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

Wildflowers can be made to absolutely flourish with low maintenance for an overwhelming wow-factor, and a meadow can become a wonderful source of nectar for our pollinators.The early Autumn months open the perfect window to sow a wildflower meadow, which can have a spot in your garden teeming with wildlife. This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ discover the perfect floral combinations to breathe life into a wildflower meadow.In this episode, discover:Fantastic perennial additions to a wildflower meadow, from dense, colourful Yarrow to the aromatic, long-flowering MarjoramThe vital role of Yellow Rattle in promoting prolific wildflower growthKey differences between annual and perennial meadows, and which is ideal for youOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Alliums possess a bombastic silhouette that’s nothing short of iconic, and make a perfect addition to borders. While we’ve covered Alliums before on the podcast, there are a number of brand new varieties to rekindle your passion for them.In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah & Arthur shine a spotlight on the recent newcomers to the family, from the shuttlecock-like ‘Magic’ to the towering, 7ft figure of ‘Summer Drummer’.In this episode, discover:The most exciting new Alliums, reminiscent of old favourites with uniquely dazzling qualitiesClassic varieties like Purple Sensation & Schubertii, which remain among Sarah & Arthur’s top picksA tip that Sarah picked up from Clarissa Dickson Wright on chopping onionsGrowing leek as a handsome flower, rather than purely as an edible plantPlanning ahead to Christmas, and preparing to adorn your tree with AlliumsOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Heatwaves are an ever growing phenomenon, and not a welcome one for those of us trying to keep our gardens teeming with life and colours beyond the browns of dehydrated grassland.In a timely bonus episode, Sarah’s bringing us five actions we can all take to help our plants beat the heat, from reusing water in the face of potential hosepipe bans, to releasing water slower with the help of solutions like Hortiwool.In this episode, discover:Where we can reuse water in case of hosepipe bansHow to water your pots efficiently with barrows and tubtrugsHortiwool’s environmentally friendly insulation for slow-release wateringTop performing varieties of drought tolerant plantsOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Summer months are waning, and the prospect of darker evenings should encourage us all to bring light, colour and beauty into our gardens throughout the autumn season.That brings a perfect opportunity to dive into the autumn catalogue, and highlight the new varieties and beloved favourites which promise to enrich your space, whether bathing it in strong hues with some of the new Tulips, or filling it with fragrance from incredible Wallflowers.In this episode, discover:The huge array of standout Tulips, from productive perennial varieties to colourful collections perfect for potted plantingStaggering wallflowers with luscious fragrance, and how to make them last as a cut flowerWhich winter salads and edibles are hardy enough to give you so much through the cold months to comeA selection of delightful homeware, from the beautiful Ornate Candelabra, to the Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder to keep the garden buzzing with wildlifeOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Low maintenance, cheap and easy potted plants are a wonderful entry point for even the most inexperienced gardeners, and there are plenty of options for a rapid burst of colour.Whether it’s the Hollyhocks that thrive in the meanest ground, or Californian Poppies which are among the quickest to grow into their extravagant form, you’re bound to find a new favourite potted flower in this week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.In this episode, discover:The easiest seeds and seedlings to plant for filling a pot with vibrance and fragranceWhich of the Poppies and Linarias excel for quickly going from seed to flowerHow Hollyhocks thrive in meaner soil, while Foxgloves & Honesty adore being scatteredOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

There is an understated power in herbs to elevate a plain seafood dish into a truly extraordinary experience, and using as many herbs in his dishes for exactly this reason is the renowned restaurateur and writer, Mitch Tonks.Between Fish Works and Rockfish he’s demonstrated his expertise in the finest seafood, and shares an abundance of recipes for you to try with your home grown herbs. We also dive into some top tips for growing your own herbs, and tricks to excel in cooking your fish dishes.In this episode, discover:Mitch’s rich history with fishing, superlative seafood and herbsTips on avoiding common cooking pitfalls, like fish being overcooked or sticking to a panWhy harder herbs like Savoury or Thyme are perfectly suited for grilled fish, while softer herbs best complement a delicious dressingA plethora of Mitch’s extraordinary recipes, from hugely flavoursome Sea Bass with Salsa Primavera, to simpler recipes that anyone can cook in a bagAdvice for growing Basil and sowing Flat Leaf Parsley, for which the current season is still perfectly suitedFollow Mitchhttps://twitter.com/mitchtonkshttps://www.instagram.com/mitchseafood/Order Mitch’s Bookshttps://www.mitchtonks.co.uk/books-2/Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

It’s the season for entertaining with dinner parties and garden gatherings, and there are so many ways that flowers can punctuate your occasion with immeasurable glamour.Whether you’re creating decorations for the centrepiece of a table, or using petals as a wonderful, frugal alternative to confetti, Sarah & Arthur have some essential tips for impressing your guests this summer, plus a delicious salad recipe.In this episode, discover:The grid system of branches that can replace oasis or floral foam in your table arrangementsWhich roses are ideal for providing long-lasting petals to use as an exciting alternative to confettiEye-catching lights to bring a delicate evening glow to your gardenVarieties of flowers perfect for cut flower arrangements or living pots as a table’s centrepieceSarah’s truly delicious recipe for a warm salad rich in flavour, a perfect companion for the summer evenings aheadOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Growing your own veg brings a refreshing seasonality to dishes that forms part of Amelia Freer’s passionate dedication to making better nutrition easier for everyone.A brilliant Nutritionist, Author and even formerly a PA to Prince Charles, Amelia brings her uplifting, empathetic approach around changing our food habits to this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’.In this episode, discover:A new, empathetic system for adapting food habits, and how you can tailor it for yourselfThe difference between head hunger, mouth hunger & stomach hungerSome of Amelia’s favourite tray bakes and one pot dishesEmbracing the approach of cooking ahead of time, a fantastic opportunity for people short on free timeThe delightful element of seasonality in your food that comes from growing your own ediblesFollow Amelia:https://ameliafreer.com/https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaFreerhttps://www.instagram.com/ameliafreer/Order Amelia’s books:https://ameliafreer.com/books/Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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 produceMudchute Farm’s educational services to over twenty thousand children and their familiesEncouraging biodiversity throughout their vast 32 acre farmTom’s hard work to achieve approval from the Rare Breeds Survival TrustMudchute Farmhttps://www.mudchute.org/https://www.facebook.com/MudchuteParkFarmhttps://www.instagram.com/mudchute_farm/Farmer Tom Davishttps://www.instagram.com/farmertommy/Order Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

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 fragranceAdvice on best using liquid seaweed feed, particularly for hungrier plantsHow sowing biennials from seed gives you a staggering impact compared to planting from seedlingsWhich flowers are happiest on poor soil, perfect for new builds or areas with pavingOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3f2DFiHGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest