perfectly timed for Christmas feasting – is no exception. In fact, by the end of this week’s episode you may well be rethinking your own festive menu…

A self-confessed Ottolenghi fan, Sarah is joined Verena Lochmuller and Tara Wigley – two of the co-authors of Comfort, the latest Ottolenghi cook book – to share some of their favourite comfort food recipes including a delicious chocolate mousse inspired by the nostalgia of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, and a curry leaf dukkah guaranteed to jazz up any vegetable side dish.

In this episode, discover:

The diverse culinary backgrounds of the Ottolenghi team, and how they've brought together the best comfort food recipes from around the world
How to transform traditional Christmas veg like Brussels sprouts into a slow-cooked flavour sensation
Nostalgic and novel dessert recipes for puddings to top off a delightful Christmas or New Year’s feast

Ottolenghi Comfort:
https://ottolenghi.co.uk/blogs/stories/ottolenghi-comfort

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