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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Cut flowers are one of the great joys of summer, and since Sarah’s last episode on cut flowers, there are a host of wonderful new varieties worthy of adorning your vases.

This episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ hones in on 20 of the best flowers for taking cuttings throughout the coming season, offering unbeatable scent, intriguing shapes, and staggering productivity all summer long.

In this episode, discover:

• Cut flowers with productivity and personality, from the elegant Nicotiana Silvestris to more delicate grasses 
• The top flower picks that last for weeks, or sometimes up to a month
• How to create showstopping arrangements with fragrance, which are also marvellously pollinator-friendly
• Which flowers have the longest flowering seasons for cut flowers all season long

Products mentioned:

Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely'"

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nicotiana-sylvestris

Paeonia 'Coral Sunset'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/paeonia-coral-sunset

Rosa x odorata 'Mutabilis' (China)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-oderata-mutabilis

Rosa rubrifolia (Shrub)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-glauca-syn-rubrifolia

Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lonicera-periclymenum-graham-thomas

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'

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

Briza maxima (Greater Quaking Grass)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/briza-maxima-greater-quaking-grass

Chasmanthium latifolium

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

Panicum capillare 'Sparkling Fountain'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/panicum-sparkling-fountain

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Purity'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-purity

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-apricotta

Antirrhinum majus 'Potomac Apple-blossom' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-majus-potomac-apple-blossom-f1

Antirrhinum 'Liberty Crimson' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/antirrhinum-liberty-crimson

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The Great British Sewing Bee brings so much delight to those who watch it, and instrumental to its charm is Co-Host Patrick Grant, this week’s fabulous podcast guest.

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ dives into the magic behind the show, what makes it so enjoyable for everyone on and off-screen, Patrick’s marvellous mission with Community Clothing, and the ambitious plans for an inspiring garden transformation at his Yorkshire home.

In this episode, discover:

• Behind the magic of The Great British Sewing Bee, how Patrick came to present the show, and what makes it such a special experience
• Patrick’s incredible mission with Community Clothing, breathing life back into British textile manufacturing 
• How Patrick is transforming his charming garden in Yorkshire into a thriving, beautiful space

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

At this time of year sweet peas are one of the season’s greatest joys, whether through the earlier flowering varieties or the incredibly fragrant flowers.

In this solo episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah dives into the best growing systems for stunning sweet peas, a new method for picking & deadheading, and the specific sweet peas that will make your garden sing through spring.

In this episode, discover:

• How best to condition sweet peas for the most prolific growth and huge stems
• A new method of picking that helps give you more flowers, and keep life in your sweet peas
• Sarah’s tips for preventing mildew, not just for sweet peas but for most plants
• The absolute top varieties for perfume, performance, and early-flowering delights

Products mentioned:

Sweet Pea 'Matucana'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-matucana

Sweet Pea 'Mrs Collier'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lathyrus-odoratus-mrs-collier

Sweet Pea 'Nimbus'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-nimbus 

Sweet Pea 'Blue Velvet'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sweet-pea-blue-velvet

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There’s nothing quite like cooking outside, and summer provides the perfect opportunity to light a fire and cook up a feast, all inspired by expert tips and recipes courtesy of chef and author, Gill Meller.

Highlighting delicious recipes from his book ‘Outside’, Gill joins Sarah on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share stories of his early forays cooking outdoors, the recipes he couldn’t live without, and some common pitfalls to avoid when you’re inevitably inspired to cook on the fire.

In this episode, discover:

• Advice for cooking delicious meals outdoors, transforming flavours and the importance of great ingredients
• The origins of the personal connection that Gill shares with cooking and the outdoors
• Indispensable tools and techniques for successful cooking, and advice on how to manage a fire effectively and safely
• The primal joy of outdoor cooking, and how it engages all our senses 

Outside by Gill Meller:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outside-Recipes-Wilder-Way-Eating/dp/1787137473

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Between starting out at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, a spot on Alan Titchmarsh’s new TV show, and raising two young daughters, organic grower Anna Greenland is a modern horticultural heroine.

Returning to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this month, Anna joins Sarah to share how she inspires her children to grow with her, tips for encouraging younger family members to embrace gardening, and what to sow or harvest now to enjoy the kitchen garden’s greatest gifts.

In this episode, discover:

• How Anna became a passionate vegetable grower and her journey from front of house at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, to growing and supplying produce at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
• A glimpse into the life of gardening with children, and creative ways to engage kids in the garden
• Practical growing tips for July, with Anna’s pick of what to harvest now, and what to sow for autumn and winter crops
• Anna's endeavours as a gardening expert, working on Alan Titchmarsh's gardening show, and her involvement with the garden writing subscription Scribehound

Products mentioned:

Chicory 'Variegato di Castelfranco'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chicory-variegato-di-castelfranco

Carrot 'Nantes 5'

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

Salad Leaf Autumn & Winter Mix

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

Winter purslane (Claytonia)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/winter-purslane

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As May turns to June the weather can often be blustery at Perch Hill, so it’s the perfect moment to get supports and stakes in place to avoid plants being damaged in high winds.

Inspired by the sustainable materials that grow plentifully in this particular part of East Sussex, this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is a masterclass on sustainable staking as Sarah unpacks the most suitable materials, where to source them, and most importantly, the best methods to ensure they won’t budge in a storm.

In this episode, discover:

• How to embrace sustainable staking materials, from long-lasting chestnut stakes to stately silver birch teepees
• The secret sailor's knot that'll keep your plants secure even in the wildest gales
• Why leaving your dahlias in the ground and creating a cat's cradle support system is the ultimate low-effort trick for stunning, upright plants
• The art of creating natural plant supports that will disappear into your garden, making your borders look effortlessly elegant 

Products mentioned:

Cynara cardunculus

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cynara-cardunculus

Delphinium border collection

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/delphinium-border-collection

Willow flower stakes

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/willow-flower-stakes

Heritage chunky twine

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/heritage-chunky-twine

Chestnut hurdles

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chestnut-hurdles

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was yet another terrific exhibition of horticultural beauty, to which Arthur Parkinson had a fabulous front-row seat. 

Arthur takes the mic on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week, once again bringing you the best in show, from the headlines of royal roses to the lesser-known stories from incredible stands and gardens at the show.

In this episode, discover:

• A rose fit for a King, with David Austin’s announcement of a new variety
• The Great Pavillion’s most grand displays, and what made it Arthur’s favourite part of the show
• Some of the incredible stands run by organisations with purpose, such as the Songbird Survival Trust and Women of the Glasshouse

Products mentioned:

Crabapple

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

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-rubenza

Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot

Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-somniferum-black-beauty

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

While we all love a trip to the garden centre for short-term inspiration, a more measured approach to buying the right kind of plants for your plot can help you achieve a beautiful and sustainable garden, with year-round interest and resilience.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah is joined by Gary Newell, Senior Horticultural Buyer, who advises us to ditch the impulse plant purchases and instead, follow his simple rules for matrix planting – a method he’s used to great effect in his own garden at home.

In this episode, discover:

• The art of matrix planting – a nature-led, strategic method used in landscape design
• Which plants are best-suited to create a stunning, low-maintenance garden
• The four essential layers of matrix planting – from the ground-hugging base layer, to show-stopping structural shrubs

Products mentioned:

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' AGM

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-limelight

Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball' (Strong Annabelle)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-incrediball

Hydrangea paniculata 'Wim's Red'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-wims-red

Baptisia australis

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/baptisia-australis

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-nemarosa-caradonna

Amelanchier lamarckii

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amelanchier-lamarckii

Cotinus x dummeri 'Grace'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cotinus-grace

Cornus kousa var. chinensis

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cornus-kousa-var-chinensis

Pelargonium 'Attar of Roses' (Scented)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-attar-of-roses

Ammi majus

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

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-purity

Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helenium-moerheim-beauty

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Biennials – plants which flower in their second year – may often be overlooked by us gardeners, but between their value for money, wonderful scent, and versatility they’re among the best plants to sow and grow in any garden.

Sarah makes the case for brilliant biennials in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, exploring how she came to appreciate their beauty, and which varieties are best for all aspects of your space.

In this episode, discover:

• How the right mix of biennials can fill the awkward May gap with prolific blooms, all for the price of a seed packet
• The best early-flowering biennials, from fragrant wallflowers to the scented sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalis
• Moth-pollinated varieties with rich fragrance and velvety textures to create a pollinator paradise

Products mentioned:

Rosa x odorata 'Mutabilis' (China)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-oderata-mutabilis

Rosa × odorata 'Bengal Crimson' (China)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-x-odorata-bengal-crimson

Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot

Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-alba

Wild Sweet William (Saponaria officinalis)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-sweet-william

Matthiola incana 'Vintage Antique Mix'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/matthiola-incana-vintage-antique-mix

Malope trifida 'Vulcan'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/malope-trifida-vulcan

Lunaria annua

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annua

Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-nudicaule-champagne-bubbles-mix-f1

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Tom Stimpson’s pint-sized garden is an inspiration for anyone with a small urban plot, and it’s packed with showstopping varieties that will flower for months on end providing colour, scent, and food for pollinators in a compact space.

In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Tom, our Head of Horticulture, tells Sarah how he’s brought his small town garden to life, including the irresistible combinations of dahlias and salvias that he’s planting in his whopper pots for the season to come.  

In this episode, discover:

• Tom's ingenious approach to small-space gardening
• New plant varieties to transform pots, with an eye on an upcoming dahlia called 'Tom's Choice' 
• The art of colour-layering in garden design, choosing from palettes to co-ordinate your borders

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Gardens are a multisensory experience, and while we primarily think of aesthetics, it’s the scent of spring plants which is absolutely second to none.

Sarah’s flying solo this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share her pick of favourite scented spring bulbs and other perfumed plants to envelop your senses and uplift your spirits.

In this episode, discover:

• Spring's most wonderfully scented bulbs, from delicate narcissus to room-filling tulips
• Which bulbs are Sarah’s longest-flowering, most resilient garden heroes
• How to create a sensory sensation with fragrant climbers that transform your outdoor space

Products mentioned:

Hyacinth 'Peter Stuyvesant' for Forcing

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinth-peter-stuyvesant-for-forcing

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock' (Forcing)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hyacinth-woodstock-for-forcing

Narcissus 'Moonlight Sensation'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-moonlight-sensation

Narcissus 'Starlight Sensation'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensation

Narcissus 'Actaea'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea

Narcissus 'Geranium'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-geranium

Narcissus 'Avalanche'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche

Narcissus 'Cragford' (Forcing)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-cragford-for-forcing

Narcissus cordubensis

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-cordubensis

Narcissus 'Pipit'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pipit

Tulip 'Ballerina'

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

Geum 'Totally Tangerine'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geum-totally-tangerine

Tulip sylvestris

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulipa-sylvestris

Tulip 'Request'

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

Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/akebia-quinata

Tulip 'Sarah Raven'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-raven

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Urban gardeners who rent will be familiar with the need to transport their portable gardens frequently, so which plants are ideal for pots and containers that are often on the move?

Jemima Bowker is our beginner and balcony gardening expert with a relocation on the horizon. This week, she joins Sarah to chat about the ideal varieties for all sizes and types of container, and ways to protect and transport them during her upcoming move.

In this episode, discover:

• The art of creating a portable garden paradise in zinc tubs and windowsill planters
• Perfect plants for smaller spaces, from bush basil to Texas Wild tomatoes 
• How to layer compost, feeding your plants and keeping containers looking pristine from May right through to autumn

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There's been some exciting breeding and hybridising using species tulips - those closely related to wild tulips - in recent years, which has made them perfect plants for withstanding tulip fire.

Species tulips are a newfound favourite for Josie and Sarah at Perch Hill, and in this episode we’ll hear why they’re a must-have for pots in particular, and which incredible varieties have captured their attention.

In this episode, discover:

• The remarkable resilience of species tulips to wetter springs and fungal disease 
• A vibrant world of unique tulip varieties, from the flame-like Tulip acuminata, to Cretan natives like Hilde
• Tips for naturalising species tulips in grass and growing in pots for decades of stunning blooms
• How species tulips are the ultimate breakfast buffet for early pollinators and emerging bumblebee queens

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Bees are an absolute passion for us at Perch Hill, not just for their pollination and presence in the garden, but for their delicious and nutritious produce too.

The same can be said for award-winning author and fermentation expert, Rachel de Thample, who joins Sarah this week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ to share delicious honey-inspired recipes from her new book, her pick of the best bee-friendly plants, and much more besides.

In this episode, discover:

• Rachel’s journey to writing her latest book, working at River Cottage and being introduced to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
• The incredible and industrious world of bees, and how it takes 12 bees a lifetime to create a single teaspoon of honey 
• Bee-friendly herbs that are not just beautiful, but useful to bees and humans alike
• A reimagined view of honey in cooking with Rachel's spectacular recipes

Products mentioned:

Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thyme-common

Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/summer-savory

Oregano 'Hot and Spicy'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/oregano-hot-and-spicy

Artichoke 'Violet de Provence'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/artichoke-violet-de-provence

Borago officinalis (Borage)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/borago-officinalis

Allium siculum (syn. Nectaroscordum)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nectaroscordum-siculum

Discover Rachel’s new book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bees--honey-9781526625465/

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There’s a rich, complex, and utterly rewarding natural world that co-exists alongside ours, and relies on our gardens for food and safety – the often surprising world of small garden birds.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Adam Nicolson shares insights from his new book, Bird School, which explores the secret life of these tiny avian visitors, so often unfurling right under our noses in our gardens and green spaces.

In this episode, discover:

• The true reasons behind the dawn chorus, its unique sound and timing
• What inspired Adam to immerse himself in the world of small birds
• How birds perceive the world so intricately, in a way that we’re yet to fully understand
• What we as gardeners can do to help protect our British bird species

Order Adam’s new book, Bird School:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bird-School-Beginner-Adam-Nicolson/dp/000849083X

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

Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount Aso’

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salix-gracilistyla-mount-aso

Goat willow hedging

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/goat-willow-hedging

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Spring is here in all its glory, and with it comes the perfect moment to plant and sow. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ we’ve compiled our top tips and growing inspiration from not one, but seven of Sarah’s all-time favourite guests.

From Knepp’s Charlie Harpur on his favourite plants for pollinators, to the veg varieties Jess Gough is growing at home, revisit some of Sarah’s greatest guests and their timely recommendations for gardens large and small. Sarah also shares five fresh ideas for what to plant into your garden right now.

In this episode, discover:

• Top growing tips from seven of Sarah’s most illustrious gardening guests
• Inspiration on plants for perfume, pollinators and punchy colour combinations in your garden
• Sarah’s top five flowers to plant now with springtime in mind

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Charles Dowding is world-renowned as a pioneer of no dig growing, and while it’s great for saving time and effort, it’s also proven to be more productive and better for the environment, and the soil, too.

Who better to hear from on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ than the pioneer himself, as Charles joins Sarah and Josie to share his decades of experience with no dig, tips on creating your own fertile garden compost at home, and inspiring ideas for what to sow in late-March.

In this episode, discover:

• Charles’ experience with the no dig ethos in different soil types around the world
• How switching to no dig has made his crops consistently more productive across many years
• How to convert your own organic waste into fertile compost for successful growing and improve the long-term health of your soil

Discover Charles Dowding’s latest book:

https://shop.charlesdowding.co.uk/products/compost-transform-waste-into-new-life

Products mentioned:

Chervil 'Vertissimo'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chervil-vertissimo

Coriander 'Leisure'

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

Mustard 'Red Frills'

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

Winter purslane (Claytonia)

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/winter-purslane

Wild Rocket

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wild-rocket

Salad Rocket 'Serrata'

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

Mustard 'Red Frills'

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

Broad Bean 'Superaguadulce'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/broad-bean-superaguadulce

Lettuce Oak Leaf Collection

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/organic-lettuce-seed-collection

Pea ‘Hurst Green Shaft’ 

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/peas-hurst-green-shaft

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

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest