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

With the spring season fast approaching, this week seemed a fitting time to consider our pick of the early tulips to bring some spring colour to your garden. Helping us to choose our favourites on this episode is a wonderful guest with a background in fine art and floristry, Anna Potter.As the artistic eye behind Swallows & Damsons, Anna shares her journey to building her own floristry company utilising her photography skills to create a ‘visual diary’, and we hear how to chit potatoes and use them in a variety of delicious dishes.In this episode, discover:Anna’s background in fine art, and how it grew into a love of floristryHow she grew Swallows & Damsons through beautiful Instagram contentAnna, Sarah & Arthur’s absolute favourite early tulipsThe story behind the tulip named after Sarah RavenChitting potatoes, and everyone’s favourite recipe for their potato of choiceView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/3CIWeT5Swallows & Damsons: http://www.swallowsanddamsons.com/Anna Potter’s book - The Flower Fix: https://amzn.to/39WzZwoChitting Potatoes: https://bit.ly/3d7Rs7fOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HProducts mentioned:Tulips: https://bit.ly/3d7RuMpPotatoes: https://bit.ly/3mIUTV7Potato Tubers: https://bit.ly/3wAXzZnGet 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

Companion planting is a win-win situation - you bring even more beautiful flowers into your garden, and they help each other to bloom. From pests to mildew to black spot, there’s a number of dangers that careful companion planting can solve naturally.In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Arthur offer tips on how to pick plants to protect one another, and Sarah gives us a Fish Cake recipe that offers a natural alternative to black pepper - the delicious Nasturtium.In this episode, discover:The 4 main types of companion plant you can sow How companion plants work together to help each other thriveKeeping mildew and black spot at bayPlanting nacotiana tobaccum as a natural alternative to a brassica cageIncluding Nasturtiums in Sarah’s delightful Fish Cake recipeOrder 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/3sae5xzProducts mentioned:Hardy Annual Cutting Patch Collection: https://bit.ly/2OtSxg2Perpetual Spinach: https://bit.ly/3rXav8aTomatoes: https://bit.ly/39KngN8Tagetes Linnaeus: https://bit.ly/3cTzKEjTagetes Patula x Erecta 'Konstance': https://bit.ly/2PuQbhvSalvia and Calendula Collection: https://bit.ly/2OnSJxaAllium Collection: https://bit.ly/39HzCFVNasturtium ‘Alaska’: https://bit.ly/31R1naIGet 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

We’re delighted to welcome a very special guest onto ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week, someone whose award-winning talent as a food writer, grower and photographer is matched by his enthusiasm for full-flavoured recipes - Mark Diacono.From a slip of the tongue that led to the inception of his ‘Charlie Mojito’, to complementing mint with lovely cosmos, and tips for growing each for yourself, this episode offers an entertaining snapshot of Mark’s passionate plant-growing at Otter Farm, and a sneak peek into his upcoming book release.In this episode, discover:Mark’s favourite mint for food recipes and to pair with a good ginThe strange story behind a very unique mojito recipeHow to arrange cosmos with mintTips on sowing cosmos, a great plant for beginnersMark’s ideal recipe for mint sauceOrder 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/3siLJBhProducts mentioned:Sorrel: https://bit.ly/39dHVJdCosmos: https://bit.ly/3rh5wPpMint: https://bit.ly/2PoH7dsMark Diacono - ‘Herb/a cook’s companion’: https://bit.ly/2PoHftsGet 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

If you’re looking to naturalise your garden with a sea of bulbs that even have a great vase life, then narcissi are a wonderful addition to your greenery. While some varieties fit the description of ‘rubber duck yellow’, those with rich colour and a rousing scent earn the respect of Sarah and Arthur.For this week’s edible veg, we hear about purple sprouting broccoli which, even during a time of year where it is notably harder to grow-your-own vegetables, is incredibly generous. Hear how Sarah includes purple sprouting in a lovely pasta dish, and Arthur’s advice on complementing them with aesthetically pleasing, round structures.In this episode, discover:How to naturalise your garden with an abundance of narcissiSarah and Arthur’s ideal selection of narcissiGrowing a generous crop of purple sprouting broccoliPairing purple sprouting with pasta for a delicious dishOrder 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/3xQFHcSProducts mentioned:Narcissi:Avalanche - https://bit.ly/3qmtEzHGeranium - http://bit.ly/3vGInctActea - https://bit.ly/3rmihJtSilver Chimes - http://bit.ly/2Nx5MfkPheasant’s Eye - http://bit.ly/3d4iPhhPurple Sprouting Broccoli - http://bit.ly/2QegQioJewel Stained Glass Vases - http://bit.ly/3tBFYOrGet 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

Our gardens have so much potential to become an oasis for birds and bees, and you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic beauty to make this happen. Arthur considers a butterfly or a bee on a flower similar to Gucci jewellery for your garden, so combining glamour and wildlife can be particularly rewarding; and now is the perfect time to sow for a bustling summer garden. Also discussed this week are courgettes - a particularly easy vegetable to sow with a wonderful range of recipes to use them in. As always, Sarah shares some of the courgette’s culinary uses, including an interesting anecdote on why you should always pick your courgettes more frequently than you might think...In this episode, discover:How to bring the best of wildlife gardening and regular gardening togetherBringing butterflies, bees and birds into your gardenSarah and Arthur’s three favourite courgettesNumerous delicious courgette recipesTips for sowing courgettes, and when best to pick themOrder 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/3lYmwuIProducts mentioned:Blue Bayou: https://bit.ly/2PxpIiJSunflower Pro Cut Plum: http://bit.ly/3qOlNLFCrocus: http://bit.ly/2PW9HTKDahlias: http://bit.ly/3bNovwpScabius: http://bit.ly/3bKXeuwThistles: https://bit.ly/3bOPs2ISalvias: http://bit.ly/3bPbToOOregano: http://bit.ly/3tjcDIpBorage: http://bit.ly/30H7uOjRosemary: https://bit.ly/3rl7kaNBuddleia Buzz: http://bit.ly/30HMcAbCourgettes:Tromboncino: http://bit.ly/3eG6SQXSerpent: http://bit.ly/3tf5bxWRomanesco: http://bit.ly/2NhKTELBianca: http://bit.ly/3cBF0uZSoleil - http://bit.ly/3lf6tqbGet 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

One of the key players in a colour-packed garden, and a true love of Sarah and Arthur’s, is the beautiful dahlia. With the low maintenance of a perennial and the growth of cut and come again flowers, it’s no wonder there’s barely a patch at Perch Hill that isn’t decorated with a ‘stained glass carpet’ of dahlias.Gracing your kitchen table this week, ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ covers rhubarb, a vegetable Arthur would consider right at home in a Beatrix Potter novel. Sarah shares her tasty Syllabub recipe, with some advice on growing rhubarb in a forcer for maximum sweetness.In this episode, discover…Using forcers to grow sweeter rhubarb for your cookingSarah’s delicious Syllabub recipeHow best to harvest rhubarb in candlelightRhubarb’s cultural importance on the West Coast of ScotlandThe origins of Sarah and Arthur’s love affair with dahliasBringing dahlias to flourishing growthSarah and Arthur’s ‘Desert Island dahlias’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/3iEnJW0Products mentioned:Hollywood Gladioli Collection: https://bit.ly/2OrCAXmRhubarb Collection: http://bit.ly/3uXPs8kRhubarb 'Victoria': http://bit.ly/3bl1VuWClassic Hyacinth Collection: http://bit.ly/2MQbVD7Narcissus 'Avalanche': http://bit.ly/3qmtEzHIris x hollandica 'Red Ember': http://bit.ly/3c78hgvCosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocolate': http://bit.ly/3uUz1cSCalendula officinalis 'Indian Prince': http://bit.ly/3sTuAguDahlia 'Bishop of Auckland': https://bit.ly/2ZJTnHCDahlia 'Blue Bayou': http://bit.ly/2PxpIiJDahlia 'Totally Tangerine': http://bit.ly/30gXTh2Dahlia 'Ripples': http://bit.ly/3uVgKMxDahlia 'Café au Lait': http://bit.ly/3qhzIJHDahlia 'Molly Raven': http://bit.ly/3bjH0INDahlia 'Schipper’s Bronze’: http://bit.ly/3c66jgpGet 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 may be no more grateful recipient of a lavish flower arrangement than a loving mother on Mother’s Day, and with that day right around the corner it seems high time to share Sarah and Arthur’s ideal bouquets! From picking and conditioning, right through to designing an incredible aesthetic ensemble, this edition of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ promises to bestow you with the picking knowledge that’s bound to put a beaming smile on any mother’s face.In this episode, discover…Sarah and Arthur’s ideal selection of freshly picked Mother’s Day flowersConditioning and preserving the flowers you pickPicking Euphorbia Oblongata safelyConstructing your aesthetically gorgeous arrangement with complementary foliageOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HSupporting factsheet: https://bit.ly/3rjTPY8Products mentioned:Classic Hyacinth Collection: https://bit.ly/2MQbVD7Classic Freesia Mix: http://bit.ly/2OrqmxECynara cardunculus (Cardoon): http://bit.ly/3kNjk2xArtichoke 'Violet de Provence': http://bit.ly/3kOz1GBRosemary 'Foxtail': http://bit.ly/3rl7kaNNarcissus 'Avalanche': https://bit.ly/3qmtEzHNarcissus 'Actaea': http://bit.ly/3rmihJtEuphorbia oblongata: http://bit.ly/2PymsDPGet 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

Adding tomatoes to a gorgeous soup recipe is one thing - however the delightful burst of flavour that can be gained by growing your own indigo rose tomatoes is unparalleled, not to mention their incredible health benefits! Bringing you the best methods for growing your own thriving tomato garden in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah and Arthur run through every step; from building the silver birch teepee to perfect picking.You’ll also find out how to propagate Arthur’s pick of the sweet peas, the vibrant, ‘acid pink’ Barry Dare, and what makes them the biggest cut and come again flower in the garden! In this episode, discover…The pleasant aromatic impact of growing your own tomatoesA number of scrumptious recipes for your tomatoesCreating a silver birch teepee for jungle climbersPicking and conditioning Arthur’s favourite sweet peas 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/3AyU0UHProducts mentioned:Cherry Tomato Collection: http://bit.ly/3bQmTRsEssential Tomato Seed Collection: http://bit.ly/37YRj2TSungold Tomato: http://bit.ly/308iDHqIndigo Rose Tomato: http://bit.ly/3sVzvxNTomato 'Noire de Crimèe': http://bit.ly/2NND3TSTagetes patula 'Strawberry Blonde': http://bit.ly/3uMMq6BTomato 'Stupicke Polni Rane': http://bit.ly/2PnCfVTAll sweet pea ranges: https://bit.ly/3bYBAlBSweet Pea 'Barry Dare': http://bit.ly/2PnCMHnSweet Pea 'Matucana': http://bit.ly/3bSSMZCGet 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

Anyone can start growing plants and veg from scratch, whether you have acres in abundance or just a promising windowsill! Using the right sowing system, you can adorn your windows with seed trays or square pots to create a sprawling oasis. Join Sarah Raven and Arthur Parkinson for this bonus episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ that will bring you up to speed on all things sowing. Sarah shares why she treats seeds like gold dust and how to keep them pristine for seasons to come, and Arthur divulges the secret to turning a windowsill into a bustling greenhouse of growth!In this episode, discover…Encouraging your children to take part in sowing with youGrowing from scratch, whether in the garden or on a windowsillTreating your seeds like gold dust and keeping them freshAll the various sowing systems you can useSarah’s four T’s for super sowingMaking your very own homemade propagatorSupporting factsheet: https://bit.ly/3bip0OUProducts mentioned:Shop seed trays: http://bit.ly/3sNcqx9Mini sowing kit: http://bit.ly/3e06oF1Shop compost: http://bit.ly/3q9UF9AJiffy pellets: http://bit.ly/3sMbwAGCosmos collections: http://bit.ly/3reGxwQBroad Bean collections: http://bit.ly/3reU0FcAll sweet pea ranges: https://bit.ly/3bYBAlBCapillary Matting: http://bit.ly/3843V8SNigella collections: http://bit.ly/3b5S0JzWindowsill Propagator Kit: http://bit.ly/3qeMXuxOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HGet 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

For the sheer delicacy of its outer petals, the crocus flower is a lovely choice to adorn your kitchen table, and a chance to put a little egg cup to wonderful use. Not only that, but they also play a crucial role in the survival of our pollinators!In this episode of grow, cook, eat, arrange Sarah Raven and Arthur Parkinson also share their love of chard, the envy of many a gardener come the winter months. While Arthur explains his reluctance to pick chard, Sarah has several satiating recipes for you to try with it, and explains why it’s best to sow it twice a year to make the most from chard all year round.You’ll also hear how you can bring vivid splashes of colour into your garden with one of the most vibrant and versatile plants - the antirrhinum!In this episode, discover…How to incorporate crocus in the home with egg cupsSarah’s tips for the fastest and most natural crocus plantingSowing chard twice a year for a colourful and delicious garden additionTwo sumptuous chard recipes to add depth to your cookingIncorporating antirrhinums in your garden for lavish splashes of colourView all products mentioned and find further advice from Sarah: https://bit.ly/2Ua7TJgProducts mentioned:Crocus Tommasinianus: http://bit.ly/3pNkQTbCrocus chrysanthus 'Snow Bunting': http://bit.ly/3snmTPkCrocus Vernus ‘Flower Record’: http://bit.ly/3umv941Crocus Minimus ‘ Spring Beauty’: http://bit.ly/3bxWyriSwiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’: http://bit.ly/3snGM8XAntirrhinum majus ‘Liberty Crimson’: http://bit.ly/3uokhmaSarah Raven Antirrhinum Collection: http://bit.ly/3aKIJ9NChantilly Series: http://bit.ly/3bAgycCOrder Sarah’s book: https://bit.ly/2TWHJczOrder Arthur’s book: https://bit.ly/3xOov7HGet 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