
grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
Welcome to grow, cook, eat, arrange, the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher,and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which places emphasis on intense colour, sophistication, and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation, and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful hints, listen and learn how to create your most productive garden ever. You can find out more about the products discussed in each episode or get in touch by visiting the website: https://www.sarahraven.com/
Latest episodes

Oct 31, 2024 • 34min
Bring small spaces alive with pots and bulb lasagnes with Jemima Bowker - Episode 196
Even in smaller, urban gardens and balcony spaces, you can breathe life into them with charming pots and bulb lasagnesCurating her own balcony garden with that vision of city-bound colour in mind, Jemima Bowker returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week to share with Sarah how she’s taking on the challenge of small space gardening for the autumn months, with fantastic tips aplenty for those of you doing the same.In this episode, discover:The small space gardening solutions that Jemima and Sarah suggest to maximise your limited spaces, like hanging window boxes and plant theatresTasks that you’ll want to do as we transition into autumn, and when to start planning your bulb displaysSarah guides Jemima through the art of creating stunning bulb lasagnas, with tips on selecting complementary varieties and planting in layersProducts mentioned:Thyme & Rosemary in Terracotta Potshttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/thyme-and-rosemary-in-terracotta-potsTulip 'Orange Marmalade'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-orange-marmaladeIris 'Purple Hill' (Reticulata)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-purple-hillTulip hageri 'Little Beauty'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulipa-hageri-little-beautyFritillaria meleagrishttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-meleagrisPlum and Apricot Tulip Mixhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/plum-and-apricot-tulip-collectionSarah Raven Tulip Collectionhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarah-raven-tulip-collectionTulip 'Slawa'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-slawaCosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocolate'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-atrosanguineus-chocolatePelargonium sidoides (Species)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-sidoidesPittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pittosporum-tenuifolium-bannow-bayViola cornuta 'Tiger Eye Red' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-cornuta-tiger-eye-red-f1Get 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

Oct 24, 2024 • 18min
The hedges perfect for creating a biodiversity haven with Adam Nicolson - Episode 195
Adam Nicolson, a biodiversity expert and author, shares his passion for hedges that create havens for wildlife. He explains how hedges foster birdlife, particularly songbirds, with species like yew and hornbeam. Listeners learn about the best times to plant and maintain these green barriers for optimal wildlife support. Nicolson also emphasizes designing gardens that invite butterflies and other pollinators, transforming spaces into vibrant ecological sanctuaries.

Oct 17, 2024 • 31min
Gardening with the creative vision of a Celebrity Hairstylist with Sam McKnight MBE - Episode 194
In this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Sarah is joined by celebrity hair stylist and keen gardener Sam McKnight MBE. Sam shares with Sarah his passion for gardening and how he indulges the solitude of the garden, as well as his fabulous career journey.Sam McKnight MBE is one of the most influential and celebrated hair stylists in the world today. His ethos ‘to empower women through hair’ has attracted an unparalleled list of collaborators from Vogue and Chanel to Princess Diana and Kate Moss. In this episode, discover:The origins of Sam’s staggering life in hairdressing and fashionCharming stories from the 7 years that Sam worked with Princess DianaSam’s relatively recent love of gardening, and which flowers are among the most inspiring that he growsProducts mentioned:Dahlia 'Café au Lait'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-laitDahlia 'Café au Lait Royal'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-lait-royalDahlia 'Labyrinth'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-labyrinthDahlia Cactus Group Mixhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cactus-group-mixGeranium 'Rozanne'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-rozanneGet 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

Oct 16, 2024 • 3min
Sarah’s exciting announcement of an industry-first BCorp status
Exciting news unfolds as Sarah Raven reveals her gardening business has achieved B Corp certification, a remarkable first in the online retail gardening world. The conversation dives into why this certification is crucial for fostering sustainability and biodiversity. Sarah emphasizes the importance of quality and its impact on the environment. Listeners learn about the company's vision for growth that prioritizes social responsibility and accountability, while also exploring how this change benefits gardeners and the planet alike.

Oct 15, 2024 • 11min
Q&A: Which bulbs do I need to plant as soon as they arrive? If I don’t lift my dahlias, when should I mulch them? Do I need to lift dahlias from pots? When, and how, do I store dahlias? What perennials can I plant this month?
Welcome to the October Q&A episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, where Sarah & Josie answer questions sent in by our lovely listeners each month. In this episode, Sarah shares which of the bulbs you should plant out as soon as you receive them and why, and Josie talks through when you should mulch dahlias if you’re not lifting them over winter.Josie also covers everything you need to know to prepare dahlias for the winter, from lifting them out of pots to knowing when & how to store them, and Sarah runs down the finest perennials that you can plant this month.Get 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

Oct 10, 2024 • 27min
Sarah Raven’s ultimate desert island bulbs - Episode 193
It’s prime bulb-planting time, and top of mind for Sarah right now is a stunning collection of colourful, inspiring bulbs to plant.This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is a must-listen for bulb fanatics, as Sarah talks us through her desert island bulbs, how to plant for colour succession in the spring months, and the delightful stories behind how some of Sarah’s favourite bulbs were discovered.In this episode, discover:Charming stories behind the discovery of some of Sarah’s favourite bulbs, including her namesake Tulip ‘Sarah Raven’A brand new variety of allium which earns its place in the company of the beloved schubertiiCollections of tulips perfect to create succession between months, loading your garden with constant colourThis week, don’t forget to make the most of our Bulb Bonanza - you can get up to 40% off of our autumn bulb range. The offer ends this weekend, learn more at https://www.sarahraven.com/.Products mentioned:Tulip 'Dom Pedro'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedroNarcissus 'Starlight Sensation'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensationAllium schubertii 'Arctic Snow'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertii-arctic-snowLilium 'Black Beauty'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lilium-black-beautyTulip 'Blue Heaven'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-blue-heavenTulip 'Orange Marmalade'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-orange-marmaladeTulip 'Sarah Raven'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-ravenTulip 'Queensday'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-queensdayTulip 'Danique'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-daniqueTulip 'Green Wave'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-green-waveTulip 'Green Spirit'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-green-spiritTulip 'Mystic van Eijk'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-mystic-van-eijkTulip 'Ice Stick'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-ice-stickIris 'Purple Hill' (Reticulata)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/iris-reticulata-purple-hillTulip 'Cadance'https://bit.ly/4eXIRALTulip 'Caviar' & Viola 'Phantom' F1https://bit.ly/47WWmOUGet 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

Oct 9, 2024 • 26min
Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Flower razzmatazz in easy talk-over-table flowers
Welcome to the last of our floristry mini-series, perfect for any social affair - Sarah takes you through how to compose a stunning arrangement in a bowl for table flowers.Step by step, you’ll see how she creates a natural scaffold through which the display emerges, and shares some of her favourite flowers and foliage to work with in an arrangement that’s both gorgeous and utterly relaxed.Products mentioned:Niwaki Pin Holderhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/niwaki-pin-holderFlexi-Tie Sethttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/flexi-tie-setHibiscus acetosella 'Mahogany Splendor'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hibiscus-acetosella-mahogany-splendorRosa rubrifolia (Shrub)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/rosa-glauca-syn-rubrifoliaSetaria 'Caramel'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/setaria-caramelDahlia 'Labyrinth'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-labyrinthDahlia 'Schipper’s Bronze’https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-schippers-bronzeDahlia 'Café au Lait'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-laitGet 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

Oct 3, 2024 • 24min
The joys of growing and cooking edible flowers with Carolyn Dunster - Episode 192
Flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, but there’s an art to the edible flower with which many of us are yet to experiment. It’s this art which is central to Carolyn Dunster’s latest book - this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ sees Arthur Parkinson explore Carolyn’s journey with edibles, the simplest and best varieties to grow yourself, and some marvellous recipe ideas to try at home.In this episode, discover:Carolyn’s first discovery of flowers being edible, and how that changed her perspective on growingWhy it’s so rewarding to plant your own flowers in the knowledge that they’re chemical-freeThe development of Carolyn’s simple, delicious, and visually stunning recipesGet 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

Oct 2, 2024 • 19min
Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series: Arranging at scale in our Favourite Jade Vase
Welcome to the latest in the Be Your Own Florist Mini-Series, this time showing you how to craft a stunning display in a vase.Any vase can be turned into a gorgeous arrangement, but Sarah shows how best to use the flared neck and wide belly of a vase like our own ‘Favourite Jade Vase’, bringing bombastic structure to your arrangement both upwards and outwards.Products mentioned:Favourite Jade Vasehttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/favourite-jade-vaseEucalyptus Stemshttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/eucalyptus-stemsThalictrum delavayihttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/thalictrum-delavayiPersicaria orientalishttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/persicaria-orientalisDahlia 'Molly Raven'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-ravenDahlia 'Caitlin's Joy'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-caitlins-joyDahlia 'Burlesca'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-burlescaGet 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

Oct 1, 2024 • 11min
This month in your garden: October
As days shorten and the cold rolls in, we’re prompted to undertake some key jobs in the garden this month, so join Sarah and Josie for October’s most important tasks in this special episode.Sarah and Josie share the need to plant out the likes of hardy annual salad leaves, and biennials if you’ve sown them already. They also touch on the need to harvest your pumpkins and squash, plus the perfect day of the year to plant out more of your tulip bulbs and vegetables.Get 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